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Tivoli Square SolvangPhoto: Allie_Caulfield · CC BY 2.0
A
Schools in Solvang · Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, Solvang Elementary School District

Solvang’s public schools outscore 86% of California districts

48% of students in Solvang’s public schools are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Solvang, 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.

#107of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
65%
▲ 18 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
48%
▲ 15 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
19.2
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
1,403 students on the public path
In brief

Solvang’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 543 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Solvang’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 86% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Solvang runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

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

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 65% and math 48% 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 Solvang Elementary $14,709, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Solvang’s grade

A Test scoresB− Graduation

A: better than 86% of California school districts, #107 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 86%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (543)Better than 96%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 508 test results and a graduating class of 187 could put Solvang anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 89% of Solvang’s students in the tested grades sat them (509 in math, 508 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–8Solvang ElementarySolvang Elementary School DistrictA−
9–12Santa Ynez Valley Union HighSanta Ynez Valley Union High School DistrictNo scores

Solvang runs its own schools through grade 8 (Solvang Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, shared with Buellton. Its high school is in Solvang. Parts of Solvang (6% of its land) are served by Ballard Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Solvang

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−
Solvang Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 1 schools · 602 students · 19.4 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$14,709CA $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, Solvang Elementary School District62%
State average 46.7% · 346 students tested
Math · K–8, Solvang Elementary School District53%
State average 33.1% · 346 students tested

Solvang vs. its neighbors

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

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

Every school in Solvang

2 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 Solvangby address
Solvang Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8
A−
602 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Solvangin other towns
Santa Ynez Valley Union High
High · Grades 9–12
801 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Solvang’s schools

Are Solvang’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Solvang children attend outscore 86% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #107 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Solvang in?

Two districts: Solvang Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Buellton.

Where do Solvang kids go to high school?

Santa Ynez Valley Union High, with 801 students.

What is Solvang’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 Solvang spend per student?

$18,615 in Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District and $14,709 in Solvang Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Solvang families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Solvang → 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.