Community

We know middle school age students thrive and need community; one that is built on trust and independence, and has the scaffolded support of outside mentors and teachers. SBMS students quickly learn that they have landed in a very special place designed to offer just that. We spend intentional time building our school’s internal community so that students feel safe and seen. Then we venture out into the broader community to be of service, give back, and learn, from our community partners.

    • Day of Sharing with the 9th graders and 1st grade at the Franklin School

Our Promise
During your child’s time at SBMS, they will…
  • Will feel seen and validated while gaining a sense of belonging for their own unique contributions, gifts and talents to our community. 
  • Volunteer in our community and dive into a hands-on career for 20 hours of volunteer work at a non-profit or locally-owned business during our Career Services Week.
  • Learn to write a resume, participate in a job interview and volunteer for a real business.
  • Connect in-class financial literacy learning, with outside stewardship by individually fundraising and sponsoring a start-up business through kiva.org., a nonprofit that offers microfinancing to emerging entrepreneurs in developing countries. 
  • Jump into the ocean at 6:45am on Friday morning for our weekly (optional) Sunrise Swim. We celebrate the week and start the day as a spirited, loving community.

    • SBMS student on the local news during Career Study Week

Some of our signature activities and events which build our strong internal community include:
  • Town Meeting (every Friday afternoon)
  • Expedition Homecoming Ride
  • Sunrise Swim (every Friday morning)
  • Fall Expedition Media Presentation 
  • End of Year Expeditions Media Presentations 
  • Spring Dinner & Auction 
  • Rites of Passage
  • Solstice Hike & Ride
  • Songfest
  • Special Meetings in Our Kiva
  • Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
  • Career Study Week & Community Service

    • Amelia in the 8th grade singing Vienna during our first-ever virtual Songfest

Take care of yourself.
Take care of others.
Take care of this place.

    • 7th grader, Pyp, supporting our nurses and doctors during the global pandemic

    • The surf team participating in a beach cleanup

    • Students in Community Action stocking their pop-up libraries around town

SBMS celebrates community and the important connection it offers. We know that service and stewardship are great teachers for our students. Whether it is a community extension to a project-based academic unit, volunteering in the workplace during our Career Services Week, serving as a bike mechanic, or as a member of our Community Action club, connecting with our community is what we do best. These experiences foster self-assuredness, along with an invaluable strong sense of purpose. 

    • Our incredible bike mechanics servicing bikes for other students

    • Community Campus Work Day of gardening, organizing and fun

    • Community Action toy drive for Domestic Violence Solutions

    • Sixth grader, Ruby, riding with Cycling Without Age SB

Testimonials

"Santa Barbara Middle School has been a life-changing experience. Whether it’s the community or the fun bike rides on the trips. Throughout these last three years at SBMS, I have been left with many valuable lessons and teachings such as how every moment is a gift and to go with gratitude. It has taught all of us to care for each other, see SBMS as a family, kindness, and equality. It’s a unique school that left me with unforgettable memories. Santa Barbara Middle School holds and forever will hold a place in my heart."

- SBMS 9th Grader 
"I’m so grateful for you and SBMS. The grace with which you have handled this transition is awe-inspiring. We are so very lucky to be part of the SBMS family."  

- 7th Grade Parent on Distance Learning 
 
“What I love most about SBMS is the unity of the community. Nobody really cares what you wear or do, or what your beliefs are. Everyone is accepted. Now, I don’t care as much about what other people think about me and I’ve learned to advocate for myself.” 

- SBMS Alum, Class of '19
 
“SBMS was different from any other school I attended. It taught me to dare to attempt the impossible. It taught me to take bold risks and that it was ok not to automatically follow the "ordinary, conventional" path. I learned that possibilities are endless. I also learned the values of respect and community and I emerged with a new confidence in myself that I had not previously discovered.”


- SBMS Alum

    • An SBMS classic sing-along campfire song - Wagon Wheel

Santa Barbara Middle School cultivates in our students passion for life and life-long learning, a deep sense of trust in themselves, strength and courage to succeed at life's challenges, and compassion and respect for others.
Santa Barbara Middle School ● 1321 Alameda Padre Serra ● Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tel: 805-682-2989 ● office@sbms.org