After a series of bond elections, construction started in 1922 to enlarge the school and move it to the Upper Eastside of Santa Barbara, where it is now located at 700 East Anapamu Street.

A 19-year veteran of the District, Simmons obtained her bachelor of arts and masters in education from UC Santa Barbara, and a doctorate from Concordia University in Chicago.

In 2022, U.S. News & World Report included the following demographic statistics for Santa Barbara High School: 64.7% minority enrollment; 58.9% Hispanic; 35.3% white; 1.7% Asian and 1.1% Black.

[11][12][13] In 2021, VADA launched a $6.5 million capital campaign to construct a new modern design lab and art studio for students to use laser cutters and 3-D printers.

Patterson worked with a team of students to develop an award-winning app with an interactive map of Santa Barbara to boost local tourism following deadly mudslides in 2018.

The performing arts department, which partners with the Santa Barbara Theater Foundation, employs professional designers, choreographers, musical directors and guest artists to work with students.

[20][21] In collaboration with SBHS alumni, including local artist Manuel Unzueta, more than 20 students at Santa Barbara High School painted a 60-foot ethnic mural outside the campus cafeteria.

The six-panel mural, titled ‘La Loteria De Vida" (The Life Lottery) features symbols of Chicano and Chumash culture, while paying tribute to history of Santa Barbara and the high school.

[23] SBHS offers baseball, softball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, frisbee and surfing.

SBHS wood shop students are taught computer programming to cut foam for surfboards and refine the boards with hand planes and rulers.

"[31] Former Forge editor Leon Litwack (class of 1947) is a Pulitzer Prize winner, retired UC Berkeley professor and author of books on slavery.

[34] To address a $3,000 shortfall in state per-pupil funding, the Foundation for Santa Barbara High School, a non-profit 501(c) 3, raises money to support academics, counseling, sports and other programs.