Santa Paula School Districts

Santa Paula Local Schools and Colleges Information

Santa Paula Elementary School District

The Santa Paula Elementary School District is the only public school district within the city of Santa Paula serving the needs of children from pre-school through grade eight. The six elementary schools (grades K-5) and one middle school (grades 6-8) are governed by the Board of Trustees of the Santa Paula Elementary School District which has five elected representatives from the community. Upon promotion from the eighth grade, students attend Santa Paula High School which is governed by its own board of trustees and has its own, separate district.

The elementary schools in the SPESD are designated "magnet schools."

A "magnet school" is designed around a special focus in curriculum that will attract students with an interest or demonstrated talent in that specific field of study. Students and parents are given a choice of curriculum, much the same way a college student has when she or he picks a major.

In Santa Paula, parents and students have a choice of several different magnet programs, each described in detail inside this web site.

Parents may send their child to whichever school they feel will best serve the needs of their child, regardless of where they live within the city. Schools are duty bound, however, to accept neghborhood children first. Some schools with the more popular curriculums may have a waiting list, in which case choices about who can attend are based on a first come, first served basis.

Upon promotion from the fifth grade, SPESD students attend Isbell Middle School, the only school in the district for grades 6-8.

Parents and community members are encouraged to become active in the parent/teacher/student groups and school-based site councils at their schools. Additional opportunities for input are available to interested community members who would like to serve on the strategic planning committee for the district, which is responsible for planning for the long term educational needs of Santa Paula's young people.