#1 Best Private Middle 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 Middle Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Private schools in Santa Barbara County, CA with middle-school grades and the highest overall grades. Top 18 of 18 schools.
#2 Best Private Middle Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Dunn School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The largest independent school in Los Olivos
Los Olivos, CA
A+Overall grade218 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Middle 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
#4 Best Private Middle 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
#5 Best Private Middle 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
#6 Best Private Middle 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
#7 Best Private Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 Middle Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Santa Barbara Middle School
Alternative school · Grades 6–9
Growing: enrollment up 47% since 2011–12
Santa Barbara, CA
B+Overall grade185 students9 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Middle 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
#16 Best Private Middle Schools in Santa Barbara County, CA
Fusion Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
One of 7 independent schools in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
B-Overall grade95 students11 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Middle 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
#18 Best Private Middle 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.