For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 3,789 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz High School and Alternative Family Education. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public high schools.
Santa Cruz, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is equal to the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Santa Cruz High School, with 97% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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
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 high schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz High School and Alternative Family Education.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Cruz?
10 public high schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public high schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Santa Cruz are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Santa Cruz include: Harbor High School vs. Santa Cruz High School, Santa Cruz High School vs. Harbor High School, Pacific Collegiate Charter vs. Santa Cruz High School
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