Total enrollment
13,272
-1,878 (-12%) vs SY 2017-18
35 schools in Santa Barbara
California · Public K-12
Parents in Santa Barbara have 35 public K-12 options when picking a school, with combined enrollment near 13,272 students (21 elementary, 4 middle, and 7 high).
7-year change in Santa Barbara
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
32
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
32%
was 36%
% Hispanic
58%
was 58%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
2%
was 3%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
About Santa Barbara
Across Santa Barbara, California, 35 public schools serves about 13,272 students between them.
For a sense of the school types, the city spans 21 elementary, 4 middle, 7 high, and 3 other.
Average school size in Santa Barbara is around 379 students, 34% below the California average of about 578.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 13,272 students, contracted 12% from the 15,150 reported in SY 2017-18. Demographically, the White share of enrollment contracted from 36% to 32%.
On this page, the community for Santa Barbara discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.