For the 2025 school year, there are 39 private schools serving 6,322 students in Santa Barbara County, CA (there are 127 public schools, serving 66,626 public students). 9% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara County, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 11%).
The top ranked private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA include Cate School, Dunn School, and Bishop Garcia Diego High School.
The average tuition cost is $36,056, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,218.
Top Ranked Santa Barbara County Private Schools (2025)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Fusion Academy Santa Barbara![Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting. Fusion Academy Santa Barbara Photo - Classes at Fusion are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. Students have different teachers for different subjects, and teachers act as mentors in the one-to-one setting.]()

Alternative School
510 State Street, 2nd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(877) 673-8893
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(877) 673-8893
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
4000 La Colina Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1266
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 967-1266
Grades: 9-12
| 282 students
1795 San Leandro Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-7732
Grades: K-8
| 260 students
The Knox School Of Santa Barbara
Special Program Emphasis
1525 Santa Barbara St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 222-0107
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 222-0107
Grades: K-8
| 39 students
Midland School![Midland School Photo - How is Midland different? Our 4:1 student to faculty ratio allows for small class sizes and close-knit relationships. With under 90 students, everyone knows your name. No cell phones here, but Midlanders do spend a lot of time together in real life: horseback riding, hiking, gardening, creating art, building things, and envisioning an environmentally sustainable and just future. Midland School Photo - How is Midland different? Our 4:1 student to faculty ratio allows for small class sizes and close-knit relationships. With under 90 students, everyone knows your name. No cell phones here, but Midlanders do spend a lot of time together in real life: horseback riding, hiking, gardening, creating art, building things, and envisioning an environmentally sustainable and just future.]()

Special Program Emphasis
5100 Figueroa Mountain Rd
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5114
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5114
Grades: 9-12
| 72 students
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School![Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School Photo Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School Photo]()

(Catholic)
530 Hot Springs Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-5965
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-5965
Grades: PK-8
| 188 students
Pacific Christian School
(Assembly of God)
3435 Santa Maria Way
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 934-1253
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 934-1253
Grades: K-6
| 314 students
Providence School
(Christian)
3225 Calle Pinon
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 962-3091
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 962-3091
Grades: NS-12
| 379 students
2130 Mission Ridge Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 569-1811
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 569-1811
Grades: PK-8
| 243 students
St. Joseph High School
(Catholic)
4120 S Bradley Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2038
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2038
Grades: 9-12
| 488 students
5095 Harp Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-5571
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-5571
Grades: K-8
| 300 students
St. Mary Of Assumption School![St. Mary Of Assumption School Photo - St. Mary's Preschool provides children 2-5 years old the opportunity to begin thier life of learning in a safe environment grounded in Catholic values. St. Mary Of Assumption School Photo - St. Mary's Preschool provides children 2-5 years old the opportunity to begin thier life of learning in a safe environment grounded in Catholic values.]()

(Catholic)
424 E. Cypress Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-6713
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 925-6713
Grades: PK-8
| 228 students
St. Raphael Elementary School![St. Raphael Elementary School Photo St. Raphael Elementary School Photo]()

(Catholic)
160 Saint Josephs St
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 967-2115
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 967-2115
Grades: PK-8
| 283 students
1321 Alameda Padre Serra
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 682-2989
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 682-2989
Grades: 6-9
| 181 students
Valley Christian Academy
(Baptist)
2970 Santa Maria Way
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-6317
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-6317
Grades: K-12
| 388 students
Agape School Of Christian Education
(Christian)
109 W Fesler St
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(180) 587-8872
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(180) 587-8872
Grades: 3-11
| 6 students
4500 Highway 154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 701-4036
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 701-4036
Grades: PK-8
| 8 students
Children's House Montessori School
Montessori School
1331 East Foster Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-0991
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-0991
Grades: PK-K
| 28 students
1000 W. Ocean Ave.
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 757-6263
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 757-6263
Grades: PK-6
| 19 students
Coast Hills Baptist School
(Baptist)
650 W Rice Ranch Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-7291
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-7291
Grades: 4-12
| 11 students
Coastline Christian Academy![Coastline Christian Academy Photo Coastline Christian Academy Photo]()

(Christian)
5950 Cathedral Oaks Rd
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-5834
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 967-5834
Grades: K-8
| 142 students
3324 State St Ste M
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-9031
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-9031
Grades: 10-12
| 7 students
5300 Figueroa Mountain Road
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5440
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-5440
Grades: PK-5
| 93 students
First Presbyterian Church Early Childhood Center
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
21 E. Constance Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-6362
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-6362
Grades: NS-PK
| 68 students
2300 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-3717
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-3717
Grades: K-12
| 137 students
Grace Christian Academy![Grace Christian Academy Photo - 1 of G.C.A. classrooms Grace Christian Academy Photo - 1 of G.C.A. classrooms]()

(Pentecostal)
816 N C St
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-9826
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-9826
Grades: K-12
| 6 students
La Purisima Concepcion School
(Catholic)
219 W Olive Ave
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-6210
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-6210
Grades: PK-8
| 173 students
Montessori Center School![Montessori Center School Photo Montessori Center School Photo]()

Montessori School
401 N Fairview Ave # 1
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 693-9383
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 693-9383
Grades: PK-6
| 235 students
Notre Dame School![Notre Dame School Photo - Notre Dame School is a Catholic elementary school in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Notre Dame School Photo - Notre Dame School is a Catholic elementary school in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.]()

(Catholic)
33 E Micheltorena St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-1033
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-1033
Grades: PK-8
| 115 students
St. Therese Classical Academy
(Catholic)
33 E Micheltorena St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 683-1111
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 683-1111
Grades: 5-12
| 20 students
Show 4 more private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA (out of 39 total schools)
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Santa Barbara County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Christian Life School (Closed 2004)
(Pentecostal)
709 N Curryer St
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 928-3713
Santa Maria, CA 93458
(805) 928-3713
Grades: K-6
| 95 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA?
The top ranked private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA include Cate School, Dunn School, and Bishop Garcia Diego High School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Barbara County?
39 private schools are located in Santa Barbara County.
How much do private schools cost in Santa Barbara County?
The average tuition cost is $36,056, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,218.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Barbara County?
Santa Barbara County private schools are approximately 39% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Santa Barbara County go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in Santa Barbara County are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 11%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Santa Barbara County?
Which private schools in Santa Barbara County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Santa Barbara County include: Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy vs. St. Louis De Montfort, Grace Christian Academy vs. La Purisima Concepcion School, St. Louis De Montfort vs. St. Mary Of Assumption School
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