It was designed in 1926 and opened in 1928 as a junior high school serving grades seven through nine. In September 1993, La Cumbre became the Secondary District’s only middle school, serving students in grades six through eight. In September 2002, La Cumbre opened as a two-year middle school, serving students in grades seven and eight. The Spanish-style school is housed on a 21.95-acre campus on t
he westside of Santa Barbara. Unique to this campus is a mural that graces the cafeteria, a gift to La Cumbre by the art students of 1986. Inspired by local artist Manuel Unzueta, the mural depicts the past, present and future of the Santa Barbara community. La Cumbre Junior High School is a standards-driven and standards-based school with high expectations for all students and a comprehensive support program. The learning environment encourages self-disciplined, self-directed, and responsible academic and social behavior. To meet the specialized needs of the school’s most gifted students, La Cumbre offers an interdisciplinary Honors program in language arts and social studies and a Gifted and Talented Education program in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies at all grade levels. The school offers a comprehensive program for English Language Learners, including Sheltered instruction. Special needs students receive Resource and Special Day class instruction. La Cumbre offers Adaptive Physical Education and services for sight and hearing impaired students.
