South Coast Montessori (2026-27 Profile)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

School Type: Montessori School
Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
Enrollment: 92 students
Yearly Tuition: $16,840
Acceptance rate: 97%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

South Coast Montessori ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Type

Montessori School

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-Kindergarten

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	South Coast Montessori
Nursery	16
Pre-K	56
Kind	3
5	5
8	12

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Year Founded

1984

School Motto

Education for Life.

Student Body

Total Students

92 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

100%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

1 teacher

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

45%

Average Class Size

12 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

No commercial advertising or TV images on clothing

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$16,840

View national tuition avg.

% on Financial Aid

55%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$7,000

Acceptance Rate

97%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Heidi Goodwin

Application URL

Online Application

School Notes

The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara is committed to providing a healthy, broad, reverent education that honors the head, heart, hands -- the whole -- of the child.
Drawing on a rigorous, developmentally appropriate, and beauty-attuned curriculum, our Waldorf education cultivates the full flowering of the individual student and the community at large, understanding the profound interdependence of both.
The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara seeks to not merely reflect society but help guide and shape it. .

If I had a child of school age, I would send him to one of the Waldorf Schools. -- Saul Bellow, Nobel Literature Laureate
The advent of the Waldorf Schools was in my opinion the greatest contribution to world peace and understanding of the century. -- Willy Brandt, former Chancellor of West Germany, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Waldorf education encouraged me to always strive to become a better human being. --Jens Stoltenberg,former Prime Minister of Norway
Among the alternatives, the Waldorf school represents a chance for every child to grow and learn according to the most natural rhythms of life. For the early school child, this means a non-competitive, non-combative environment in which the wonders of science and literature fill the day without causing anxiety and confusion. For the older child, it offers a curriculum that addresses the question of why they are learning. I have sent two of my children to Waldorf schools and they have been wonderfully well served. --Raymond McDermott, Ph.D., Professor of Education andAnthropology, Stanford University
At a time of searching and reappraisal in education, the Waldorf movement, with its unique understanding of the education of the child, and its years of teaching practice and experience, deserves the informed consideration of those genuinely concerned with education and the development of human wholeness. --Douglas Sloan, Ph.D.,Professor of History and Education,Columbia University
There is no task of greater importance than to give our children the very best preparation for the demands of an ominous future, a preparation that aims at the methodical cultivation of their spiritual and their moral gifts. As long as the exemplary work of the Waldorf School Movement continues to spread its influence as it has done over the past decades, we can all look forward with hope. I am sure that Rudolf Steiner`s work for children must be considered a central contribution to the twentieth century and I feel it deserves the support of all freedom-loving thinking people. -- Bruno Walter, Composer and Conductor
The beauty of the Waldorf School is that it is designed entirely to keep children intact until they are ready to move out into the world as whole individuals. -- Joseph Chilton Pearce, Author of "The Magical Child"

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does South Coast Montessori cost?

South Coast Montessori's tuition is approximately $16,840 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of South Coast Montessori?

The acceptance rate of South Coast Montessori is 97%, which is higher than the national average of 80%.

When is the application deadline for South Coast Montessori?

The application deadline for South Coast Montessori is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (3 reviews)

5 5/17/2016

The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara is an incredible school with a strong and committed faculty, students who race to their classrooms each morning, eager and excited to learn, and a passionate, community-driven parent body. As an employee of the school, it is a lovely place to work; the atmosphere is warm, full of heart, surrounded by colleagues, parents and faculty who deeply care about what they do. This love for one's respective work is palpable when you step on campus; this school is a living model of community in action, working together to create good in the world, working together to nurture and support the children into becoming their brightest selves.

- Posted by Administrator - nita

5 1/24/2016

My daughter is in the first grade and in her third year with the school. I was looking for a school that would honor my daughters true self and provide her with the whole self learning. I didn't want her to be mearly a test score and number, I want her to be nurtured and taught to utilize all aspects of her creative mind, body and spirit. I am so grateful we have a Waldorf school in Santa Barbara steeped in the rich traditions of Waldorf education. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a full enriching education for their child or children.

- Posted by Parent - hbond

5 3/5/2015

Both of my sons attended the Waldorf School of Santa Barbara from preschool through the eighth grade. I am very grateful they were been able to do so. It has been a great gift to them and to our family. It offers a broad, deep education that integrates creativity into academic learning through art, music, movement and practical skills. Waldorf education honors each individual while supporting their growth into their fullest possible selves. The children gain confidence and a strong sense of self, along with respect for others and for the world around them. Along the way they are given a solid academic foundation for the journeys to come. They are well prepared for the transition to high school and beyond. Thank you Waldorf School!

- Posted by Parent - lisa.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Santa Barbara County, CA is $27,538 for elementary schools and $43,101 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Santa Barbara County, CA is 61% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).