Summary:
The Santa Ynez Valley Union High district in Solvang operates two high schools for grades 9-12: the large, high-performing main campus, Santa Ynez Valley Union High, and a much smaller alternative program, Refugio High, which share the same location.
Santa Ynez Valley Union High is the district's primary school, serving over 800 students with strong results, including a 98% graduation rate, English and science scores well above the state average, and chronic absenteeism on par with the state. In contrast, Refugio High serves about 11 students and faces significant challenges, with historically low graduation rates and a current chronic absenteeism rate of 100%, indicating it likely serves students with substantial barriers to traditional schooling.
This creates a stark contrast within the district. The main school's performance places the overall district in the 81st percentile statewide, but the alternative program receives more funding per student and has a lower student-teacher ratio yet struggles with attendance and outcomes. For parents, this highlights a district with a robust traditional high school and a separate, intensive support program for a small number of at-risk students.
Thank you for your feedback!