Santa Barbara High School

About

Founded in 1875, Santa Barbara High School ('SBHS') is the oldest public high school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The downtown campus is known for its century-old performing-arts theater and its three career academies (Computer Science, Multimedia Arts and Design, and Visual Arts and Design). It is one of Santa Barbara's three comprehensive public high schools and a longtime athletic rival of San Marcos and Dos Pueblos.

Academics & public data

Data as of 2024.

AP & advanced coursework

• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Science A
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP French Language and Culture
• AP U.S. Government and Politics
• AP Human Geography
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Physics 1
• AP Psychology
• AP Seminar
• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP Spanish Literature and Culture
• AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
• AP Studio Art: Drawing
• AP U.S. History
• AP World History

22 AP courses listed on the school's College & Career Readiness site (2025-26, sbhsdonsccreadiness.weebly.com); the SARC reports 26 AP courses offered across subject areas (2024-25) with the caveat that not every course runs each year. AP participation: 24.2% of students enrolled in AP courses (2024-25, SARC). AP exam pass rate is not published in the SARC or CDE sources (null). No IB program (IB is at Dos Pueblos).

Academies & signature programs

Admissions & key dates

How to apply

VADA: submit the SBHS Academy Common Interest Form (Google Form, Nov–Mar 1) as an incoming 9th grader; 9th-grade placement uses a balanced 50/50 pathway-access model and may go to a lottery if oversubscribed. After March 1 (and for grades 10-11/transfers), submit the VADA Application with short answers and creative work samples; applications are held until end of junior year and filled by attrition. MAD (Multimedia Arts & Design) Academy: submit the MAD application (statement of interest + optional portfolio) at madacad.com/join-mad; MAD pulls from the applicant pool only as seats open (~0-10 per grade/year), no fixed deadline. Computer Science Academy (CSA): OPEN ENROLLMENT — no application; any SBHS student joins by enrolling in a CS course. (2026, vadasbhs.org, madacad.com, sbhscs.org)

Open house / tours

Academy interest is typically promoted via the district High School Showcase and 8th-grade outreach in the fall/winter; specific VADA/MAD info-night dates are not consistently published online — check each academy site (vadasbhs.org, madacad.com) or the SBHS counseling office. (2026)

Application deadline

Visual Arts & Design Academy (VADA): 8th-graders complete the official SBHS CTE Pathway/Academy Common Interest Form during a window of roughly November through March 1 (most recent cycle: Nov 2025 – March 1, 2026). Pre-VADA enrollment status is sent March 13 with an offer-acceptance deadline of March 20. After March 1, entry is application-based (VADA Application with creative work samples) only as seats open. (recurring pattern; vadasbhs.org/vada-enrollment)

Athletics

Compare across schools: Water Polo · Volleyball · Football · Basketball · Soccer · Baseball · Softball · Tennis · Track & Field · Cross Country · Lacrosse · Swimming · Golf

Championship history

Every team title we can source for Santa Barbara High School — CIF State, CIF Southern Section, and league championships — newest first.

2

State titles

53

CIF-SS titles

1. 2024

   • CIF-SSGirls Tennis — Division 3 · Beat Santa Monica 12-6; coach Danny Echt; finished 24-5.(source)

2. 2023

   • CIF StateBoys Cross Country — Division 2 · Program's first CIF State title; team score 91 at Fresno, beating Ventura (114). Same season won CIF-SS Division 2 team title.(source)
   • CIF-SSBoys Cross Country — Division 2 · CIF-SS Division 2 team title (86 pts, beat Ventura 88) en route to the CIF State Division 2 title the same season.(source)

3. 2021

   • CIF-SSBoys Volleyball — Division 2 · Beat Huntington Beach 3-2; coach Chad Arneson (first boys volleyball title since 1992).(source)
   • CIF-SSGirls Volleyball — Division 6 · Beat El Rancho 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-19); coach Kristen Hempy.(source)

4. 2018

   • CIF StateBoys Soccer — Division 1 · CIF Division 1 state championship; same season the Dons won the CIF-SS Division 1 title.(source)
   • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — Division 1 · Beat Cathedral 1-1 (3-2 PK); coach Todd Heil. Followed by the CIF State Division 1 title.(source)

5. 2016

   • CIF-SSBoys Basketball — Division 2A · Beat Lynwood 75-65 at the Honda Center; coach Dave Bregante (first boys hoops title since 1991).(source)

6. 2014

   • CIF-SSGirls Basketball — Division 3AA · Beat Lakeside 67-43 at Azusa Pacific; coach Andrew Butcher.(source)

