2026 lists
Private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA with the highest overall grades. Top 22 of 22 schools.
#1 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 86% of Catholic schools in California
Santa Barbara, CA
#2 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Carpinteria, CA
#3 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The largest independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
#4 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Christian school in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
#5 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
#6 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Santa Barbara, CA
#7 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of Catholic schools in California
Santa Barbara, CA
#8 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–5
Serving families in Los Olivos since at least 2011
Los Olivos, CA
#9 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
#10 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Goleta
Goleta, CA
#11 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Assembly of God school · Grades K–8
The largest Christian school in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA
#12 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Carpinteria, CA
#13 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
Serving families in Santa Maria since at least 2011
Santa Maria, CA
#14 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 4 Catholic schools in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
#15 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–8
The only Christian school in Goleta
Goleta, CA
#16 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Santa Barbara, CA
#17 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 43% since 2011–12
Santa Ynez, CA
#18 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Alternative school · Grades 6–9
Growing: enrollment up 47% since 2011–12
Santa Barbara, CA
#19 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Parish school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Lompoc
Lompoc, CA
#20 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Independent school · Grades 6–12
One of 7 independent schools in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
#21 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 2 Catholic schools in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA
#22 Best Private Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
One school from pre-K through 12th grade
Santa Maria, CA
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.