Public · Santa Barbara Unified School District · Est. 1966
Dos Pueblos High School
Last updated 2024. How we source this →
Quick facts
- Grades served
- 9-12
- Enrollment
- 2,187
- Founded
- 1966
- Student–teacher ratio
- 22.48:1
- Mascot
- Chargers (Charlie the Charger Horse)
- School colors
- Navy and Vegas gold
- Principal
- Bill Woodard
- Phone
- (805) 968-2541
- Website
- dphs.sbunified.org
About
Established in 1966, Dos Pueblos High School is part of the Santa Barbara Unified School District but sits just west of the city in Goleta. It is best known for the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy, a competitive four-year program founded by MacArthur Fellow Amir Abo-Shaeer, and for offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. Its Mock Trial team has won state (2016) and world (2015) championships.
Academics & public data
Academic indicators
- Average GPA
- 3.66 (recent, Niche)
- Average SAT
- ~1300 (recent, Niche)
- Niche grade
- A+ (2026, Niche)
- Average SAT/ACT
- Not published; prior '~1300 SAT (Niche)' could not be re-verified this session (Niche HTTP 403). The DPHS profile publishes a weighted-GPA distribution but no single average GPA, so the prior '3.66' is unverified.
- Graduation rate
- 96% (2023, U.S. News; CA avg 87%; top ~10% statewide)
- AP exam pass rate
- School-reported: 607 students took 992 AP exams, 84% scored 3+ across 14 subjects (2024-25, DPHS Counseling School Profile, self-reported). NOTE: SARC reports only 20.4% of students enrolled in AP courses and 21 AP courses offered (2023-24); the 84% is the school's own pass figure, not a U.S. News/CDE figure.
- College-going rate
- Class of 2025 post-secondary enrollment ~99% (4-year college 50.6%, 2-year college 48.7%, other 1.2%; high 2-year share attributed to the SBCC Promise free-tuition program) (2025-26, DPHS Counseling School Profile, self-reported)
- A-G completion rate
- 78.57% of 2022-23 graduates completed all courses required for UC/CSU admission; 98.89% of 2023-24 pupils were enrolled in UC/CSU-required courses (2023-24 SARC, sarconline.org / CDS 42767864231726)
- GreatSchools rating
- 9/10 (2026, GreatSchools — re-confirmed this session)
- US News national rank
- #1,781 nationally; 242nd in California (2024, U.S. News)
- CAASPP ELA proficiency
- 68.6% met/exceeded (2023-24, PublicSchoolReview/Niche via CDE; ~70% reported for 2022)
- CAASPP Math proficiency
- 45.7% met/exceeded (2023, PublicSchoolReview via CDE)
- CAASPP Science proficiency
- 46.6% met/exceeded (2023-24, PublicSchoolReview via CDE)
- US News AP participation rate
- 46% (2024, U.S. News)
Funding
- Per-pupil spending
- $16,835 per student, district-wide (Santa Barbara Unified, ~2021-24, U.S. News/NCES; not school-specific)
- District budget context
- Part of Santa Barbara Unified School District
Data as of 2024.
AP & advanced coursework
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Chemistry
- AP Computer Science
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP Environmental Science
- AP French Language and Culture
- AP Human Geography
- AP Macroeconomics
- AP Physics 1
- AP Psychology
- AP Spanish Language and Culture
- AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
- AP Studio Art: Drawing
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP World History
17 AP courses offered (2025-26, DPHS Counseling School Profile). AP participation/results 2024-25: 607 students took 992 AP exams, 84% scored 3 or higher across 14 subjects. SEPARATELY, Dos Pueblos offers a full IB Diploma Programme (16 IB courses, three pathways: Full IB Diploma, IB Merit Scholar, IB Course Candidate); IB 2024-25: 143 students took 286 IB exams, 90% scored 4+ across 15 subjects. AP/IB are open-enrollment (no application). A-G completion rate and EL%/SWD% were not in the school profile and CDE DataQuest was bot-blocked this session (null).
Academies & signature programs
Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy (DPEA)
Four-year project-based engineering and applied STEM program founded by MacArthur Fellow Amir Abo-Shaeer.
A competitive four-year engineering academy with ~112 students per grade level, organized into Rotation Groups of ~27 students. Nationally recognized hands-on engineering curriculum.