7. 2010

   • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — Division 2 · Beat Dos Pueblos 3-0; coach Todd Heil.(source)

8. 2006

   • CIF-SSBoys Water Polo — Division II · Beat Ventura 14-11; coach Mark Walsh.(source)
   • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Agoura 8-7; coach Mark Walsh (8th and final girls title of the dynasty).(source)

9. 2005

   • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Agoura 18-7; coach Mark Walsh (Kami Craig era).(source)

10. 2004

    • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Royal 17-8; coach Mark Walsh (Kami Craig era).(source)

11. 2003

    • CIF-SSBoys Water Polo — Division IV · Beat San Marcos 10-8; coach Mark Walsh.(source)
    • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Cabrillo/Lompoc 18-3; coach Mark Walsh.(source)

12. 2002

    • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division II · Beat Ventura 9-1; coach Mark Walsh.(source)

13. 2001

    • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — Division III · Co-champions with Brea Olinda (0-0); coach Todd Heil.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Ventura 11-7; coach Mark Walsh.(source)

14. 2000

    • CIF-SSBoys Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Ventura 8-7; coach Mark Walsh.(source)
    • CIF-SSGirls Volleyball — Division IIAA · Beat South Torrance 3-2 (10-15, 11-15, 15-13, 17-15, 15-8); coach Nan Verkaik.(source)
    • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division II · Beat Agoura 7-6; coach Mark Walsh.(source)

15. 1999

    • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division II · Beat San Marcos 11-4; coach Mark Walsh.(source)

16. 1998

    • CIF-SSGirls Water Polo — Division II · Beat Cabrillo/Lompoc 17-8; coach Mark Walsh (first official CIF-SS girls water polo season).(source)

17. 1997

    • CIF-SSBoys Water Polo — Division IV · Beat Righetti 15-14 (OT); coaches Dave Kent / Mark Walsh.(source)

18. 1995

    • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — Division II · Beat Long Beach Jordan 3-0; coach Rudy Ybarra.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — Division I · Beat Peninsula 14-4; coach Jack Trigueiro (last of the Trigueiro-era titles).(source)

19. 1994

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — Division I · Beat Dana Hills; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)

20. 1993

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — Division I · Beat Peninsula 11-7; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)

21. 1992

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 4-A · Beat Peninsula 13-5; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Volleyball — 4-A · Beat Huntington Beach 3-0; coach Bob Moore.(source)

22. 1991

    • CIF-SSBoys Basketball — I-A · Beat Marina 50-49 at the L.A. Sports Arena; coach Bob Purdy.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 4-A · Beat University 14-4; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)

23. 1990

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 4-A · Beat Dana Hills 18-0; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)

24. 1989

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 4-A · Beat Beverly Hills 14-4; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Football — Division II · Co-champions with Pasadena Muir after a 7-7 tie; coach Manuel 'Lito' Garcia.(source)

25. 1988

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 5-A · Beat Beverly Hills 9-9 (80-78); coach Jack Trigueiro (start of an eight-year title streak).(source)

26. 1986

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 4-A · Beat Miraleste 12-6; coach Jack Trigueiro.(source)

27. 1985

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — 4-A · Beat South Torrance 19-9; coach Jack Trigueiro (first title of the Trigueiro era).(source)

28. 1978

    • CIF-SSBoys Volleyball — Beat Laguna Beach 3-0; coach Rick Olmstead (Karch Kiraly era).(source)

29. 1977

    • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — 4-A · Beat Palos Verdes 1-0; coach Manuel Garcia (third straight title).(source)

30. 1976

    • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — Beat Central 4-0; coach Manuel Garcia.(source)

31. 1975

    • CIF-SSBoys Soccer — Beat South Torrance 4-1; coach Manuel Garcia (first of three straight).(source)

32. 1972

    • CIF-SSBoys Golf — Team title with a 381 over Foothill/Rio Mesa at Western Hills CC.(source)

33. 1960

    • CIF-SSBoys Football — Beat Centennial 19-6 at the L.A. Coliseum; coach Sam Cathcart.(source)

34. 1954

    • CIF-SSBoys Golf — Team title with a 464 over Long Beach Wilson at Arrowhead CC.(source)

35. 1942

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — Beat Beverly Hills 15-13; coach Bob Wormser.(source)

36. 1941

    • CIF-SSBoys Baseball — First CIF-SS baseball title; beat Long Beach Wilson 4-3; coach Skip Winans.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — Beat Beverly Hills 18.5-8.5; coach Bob Wormser.(source)

