For the 2025 school year, there are 85 public schools serving 34,133 students in Santa Cruz County, CA (there are 31 private schools, serving 6,045 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Happy Valley Elementary School, Pacific Collegiate Charter and Loma Prieta Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% 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 County (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.
Loma Prieta Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1106
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1106
Grades: K-5
| 259 students
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
C. T. English Middle School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1123
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1123
Grades: 6-8
| 162 students
Rank: #66.
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: #77.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
Scotts Valley High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
555 Glenwood Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9555
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9555
Grades: 9-12
| 655 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Vine Hill Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
151 Vine Hill School Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-1090
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-1090
Grades: K-5
| 532 students
Rank: #1010.
Main Street Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3400 North Main St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
Grades: K-5
| 389 students
Rank: #1111.
Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3042 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-6812
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-6812
Grades: K-6
| 163 students
Rank: #1212.
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: #1313.
Lexington Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
19700 Old Santa Cruz Hwy.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 335-2150
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 335-2150
Grades: K-5
| 171 students
Rank: #1414.
San Lorenzo Valley High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7105 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4425
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4425
Grades: 9-12
| 622 students
Rank: #1515.
Scotts Valley Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8 Bean Creek Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0610
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0610
Grades: 6-8
| 451 students
Rank: #1616.
Lakeside Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
19621 Black Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 354-2372
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 354-2372
Grades: K-5
| 77 students
Rank: #1717.
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: #1818.
Rio Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
819 Pinehurst Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-2053
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-2053
Grades: K-6
| 408 students
Rank: #1919.
Slvusd Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
325 Marion Ave.
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-0932
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-0932
Grades: K-12
| 290 students
Rank: #2020.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
250 Aptos School Rd.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7836
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7836
Grades: K-6
| 487 students
Rank: #2121.
San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7155 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4475
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4475
Grades: K-5
| 562 students
Rank: #2222.
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: #2323.
Aptos High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Mariner Way
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Grades: 9-12
| 1,316 students
Rank: #2424.
Pacific Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
50 Ocean St.
Davenport, CA 95017
(831) 425-7002
Davenport, CA 95017
(831) 425-7002
Grades: K-6
| 167 students
Rank: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
Soquel High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Grades: 9-12
| 1,048 students
Rank: #28 - 3228. - 32.
Diamond Technology Institute
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
112 Diamond Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Grades: 9-12
| 83 students
Rank: #28 - 3228. - 32.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
Rank: #28 - 3228. - 32.
Opal Cliffs
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4510 Jade St.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5630
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5630
Grades: K-8
| 6 students
Rank: #28 - 3228. - 32.
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: #28 - 3228. - 32.
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: #3333.
New Brighton Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
250 Washburn Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Grades: 6-8
| 611 students
Rank: #3434.
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: #3535.
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
Show 50 more public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA (out of 85 total schools)
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Santa Cruz County 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
504 Monterey Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5640
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5640
Grades: K-5
| 222 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
1815 Salinas Rd./hwy. 1
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Grades: 6-8
| 541 students
255 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Grades: K-5
| 299 students
6134 Highway Nine
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 336-5193
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 336-5193
Grades: K-6
| 409 students
6134 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 338-7298
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 338-7298
Grades: K-6
| 294 students
Rising Star Elementary School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Po Box 50010
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Grades: 1-6
| 4 students
River View High School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
325 Marion Ave
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-4425
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-4425
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Grades: K-5
| 486 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
325 Marion Ave.
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 336-9678
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 336-9678
Grades: K-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
Solano Summit Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
15 Madison St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Grades: 6-8
| 25 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Happy Valley Elementary School, Pacific Collegiate Charter and Loma Prieta Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
85 public schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What percentage of students in Santa Cruz County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz County are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public schools minority enrollment is 67% 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 County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Santa Cruz County include: Brook Knoll Elementary School vs. Vine Hill Elementary School, Delta Charter vs. Aptos High School, Watsonville High School vs. Pajaro Valley High School
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