A jewel of a parish. Lots of great family activities and solid scripture studies. Beautiful Church…read moreand great school too.

As a father of two boys currently attending Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, I couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the experiences our family has had here. This school is a true gem--not just for the beautiful Montecito setting, but for the heart and values it instills in its students every day. One of the most unique aspects of Mount Carmel is the way students of all ages interact and care for each other. It's common to see middle schoolers reading with kindergartners or helping them carry their backpacks after school. That kind of cross-grade mentorship and unity doesn't happen by accident--it's the result of a loving, intentional community where everyone is seen, known, and valued. The small class sizes have allowed both of my boys to receive individualized attention, and the focus on Catholic education has provided them with a solid foundation--not just academically, but morally and spiritually. The teachers and staff are deeply committed to their students. As an active volunteer, I've witnessed firsthand the passion, energy, and care they bring into the classroom each day. They know their students well, and their impact is lasting. Yes, like many private schools, Mount Carmel is thoughtful and creative in how it uses resources, but we see this not as a flaw--but as a strength. There's something very special about a school that brings together families from different communities who all want the same thing: a nurturing, faith-filled education for their children. This is not just a school--it's a community we're proud to be a part of. From school Masses to buddy programs, from the committed leadership to the incredible parent involvement, Mount Carmel truly lives up to its mission. If you're looking for a school where your child will be known, loved, and challenged to grow in character and intellect, Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a place worth considering.

Love this place. Been here for 6 years, all 3 kids go here. All teachers we have had have been…read moreamazing, tremendous energy, engaging and caring. Small class sizes. We are so lucky to attend.

This school is as good as it gets. They have the resources…read moreto give our children the best of the best. Small class sizes, violin lessons, science lab, organic gardens, parent education classes, student trips to DC, teacher in services at Harvard....I could go on and on. This is a public school but is better than most private schools. We are fortunate our children go here.

Laguna Blanca is far superior. Attended crane from 5th-8th and was not given half the education…read morethat I received at Laguna.

I went to Crane for summer school in the 1970's. I would ride my bike & walk my bike home with Anna…read moreMaria & Jocelyn. Thank you to Mr. Eccles & Mr. Milton! It was a really great experience.

Cold Spring School has always been such a wonderful place. I went there my self 40 years ago and…read morenow my daughter goes there. The teachers are on par with the best private schools. They STEAM program is top notch headed by Dr. Gradias just wanted to let people know of this little bit of paradise.

We love Laguna!! So happy and highly recommend to any family looking for a small school in an ideal…read moresetting!!

The Howard School is a gem! The staff is very committed to the students, and they want these…read morestudents to be the people of the future. Students are greeted by the principal each morning and every student is known on a first-name basis. Class sizes are small allowing the teachers to focus on each child's needs and goals. If you are looking for a kind, caring community, and a wonderful emotional and academic experience then look no further.

We are incredibly lucky to have found this school in the small community of Carpinteria. At Howard…read morethere is a big emphasis in the development of children as people, not just as students. You can see this in the way that the older students interact with the younger students. They seem to really have gained strong interpersonal skills specifically - emotional intelligence, responsibility, and empathy. The small class sizes and a strong emphasis on higher level thinking within the curriculum are really what makes this school great. We've loved every teacher we've met. There is no place I would rather have my children. I can't recommend it enough.

Looking for strong academics with incredible teachers and staff? Come check out Laguna Blanca…read moreeither at the Lower Campus (elementary)in Montecito or the Upper Campus (middle & high school) in Hope Ranch. Both campuses are beautiful, large green spaces and expansive with nice classrooms and many outdoor areas for learning and exploring. There is a huge field for sports at the Upper Campus. Brand new science and engineering labs and classrooms are at the Upper Campus and it's all under the expertise of brilliant teachers who care about their students. The academics are very strong here and they raise the bar high for all students, but in a way that is not stressful. They work hard to support each student's needs. From the core classes to the electives to summer camp....they have it all. Want to get involved as a parent? They have the Parent's Auxillary and board with activities and events all year long. The administration here is tops on both campuses. Friendly, intelligent, kind, hard working and truly devoted team of people at every level here.

I had the best experiences attending this school, and their rigorous academic standards well…read moreprepared me for college and law school.

My kids love this school, and I can see why, staff is very nice and outgoing! I love how the school…read moredoesn't tolerate bullying and teasing--the schools i went to never punished bullies, and I love how my kids have a bully-free zone :)

Love this location, the workers + lifeguards, and the pool. They all work hard to make sure you…read morehave a good experience. This review is solely for the male locker room. I don't know what the best solution is for this but it's a mess in terms of behavior. Nobody follows the sauna rules and brings in newspapers, headphones, food, and one guy even put his gross soaked workout clothes over the heater to dry! Just absolutely abhorrent, inconsiderate behavior. One man recently brought a huge glass bottle inside to drink with the other day, and a few of us were worried what would happen if it fell off the bench. We're all barefoot, after all. Sure enough we all heard an explosion and lots of loud cursing (classy) from the locker room later, and it turns out he dropped it and it shattered all over the changing area floor. A worker gave the man a broom but didn't say anything about why the guy brought a huge glass juice bottle out in the first place. I wouldn't feel safe bringing my kid here if they're so laid back about broken glass on the ground. Not sure what the point is of having a huge rule list taped on the sauna door is when nobody enforces it. People also take super loud phone calls as well despite the no cell-phone sign. Watch your feet if you're in the men's locker room, cause with the rubber mats with holes in them, there's no way they cleaned all the shards out unless they removed the mats and cleaned. And we can all tell from the wet mud stains in between the gaps whether or not this will ever happen...

I am so grateful for Daniel's chair yoga class. He sets a tone of peace and tranquility while…read moreleading us through much-needed gentle stretches. I sure wish it was offered twice a week! Thanks to the Montecito YMCA for providing an oasis for body, mind, and spirit.