At a glance
Reported students
119
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
9.44
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
12.6:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California high enrollment
30th percentile
Compared with 2,195 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
425
Alta Vista Alternative High: 119 reported students.
State peer staffing position
21st percentile
12.6:1 reported; state peer median 19.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 126
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9.1
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.8:1
What the reported data says about Alta Vista Alternative High
Alta Vista Alternative High is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Santa Barbara. It is one of 21 current school records connected to Santa Barbara Unified. NCES reports 119 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,195 high schools in California with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 30th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 12.6:1, below the California median of 19.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (58.8%) and White (29.4%). English learners represent 10.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 26.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming, computer science. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Alta Vista Alternative High
- 1How do the reported 12.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 9.44 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 10.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 26.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 59.7%
- Lunch program
- Missing
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White29.4%
- Hispanic58.8%
- Black0%
- Asian5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
No students enrolled reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Santa Barbara Unified
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
La Cuesta Continuation High
High · Grades 09–12
77 reported students
Santa Barbara Senior High
High · Grades 09–12
1,924 reported students
San Marcos Senior High
High · Grades 09–12
1,926 reported students
Dos Pueblos Senior High
High · Grades 09–12
2,149 reported students
Santa Barbara Community Academy
Elementary · Grades KG–06
221 reported students
Alta Vista
Middle · Grades 07–08
2 reported students
Public schools near Alta Vista Alternative High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Cuesta Continuation High High · Santa Barbara Unified | 09–12 | 77 | under 0.1 mi |
| Santa Barbara Senior High High · Santa Barbara Unified | 09–12 | 1,924 | 0.6 mi |
| Santa Barbara County ROP-South High · Santa Barbara County ROP | 09–12 | 0 | 4.7 mi |
| Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court High · Santa Barbara County Office of Education | 05–12 | 31 | 4.7 mi |
| Santa Barbara County Community High · Santa Barbara County Office of Education | 05–12 | 27 | 4.7 mi |
| San Marcos Senior High High · Santa Barbara Unified | 09–12 | 1,926 | 5.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Alta Vista Alternative High
What grades does Alta Vista Alternative High serve?
Alta Vista Alternative High reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school (alternative school) in Santa Barbara Unified.
How many students attend Alta Vista Alternative High?
Alta Vista Alternative High reported 119 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 30th percentile among 2,195 California high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 126 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Alta Vista Alternative High?
The calculated ratio is 12.6:1, based on 119 students and 9.44 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The California median for the same school level is 19.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Alta Vista Alternative High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Alta Vista Alternative High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Santa Barbara Unified attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Alta Vista Alternative High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
59.7% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Alta Vista Alternative High in?
Alta Vista Alternative High is part of Santa Barbara Unified, based in Santa Barbara, CA, which operates 21 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Alta Vista Alternative High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include La Cuesta Continuation High (under 0.1 mi), Santa Barbara Senior High (0.6 mi), Santa Barbara County ROP-South (4.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.