Santa Barbara Junior High

Santa Barbara Junior High sits in one of California's most beautiful coastal cities, but families should know that academics here are a work in progress — English scores in particular trail well behind state averages, even as math and science show more promise. The school may appeal to families who value the broader Santa Barbara lifestyle and are prepared to supplement at home or lean on tutoring, especially for reading and writing. For those already rooted in the area's relaxed, beach-adjacent culture, it's a neighborhood school that reflects the real diversity of a city that looks picture-perfect from the outside but has plenty of everyday complexity within.