Photo: Pgnielsen79 · CC BY 3.0Santa Paula’s public schools score below 65% of California districts on tests and graduation
In Santa Paula, 16% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Santa Paula, 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 97% 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.
Santa Paula’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 545 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Santa Paula’s, its schools beat 19%, lower than their 35% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $23,745 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Isbell Middle, then Santa Paula High. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Sebastian School (private) is in town. Santa Paula Unified School District Independent Studies, 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 Santa Paula’s grade
C+: better than 35% of California school districts, #687 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Santa Paula, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Santa Paula
Isbell Middle
Grades 7–8 · 634 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Santa Paula
Isbell Middle
Grades 7–8 · 634 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Santa Paula
Santa Paula High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Santa Paula
Santa Paula High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Santa Paula
Santa Paula High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Santa Paula
Santa Paula High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Santa Paula’s public schools are run by Santa Paula Unified School District. Parts of Santa Paula (8% and 7% of its land) are served by Santa Paula Unified and Briggs Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Santa Paula vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Santa Paula’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Paula | C+ | Santa Paula Unified |
Every school in Santa Paula
11 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 Santa Paula’s schools
Are Santa Paula’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Santa Paula children attend score below 65% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #687 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Santa Paula in?
Santa Paula Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,570 students in 10 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Santa Paula are served by Santa Paula Unified and Briggs Elementary.
Where do Santa Paula kids go to high school?
Santa Paula High, with 1,494 students.
What is Santa Paula’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Santa Paula Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Santa Paula spend per student?
$23,745 in Santa Paula Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Santa Paula?
Yes: St. Sebastian School (Catholic, grades K–8, 150 students).
Parents talk
What Santa Paula families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Paula → 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.