Photo: Taken by Antandrus · Public domainBuellton’s public schools outscore 70% of California districts
Reading proficiency in Buellton’s districts is 55%, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Buellton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Buellton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 576 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Buellton’s, its schools beat 77%, higher than their 70% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Buellton runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Oak Valley Elementary (K–5) and Jonata Middle (6–8) are Buellton’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District with Solvang: Santa Ynez Valley Union High in Solvang. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 36% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Buellton Union Elementary spends $30,433 per student and Santa Ynez Valley Union High $18,615, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Buellton’s grade
B+: better than 70% of California school districts, #246 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Buellton, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Buellton
Oak Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 377 students · 21:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Buellton
Oak Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 377 students · 21:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Buellton
Oak Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 377 students · 21:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Buellton
Oak Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 377 students · 21:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Buellton
Oak Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 377 students · 21:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Buellton
Oak Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 377 students · 21:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Buellton
Jonata Middle
Grades 6–8 · 168 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Buellton
Jonata Middle
Grades 6–8 · 168 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Buellton
Jonata Middle
Grades 6–8 · 168 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Buellton
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Solvang
10th grade in Buellton
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Solvang
Buellton runs its own schools through grade 8 (Buellton Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, shared with Solvang. Its high school is in Solvang. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Buellton
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Buellton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Buellton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Buellton | B+ | Buellton Union Elementary K–8 · Santa Ynez Valley Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Buellton
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Buellton’s schools
Are Buellton’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Buellton children attend outscore 70% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #246 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Buellton in?
Two districts: Buellton Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Solvang.
Where do Buellton kids go to high school?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High in Solvang, with 801 students.
What is Buellton’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Buellton spend per student?
$30,433 in Buellton Union Elementary School District and $18,615 in Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Buellton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buellton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.