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Santa YnezPhoto: Saschaporsche · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Santa Ynez · Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, College Elementary School District

Santa Ynez’s public schools outscore 81% of California districts

68% of students in Santa Ynez’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Santa Ynez, 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.

#156of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% 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.

Reading proficiency
68%
▲ 21 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▲ 6 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 4–8 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.6K
▼ 12% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Santa Ynez Valley Union High
Students per teacher
18.0
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
976 students on the public path
In brief

Santa Ynez’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 531 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Santa Ynez’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Santa Ynez runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

College Elementary (K) and Santa Ynez Elementary (1–8) are Santa Ynez’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District with Buellton and Solvang: Santa Ynez Valley Union High. See the path ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 68% and math 39% 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 College Elementary $23,413, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Santa Ynez Valley Charter and Santa Ynez Valley Christian Ac (private) are 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Santa Ynez’s grade

A− Test scoresB− Graduation

A−: better than 81% of California school districts, #156 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 81%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (531)Better than 87%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 282 test results and a graduating class of 187 could put Santa Ynez anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Santa Ynez’s students in the tested grades sat them (282 in math, 282 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Santa Ynez, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
KCollege ElementaryCollege Elementary School DistrictNo scores
1–8Santa Ynez ElementaryCollege Elementary School DistrictB
9–12Santa Ynez Valley Union HighSanta Ynez Valley Union High School DistrictNo scores

Santa Ynez runs its own schools through grade 8 (College Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, shared with Buellton and Solvang. Parts of Santa Ynez (11% and 10% of its land) are served by Ballard Elementary and Solvang Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Santa Ynez

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 2 schools · 812 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 19.2 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$18,615CA $21,206 · FY2024
A−
College Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 2 schools · 175 students, down 9% since 2020–21 · 14.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$23,413CA $21,206 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District72%
State average 46.7% · 162 students tested
Math · 9–12, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District37%
State average 33.1% · 163 students tested
Reading · K–8, College Elementary School District62%
State average 46.7% · 120 students tested
Math · K–8, College Elementary School District42%
State average 33.1% · 119 students tested

Santa Ynez vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Santa Ynez’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Santa YnezA−College Elementary K–8 · Santa Ynez Valley Union High 9–12
SolvangASolvang Elementary K–8 · Santa Ynez Valley Union High 9–12

Every school in Santa Ynez

5 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).

District schools in Santa Ynezby address
College Elementary
Elementary · Grades K
28 students14:1Rate it →
Santa Ynez Elementary
Elementary · Grades 1–8
B
147 students14:1Rate it →
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
High · Grades 9–12 · Solvang
801 students19:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Santa Ynez Valley Charter
Elementary · Grades K–8
B
Charter
189 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Santa Ynez Valley Christian Ac
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
151 students15:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Refugio High).

Questions about Santa Ynez’s schools

Are Santa Ynez’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Santa Ynez children attend outscore 81% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #156 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Santa Ynez in?

Two districts: College 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 Santa Ynez kids go to high school?

Santa Ynez Valley Union High in Solvang, with 801 students.

What is Santa Ynez’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 Santa Ynez spend per student?

$18,615 in Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District and $23,413 in College Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Santa Ynez?

Yes: Santa Ynez Valley Christian Ac (religious, grades PK–8, 151 students). Santa Ynez also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Santa Ynez families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Ynez → 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.