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2025-26 School Profile

School and Community: The Santa Barbara Dons

Santa Barbara High School (SBHS), founded in 1875, is the third-oldest high school in California. SBHS is a comprehensive 9th-12th-grade Public High School. Occupying a 44-acre urban campus, the current Spanish-style school was built in 1924. With a rich history, SBHS is known throughout the community as the "Home of the Dons." The sense of pride and tradition is palpable here!

  • Approximately 63% of students are identified as socioeconomically disadvantaged.
  • Counselor-to-student ratio 296 to 1
  • Enrollment for Fall 2025: Seniors 468, Juniors 474, Sophomores 427, Freshmen 407

Graduation Requirements

Santa Barbara High School students are required to earn a minimum of 220 credits, five (5) credits for each term class passed with a "D-" or better. These include:

  • 4 Years of English
  • 3 Years of Mathematics (including Common Core Math 1 or Higher)
  • 3 Years of Social Science
  • 2 Years of Science
  • 2 Years of Physical Education
  • 1 Year of Language other than English (LOTE) or Visual/Performing Arts
  • 2 years of Additional College Preparatory Coursework or Career Technical Education
  • 1 Semester of Health
  • 1 Course of Ethnic Studies
  • 4.5 years of Electives
  • 9th and 10th grade students are required to take 4 classes per semester. 
  • 11th and 12th grade students are required to take at least 3 classes per semester. 
  • Students are required to complete 60 hours of Service Learning (Community Service or Unpaid Internship) to meet the Santa Barbara Unified School District graduation requirement.

Grading System and Class Rank

  • GPA is computed both weighted and non-weighted. Grade point averages are computed on a four (4) point scale: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.
  • All Honors, AP and Dual Enrollment courses are weighted on a five (5) point scale.
  • Santa Barbara Unified School District does not utilize class rank.

Transcript

  • “+” or “a” designates an Honors, SBCC Dual Enrollment, or Advanced Placement class and is used in computing the weighted GPA
  • “R” indicates a repeated class for no credit
  • “P” indicates a college preparatory class
  • Universal Access - All students in 9th & 10th grade English courses have the opportunity to earn honors credit by consistently exceeding grade level standards on common assessments. Students collaborate with teachers for this Honors credit.