Photo: John Wiley User:Jw4nvc - Santa Barbara, California · CC BY 3.0Goleta’s public schools outscore 91% of California districts
56% of students in Goleta’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Goleta, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. 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 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2020’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Goleta’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 464 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Goleta’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 91% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 63% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,822 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Santa Barbara Charter, Coastline Christian Academy (private), Waldorf School of Santa Barbara (private) and South Coast Montessori (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Goleta’s grade
A: better than 91% of California school districts, #66 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; there is no graduation rate to add.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Goleta, with each school’s own grade.
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Goleta
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
Goleta vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Goleta’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Goleta | A | Goleta Union Elementary K–6 · Santa Barbara Unified |
| Santa Barbara | B+ | Santa Barbara Unified |
Every school in Goleta
10 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 Goleta’s schools
Are Goleta’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Goleta children attend outscore 91% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #66 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020.
What school district is Goleta in?
Santa Barbara Unified School District, which runs grades and enrolls 0 students in 0 schools (2024–25).
How much does Goleta spend per student?
$21,822 in Goleta Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Goleta?
Yes: Coastline Christian Academy (religious, grades K–8, 143 students), Waldorf School of Santa Barbara (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 139 students) and South Coast Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 86 students). Goleta also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Goleta families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Goleta → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2020) 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.