For the 2024-25 school year, there are 29 public middle schools serving 10,547 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, C. T. English Middle School and Tierra Pacifica Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 77% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Cruz County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 533 students
Rank: #22.
C. T. English Middle School
Magnet 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
| 167 students
Rank: #33.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 155 students
Rank: #44.
Scotts Valley Middle School
Magnet 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
| 481 students
Rank: #55.
Slvusd Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 297 students
Rank: #66.
Mission Hill Middle School
Magnet 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
| 544 students
Rank: #77.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 N. Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: K-12
| 108 students
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Opal Cliffs
Magnet School
(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
| 3 students
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Santa Cruz County Court
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 65 students
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 100 students
Rank: #1111.
New Brighton Middle School
Magnet 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
| 648 students
Rank: #1212.
Linscott Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
220 Elm St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Grades: K-8
| 259 students
Rank: #1313.
Aptos Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1001 Hntngtn Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-3234
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-3234
Grades: 7-8
| 594 students
Rank: #1414.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
840 N. Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: 6-12
| 47 students
Rank: #1515.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
Magnet School
(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
| 84 students
Rank: #1616.
Branciforte Middle School
Magnet 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
| 389 students
Rank: #1717.
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7179 Hacienda Way
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4452
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4452
Grades: 6-8
| 381 students
Rank: #1818.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
260 W. Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Grades: 6-12
| 511 students
Rank: #1919.
Shoreline Middle School
Magnet 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
| 441 students
Rank: #2020.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 E. Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Grades: K-12
| 152 students
Rank: #2121.
Alianza Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Grades: K-8
| 640 students
Rank: #2222.
Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Casserly Rd. W. Campus
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Grades: K-8
| 385 students
Rank: #2323.
Santa Cruz County Community
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 741 students
Rank: #2424.
Pacific Coast Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Grades: K-12
| 165 students
Rank: #2525.
Pajaro Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
250 Salinas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Grades: 6-8
| 440 students
Rank: #2626.
Lakeview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2350 E. Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Grades: 6-8
| 438 students
Rank: #2727.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
440 Arthur Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Grades: 6-8
| 552 students
Rank: #2828.
Rolling Hills Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
130 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Grades: 6-8
| 619 students
Rank: #2929.
E. A. Hall Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Brewington Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Grades: 6-8
| 608 students
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 middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, C. T. English Middle School and Tierra Pacifica Charter.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
29 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public middle schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 77% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Santa Cruz County include: Rolling Hills Middle School vs. Aptos Junior High School, Ocean Alternative Education Center vs. Tierra Pacifica Charter, Linscott Charter vs. Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
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