About GUSD

The Goleta Union School District (GUSD) serves a total  population of 71,369 in the Goleta Valley, which includes the City of Goleta population of approximately 33,003 and an additional population of 38,366 in the unincorporated areas that includes Isla Vista and the University of California, Santa Barbara.  The valley lies between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and is adjacent to the City of Santa Barbara.  The region is known for its cultural, academic, and recreational opportunities and mild climate.

GUSD serves approximately 3,517 students in preschool through sixth grade.  There are a total of nine elementary schools and six of them receive Title I funding that supports students from low-income households.   All nine elementary schools include a transitional kindergarten (TK) program, and three of our nine schools have inclusive preschool programs serving students starting at the age of three.

All nine elementary schools offer after school care for TK through sixth grade through our Expanded Learning Program.  GUSD also provides a Summer Thrive program with enriching camp-like experiences for students.  Our class size average in TK through third grade is below 20 students  and in fourth through sixth grades is below 22 students.  Multilingual learners (MLLs) make up 17.1% of our total student population.  GUSD maintains excellent special education and intervention support services at every school.  District comprehensive services include mental health, speech-language, occupational therapy, behavioral health, and support from registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses.

GUSD provides a science-based approach to teaching literacy.  We are proud of our professional educators and their high dedication to their profession and ensuring that students leave GUSD with a solid knowledge of math and science and is enhanced by our comprehensive STEAM program and labs.  Each school offers differentiated services to meet the needs of all learners, from those who are gifted/talented to students who may need additional academic support.

We value our strong partnerships with parents, guardians, and community organizations that enhance the many programs we provide students. Together, we can realize our district vision to provide powerful instruction, purposeful individualization, and productive partnerships that lead to positive evidence of student growth.  Once our students complete sixth grade, they transition to the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) for junior high and high school.

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