For the 2025 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 9,055 students in Santa Cruz, CA (there are 9 private schools, serving 900 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Happy Valley Elementary School, Pacific Collegiate Charter and Brook Knoll Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3125 Branciforte Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-1456
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-1456
Grades: K-6
| 122 students
Rank: #22.
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3004 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Grades: 7-12
| 540 students
Rank: #33.
Brook Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
151 Brook Knoll Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2454
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2454
Grades: K-5
| 467 students
Rank: #44.
Westlake Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 High St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3878
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3878
Grades: K-5
| 471 students
Rank: #55.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
986 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Grades: K-8
| 163 students
Rank: #66.
Bonny Doon Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1492 Pine Flat Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2300
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2300
Grades: K-6
| 97 students
Rank: #77.
Santa Cruz High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
415 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Grades: 9-12
| 1,104 students
Rank: #88.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Grades: 6-8
| 500 students
Rank: #99.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: K-12
| 110 students
Rank: #1010.
Green Acres Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
966 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Grades: K-5
| 301 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Santa Cruz County Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Grades: 7-12
| 24 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Grades: K-12
| 99 students
Rank: #1313.
De Laveaga Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1145 Morrissey Blvd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-3807
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-3807
Grades: K-5
| 507 students
Rank: #1414.
Harbor High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Grades: 9-12
| 1,040 students
Rank: #1515.
Live Oak Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1916 Capitola Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-2000
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-2000
Grades: K-5
| 362 students
Rank: #1616.
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8005 Winkle Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 464-5670
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 464-5670
Grades: K-5
| 204 students
Rank: #1717.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: 6-12
| 52 students
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1959 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Grades: K-5
| 310 students
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Gault Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1320 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3856
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3856
Grades: K-5
| 291 students
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
984 Bostwick Ln. Ste. 6
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Grades: K-8
| 74 students
Rank: #2121.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Grades: 6-8
| 435 students
Rank: #2222.
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: K-5
| 121 students
Rank: #2323.
Bay View Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1231 Bay St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3991
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3991
Grades: K-5
| 378 students
Rank: #2424.
Shoreline Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
855 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Grades: 6-8
| 463 students
Rank: #2525.
Santa Cruz County Community
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Grades: 7-12
| 733 students
Rank: #2626.
Costanoa Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: 9-12
| 87 students
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Rop
Vocational School
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Grades: 10-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
984-1 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6333
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6333
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Santa Cruz, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
13575 Empire Grade Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Grades: 9-12
| 37 students
Cypress Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Grades: 9-12
| 119 students
Monarch Elementary Alternative (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
313 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Grades: K-8
| 75 students
255 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Grades: K-5
| 299 students
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Sequoia Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
319 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Sojourn Middle Charter (Closed 2004)
Charter School
157 Trescony St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Grades: 6-8
| 30 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Happy Valley Elementary School, Pacific Collegiate Charter and Brook Knoll Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Santa Cruz?
28 public schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What percentage of students in Santa Cruz go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Santa Cruz are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Santa Cruz include: Harbor High School vs. Santa Cruz High School, Bay View Elementary School vs. Westlake Elementary School, Santa Cruz High School vs. Harbor High School
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