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Best Public Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Cruz Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 8,991 students in Santa Cruz, CA (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,293 private students). 89% 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 34%), 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3125 Branciforte Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-1456
Gr: K-6 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3004 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Gr: 7-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Brook Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
151 Brook Knoll Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2454
Gr: K-5 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Westlake Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1000 High St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3878
Gr: K-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
986 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Gr: K-8 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Santa Cruz High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
415 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Gr: 9-12 | 1,093 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #77.
Bonny Doon Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1492 Pine Flat Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2300
Gr: K-6 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #88.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Gr: 6-8 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #99.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1010.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1111.
De Laveaga Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1145 Morrissey Blvd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-3807
Gr: K-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1212.
Green Acres Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
966 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Gr: K-5 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1313.
Live Oak Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1916 Capitola Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-2000
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1414.
Harbor High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
300 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1515.
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8005 Winkle Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 464-5670
Gr: K-5 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1616.
Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1959 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Gr: K-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Gr: 6-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1818.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
984 Bostwick Ln. Ste. 6
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Gr: K-8 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1919.
Gault Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1320 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3856
Gr: K-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2020.
Bay View Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1231 Bay St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3991
Gr: K-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2121.
Shoreline Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
855 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Gr: 6-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2222.
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-5 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Santa Cruz County Court
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Gr: 7-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Gr: K-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2525.
Costanoa Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2626.
Santa Cruz County Community
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Gr: 7-12 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Rop
Vocational School
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Gr: 10-12
Rank: n/an/a
Special Education Preschool
984-1 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6333

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?
89% 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?

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