SBCS MISSION STATEMENT: Santa Barbara Charter School nurtures lifelong learners by cultivating the interests and building the skills of both students and their families in the arts, academics, and relationships.
• Free, public school since 1993
• Social justice emphasis
• Cultivate the arts, academics, and relationships
• Communication and conflict resolution program
• Active parent involvement
• Before and after school care program on site
• Classroom-based program for K-6th grade
• Independent Study Program for TK-8th grade
Santa Barbara Charter School is a materials-based program. Our deepest and most important underlying assumption is that the most powerful learning takes place when students create their own meaning and understanding through their interactions with materials and other people. Our goal is to provide an educational program with breadth and depth for students with different learning styles and types of intelligence. It is the teacher’s job(s) to notice how each child interacts with people and things around them, and ask questions or provide materials and instruction that lead to the next structured step in cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
Teachers at Santa Barbara Charter School are educational leaders. Teachers determine the curriculum in line with the Common Core State Standards, Santa Barbara Charter School’s Education Plan, and the needs and interests of the students. In order to implement the curriculum, teachers provision their classrooms by purchasing educational equipment, materials, and supplies with school funds. Their jurisdiction is the administration and implementation of the Education Plan, direction of the class, and supervision of paid and volunteer staff who work with children.
During school hours, a teacher’s primary responsibility is to focus on children and attend to their academic, social, emotional and physical needs. Teachers have the responsibility and privilege of planning and implementing the program in their classes on a daily basis. Part of this

charge is making sure that adults always treat children in a way that is respectful and developmentally appropriate. Teachers are responsible for ensuring the welfare of the whole class as well as striving to meet the needs of individual children as much as possible within a heterogeneous classroom.
Parent participation and input is an essential element in the functioning of Santa Barbara Charter School. The school was started by parent initiative and thrives as a result of continuous parent involvement.
Education at Santa Barbara Charter School is child-centered. Our goal is to prepare each student to be an active participant in a democratic society.
Santa Barbara Charter School is an expression of commitment to the Santa Barbara community, affirming support for public education by creating an alternative for families who want to be actively involved in a non-traditional school setting.
Teacher testimonials:
“The community here at SBCS is one that is caring, inclusive, and hard working.”
“We are a team and work together combining our collective strengths.
Everyone feels valued and special because we all fit together like a puzzle.”
“We are not just coworkers but friends who support each other through our toughest days and celebrate our victories. We are family.”
“The support that teachers provide for each other is amazing -- I've never had a job where I've felt so supported by my coworkers.”
“Teachers have the freedom to make decisions for themselves that they feel are best for their students and the school as a whole.”
“If you want to be part of a small school community where staff, teachers, administrators and parents work together on behalf of children, pick SBCS.”