Dear Santa Barbara Unified families:
Enrollment
New student enrollment opens December 1, for those enrolling for the first time and for former students who are returning after an extended absence from the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
Families who are enrolling with the Santa Barbara Unified School District for the first time, may either complete the enrollment process through the Aeries Online Enrollment portal, OR you may contact your child’s school for assistance with a paper enrollment form.
For 2025-26, children are eligible for Transitional Kindergarten if they have their fourth birthday by September 1. Children are eligible for Kindergarten if they will have their fifth birthday on or before September 1.
Open House
For information about upcoming tours or Open Houses in elementary or junior high, contact your school of interest directly for more information. For information regarding high school open houses click here.
Intra-District Transfer (transfers within SBUSD)
If you are interested in your child attending a school other than their school of residence, but live INSIDE the Santa Barbara Unified District Attendance Area, you will need to complete a transfer request for the 2025-26 school year, in addition to the enrollment process. The priority window to apply for a transfer is December 1, 2024 through January 24, 2025 at 5 PM. Click here for the online Transfer Applications which opens December 1. If you complete an online transfer, you will receive a date-stamped confirmation email, with a copy of your transfer request.
Please see the following reminders:
- Regular Application Window: Transfers received January 24, 2025 after 5 PM - June 30, 2025 at 5 PM.
- Transfers received after the July 1 deadline will only be reviewed for 2nd Semester/Term 3.
- Paper applications are available for pick up at any school or in the Student & Family Services office located at 720 Santa Barbara Street, 93101, or for download on our website.
- Information for enrollment, transfers, and open house events can be found on our website at https://www.sbunified.org/schools/enrollment-registration
Inter-District Transfer (transfers between districts)
If you are interested in your child enrolling in a Santa Barbara Unified District school, but live OUTSIDE of the District’s Attendance Area, please contact your District of Residence for further information on Inter-District Transfers.
Student(s) already attending a school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District on an Inter-District Transfer must renew their Inter-District Transfers each year. The priority window to submit an Inter-District Transfer for the 2025-2026 school year is December 1, 2024 through January 24, 2025 at 5 PM.
If you have questions, please contact your child’s school or Student & Family Services at (805) 963-4338 ext. 6278 and/or ext. 6208 (English and Spanish).