Athletics
Fall
Football
Boys · Multiple
Varsity, JV, and Freshman levels fielded.
Girls Volleyball
Girls · Multiple
Boys Water Polo
Boys · Multiple
Recent Channel League title (1st place, 5-1 league).
Cross Country
Coed · Multiple
Strong distance program; boys team placed 3rd at the 2024 CIF-SS Division 2 Finals and qualified for the CIF State Championship in Clovis.
Girls Flag Football
Girls · Multiple
Winter
Boys Basketball
Boys · Multiple
Girls Basketball
Girls · Multiple
Boys Soccer
Boys · Multiple
Wrestling
Coed · Multiple
Brandon Velasquez won the 157-lb title at the Louie Madrigal Memorial Tournament.
Spring
Baseball
Boys · Multiple
2026 CIF-SS Division IV playoff team; second in Channel League.
Softball
Girls · Multiple
Strong 2026 season; CIF-SS Division III playoff run (won a playoff battle vs. Crescenta Valley).
Track & Field
Coed · Multiple
Boys Lacrosse
Boys · Multiple
Co-Channel League champions in 2026 (shared with Santa Barbara).
Swim & Dive
Coed · Multiple
Intramural sports
As a large comprehensive school, Dos Pueblos fields extensive interscholastic (CIF Southern Section, Channel League) athletics rather than formal intramural leagues; recreational play is largely through clubs such as the Sports Club, Surf Club, and Triathlon Club.
Championships & athletic honors
- Standout programs
- Strong in water polo (recent Channel League champions and producer of two 2016 Olympic gold medalists) and distance running (boys cross country reached the 2024 CIF State Championship). Solid baseball/softball tradition with multiple MLB alumni.
- League championships
- Channel League. Boys Water Polo won a recent Channel League title (5-1 league, 1st). Boys Lacrosse were 2026 Channel League co-champions (shared with Santa Barbara). Football won three Channel League titles under coach Nate Mendoza before he left for Santa Barbara HS in Jan 2023 (per data/sports.json experienceNote). (data/sports.json, sourced from Noozhawk/MaxPreps.)
- Olympians & pro athletes
- Samantha Hill and Kiley Neushul (women's water polo; 2016 Olympic gold). Douglas Partie (men's volleyball; 1988 Olympic gold). James McCann (MLB catcher, 2019 All-Star), Stephen Randolph, Gabe Speier, Scott Randall (MLB). Julyan Stone (NBA). Larry Moriarty, Steve Odom, Tyler Fredrickson, Kyle Shotwell (NFL). Ben Howland (alum; later UCLA/Mississippi State head basketball coach). (Wikipedia: Dos Pueblos High School.)
- CIF Southern Section titles
- BOYS WATER POLO CIF-SS champions in 2004 (Div IV, def. Santa Barbara 5-4) and 2005 (Div IV, def. Santa Barbara 13-5), under coach Chris Parrish (cifss.org Boys Water Polo record book). Boys water polo were CIF-SS Div 3 RUNNERS-UP in 2017 (lost to La Serna), and girls water polo were CIF-SS Div 2 runners-up in 2008 (lost to Santa Barbara) and Div 1 runners-up in 2018 (lost to San Marcos). No other enumerable CIF-SS team-title years were found for Dos Pueblos.
Compare across schools: Water Polo · Volleyball · Football · Basketball · Soccer · Baseball · Softball · Tennis · Track & Field · Cross Country · Lacrosse · Swimming · Golf
Notable alumni
- Katy Perry (Grammy-nominated pop singer)
- Alex Filippenko (astrophysicist, UC Berkeley)
- Chip Foose (automotive designer, 'Overhaulin')
- Ben Rattray (founder and CEO of Change.org)
- Meg Gardiner (Edgar Award-winning thriller novelist)
- James McCann (MLB All-Star catcher)
- Howard McGillin (Tony-nominated stage actor, record Broadway Phantom)
- Ben Howland (former UCLA men's basketball head coach)
- Samantha Hill (Olympic gold medalist, water polo)
- Kiley Neushul (Olympic gold medalist, water polo)
- Douglas Partie (Olympic gold medalist, volleyball)
- Ryan Mendez (guitarist, Yellowcard)
- Kim Wilson (blues singer/harmonica, The Fabulous Thunderbirds)
- Julyan Stone (former NBA player)
Clubs & activities
Academic
Award-winning competitive team simulating courtroom trials; multiple-time Santa Barbara County champion, 2016 California state champion and 2015 Empire World Championship winner. Fields JV and varsity teams.