37. 1940

    • CIF-SSBoys Football — Beat Whittier 26-0 at the L.A. Coliseum; coach Clarence Schutte.(source)

38. 1939

    • CIF-SSBoys Tennis — Beat Ventura 17-11; coach Bob Wormser.(source)

39. 1938

    • CIF-SSBoys Football — Beat Covina 13-0; coach Clarence Schutte.(source)

40. 1935

    • CIF-SSBoys Basketball — Beat Long Beach Poly 20-17; coach Clarence Schutte.(source)
    • CIF-SSBoys Football — Beat Monrovia 14-12 at the Rose Bowl; coach Clarence Schutte.(source)

41. 1934

    • CIF-SSBoys Basketball — Beat Alhambra 19-14; coach Clarence Schutte.(source)

See every Santa Barbara school’s title history →

Notable alumni

• Josh Brolin — Academy Award-nominated actor
• Karch Kiraly — 3x Olympic gold medalist, volleyball
• Eddie Mathews — Baseball Hall of Famer
• Jamaal Wilkes — 4x NBA champion
• Randall Cunningham — NFL Pro Bowl quarterback
• Sam Cunningham — USC All-American, College Football Hall of Fame
• Tom Curren — 3x world champion surfer
• Martha Graham — modern dance pioneer
• Alonzo King — dancer and choreographer, LINES Ballet
• Taylor Hackford — Academy Award-winning filmmaker
• Ron Shelton — writer-director, 'Bull Durham', 'White Men Can't Jump'
• Charles Schwab — founder, Charles Schwab Corp.
• Leon Litwack — Pulitzer Prize-winning historian
• Ward Kimball — Disney animator, Academy Award winner
• Floyd Norman — Disney/Pixar animator and writer
• Chris Shiflett — lead guitarist, Foo Fighters
• Jordan Maron 'CaptainSparklez' — YouTuber
• Tanya Atwater — geophysicist, plate tectonics pioneer
• Stephen Benton — inventor of the rainbow hologram
• Al Geiberger — PGA Tour golfer, first to shoot 59
• Kami Craig — Olympic gold & silver medalist, water polo
• John Northrop — aviation pioneer, founder of Northrop Corporation
• Timothy Bottoms — actor, 'The Last Picture Show'

See all notable SB alumni →

Clubs & activities

Facilities

• Gymnasium
• Pool/Aquatics— Pool used for water polo and swimming/diving programs
• Tennis courts
• Athletic fields— Fields for track, football, lacrosse, and soccer
• Peabody Stadium— On-campus stadium, renovated 2020 (~$39M); football, track, lacrosse, soccer
• Beach volleyball— Beach volleyball facilities (reflecting coastal Santa Barbara location)
• Performing Arts Theater— Historic ~800-seat Dons theater with modern lighting and sound for theatrical and choral productions

Leadership opportunities

• Associated Student Body (ASB) / student government
• Leadership class
• Club officer roles across 40+ student clubs
• Academy leadership (e.g., Computer Science Academy Leadership Club)
• Peer mentoring and transition support (AVID)

College & career support

SBHS offers counseling and a college/career center with A-G coursework support, AVID for college readiness, and dual/concurrent enrollment with Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) through the district partnership. Career-themed academies (Computer Science/CSA, Multimedia Arts & Design/MAD, Visual Arts & Design/VADA) provide industry-aligned pathways.

College outcomes

Local pipeline

As a Santa Barbara Unified school, graduates are eligible for the SBCC Promise — two years tuition-, fee-, and book-free at Santa Barbara City College for all local high-school grads (since fall 2016, SBCC Foundation). SBCC is consistently among the most common destinations for SBHS grads.

Notable colleges

No official school matriculation list is published. Niche reports the colleges current students are MOST INTERESTED IN attending (interest, not confirmed matriculation): UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara City College (2026, Niche).

Community

Frequently asked questions

What grades does Santa Barbara High School serve?

Santa Barbara High School serves grades 9-12.

How many students attend Santa Barbara High School?

Santa Barbara High School enrolls approximately 1,924 students, based on the most recent published figures.

Is Santa Barbara High School a public or private school?

Santa Barbara High School is a public high school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

What is Santa Barbara High School's mascot?

Santa Barbara High School's mascot is the Dons, and its school colors are olive and gold.

When was Santa Barbara High School founded?

Santa Barbara High School was founded in 1875.

What sports does Santa Barbara High School offer?

Santa Barbara High School fields 23 sports teams. See the Athletics section above for the full list by season.

Where is Santa Barbara High School located?

Santa Barbara High School is located at 700 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103.