Photo: Damian Gadal · CC BY 2.0Los Olivos’s public schools outscore 85% of California districts
Reading proficiency in Los Olivos’s districts is 68%, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Los Olivos, 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 89% 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.
Los Olivos’s schools, in brief
Los Olivos runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Los Olivos Elementary (K–8) is Los Olivos’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District with Buellton and Solvang: Santa Ynez Valley Union High in Solvang. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 68% and math 45% 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
Santa Ynez Valley Union High spends $18,615 per student and Los Olivos Elementary $16,298, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Dunn School (private) is in town. 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 Los Olivos’s grade
A: better than 85% of California school districts. 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 Los Olivos, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Elementary
Grades K–8 · 159 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Los Olivos
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Solvang
10th grade in Los Olivos
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Solvang
Los Olivos runs its own schools through grade 8 (Los Olivos Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, shared with Buellton and Solvang. Its high school is in Solvang. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Los Olivos
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
Los Olivos vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Los Olivos’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Los Olivos | A | Los Olivos Elementary K–8 · Santa Ynez Valley Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Los Olivos
3 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 Los Olivos’s schools
Are Los Olivos’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Los Olivos children attend outscore 85% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Los Olivos in?
Two districts: Los Olivos Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Buellton and Solvang.
Where do Los Olivos kids go to high school?
Santa Ynez Valley Union High in Solvang, with 801 students.
What is Los Olivos’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 Los Olivos spend per student?
$18,615 in Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District and $16,298 in Los Olivos Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Los Olivos?
Yes: Dunn School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 218 students).
Parents talk
What Los Olivos families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Los Olivos → 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.