#1 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Cate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Carpinteria, CA
A+Overall grade306 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 16 of 16 schools.
#2 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Providence School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Christian school in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
A+Overall grade295 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Laguna Blanca School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
AOverall grade422 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Crane Country Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Santa Barbara, CA
AOverall grade252 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Notre Dame School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 77% of Catholic schools in California
Santa Barbara, CA
AOverall grade75 students13 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Santa Ynez Valley Family School
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–5
Serving families in Los Olivos since at least 2011
Los Olivos, CA
AOverall grade61 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Waldorf School of Santa Barbara
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Goleta
Goleta, CA
AOverall grade115 students7 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Pacific Christian School
Assembly of God school · Grades K–8
The largest Christian school in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA
A-Overall grade392 students15 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
The Howard School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Carpinteria, CA
A-Overall grade80 students7 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 4 Catholic schools in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
B+Overall grade210 students17 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Coastline Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–8
The only Christian school in Goleta
Goleta, CA
B+Overall grade143 students14 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
The Riviera Ridge School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Santa Barbara, CA
B+Overall grade220 students8 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Santa Ynez Valley Christian Ac
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 43% since 2011–12
Santa Ynez, CA
B+Overall grade136 students14 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
La Purisima Concepcion School
Parish school · Grades K–8
The only Catholic school in Lompoc
Lompoc, CA
B+Overall grade131 students22 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
St. Mary of the Assumption School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 2 Catholic schools in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA
B-Overall grade218 students21 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Valley Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
One school from pre-K through 12th grade
Santa Maria, CA
B-Overall grade355 students16 students per teacher
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.