How to join: Try out/sign up at the start of the season; teams are JV and varsity.
Honor society recognizing students for scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
How to join: Meet GPA and service eligibility, then apply for membership.
Supports AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students preparing for college readiness.
How to join: Open to AVID program students; sign up through the club.
Study and support group for students taking Advanced Placement courses.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through competitive events.
How to join: Join and participate in DECA competitions.
Debate and civic-engagement club focused on government, politics, and current events.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Arts
Club for students interested in creating and sharing visual art.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Creative-writing club for students who enjoy writing and sharing their work.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Club supporting student musicians and band activities.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Guitar club run in a bilingual format for Spanish- and English-speaking students.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Book club for students who enjoy reading and discussing literature.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Student news and media club associated with campus journalism.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Cultural
Honor society recognizing achievement in French language and culture.
How to join: Meet French course/achievement criteria and apply.
Service
Trained students who help peers resolve conflicts on campus.
How to join: Apply and complete peer-mediation training.
Supports Special Olympics events and inclusion activities.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up to volunteer.
Service/fundraising club supporting charitable causes.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Peer-support and mental-wellness awareness club.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Special Interest
Casual and competitive chess play for students of all skill levels.
How to join: Attend meetings; no experience required.
Club for students who enjoy video and tabletop games.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Introduces students to the sport of fencing.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Club for students who enjoy surfing and ocean activities along the Goleta coast.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Club for students interested in swimming, cycling, and running events.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Club for students who enjoy playing and discussing recreational sports.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Social club centered on playing charades and group games.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
STEM
Hands-on club exploring science and engineering projects.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Club for students interested in exploring science topics and activities.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Club for students interested in astronomy and stargazing.
How to join: Attend meetings and sign up.
Facilities
- Gymnasium
- Tennis courts
- Aquatics center— Olympic-sized swimming pool.
- Athletic fields— Athletic fields supporting Channel League / CIF Southern Section sports.
- Football stadium— On-campus football stadium following campus renovations.
- Engineering facility— 12,000-square-foot facility housing the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy (machining, CAD, mechatronics).
- Elings Performing Arts Center— 749-seat theater completed and named in 2007 for donor Dr. Virgil Elings.
Leadership opportunities
- Associated Student Body (ASB) / student government
- Peer Mediation Team
- National Honor Society
- Mock Trial team leadership
- Club officer roles
College & career support
Dos Pueblos offers a counseling office and college/career center, A-G aligned coursework, Advanced Placement and a full International Baccalaureate (IB) program, the AVID college-readiness program, and signature career-technical pathways including the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy (DPEA). Students can access dual-enrollment options through nearby Santa Barbara City College (SBCC).
Community
Parent–Teacher Association
Parent organization is a PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association). Verify URL/board yearly.
Athletic boosters
Dos Pueblos Charger Associates Athletic Booster Club (501(c)(3)) supports athletics; the separate Dos Pueblos High School Foundation (dphsfoundation.org) provides broader fundraising/program support, plus sport-specific groups (e.g., wrestling Takedown Association).
Frequently asked questions
- What grades does Dos Pueblos High School serve?
- Dos Pueblos High School serves grades 9-12.
- How many students attend Dos Pueblos High School?
- Dos Pueblos High School enrolls approximately 2,187 students, based on the most recent published figures.
- Is Dos Pueblos High School a public or private school?
- Dos Pueblos High School is a public high school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
- What is Dos Pueblos High School's mascot?
- Dos Pueblos High School's mascot is the Chargers (Charlie the Charger Horse), and its school colors are navy and vegas gold.
- When was Dos Pueblos High School founded?
- Dos Pueblos High School was founded in 1966.
- What sports does Dos Pueblos High School offer?
- Dos Pueblos High School fields 23 sports teams. See the Athletics section above for the full list by season.
- Where is Dos Pueblos High School located?
- Dos Pueblos High School is located at 7266 Alameda Avenue, Goleta, CA, 93117.
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