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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Cruz County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 84 public schools serving 34,133 students in Santa Cruz County, CA (there are 30 private schools, serving 6,193 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 30% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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 (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.
Loma Prieta Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1106
Gr: K-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
C. T. English Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1123
Gr: 6-8 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #66.
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: #77.
Vine Hill Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
151 Vine Hill School Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-1090
Gr: K-5 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Lexington Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
19700 Old Santa Cruz Hwy.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 335-2150
Gr: K-5 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #99.
Lakeside Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
19621 Black Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 354-2372
Gr: K-5 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1010.
Main Street Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3400 North Main St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
Gr: K-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Scotts Valley Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8 Bean Creek Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0610
Gr: 6-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3042 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-6812
Gr: K-6 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
Pacific Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
50 Ocean St.
Davenport, CA 95017
(831) 425-7002
Gr: K-6 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Slvusd Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
325 Marion Ave.
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-0932
Gr: K-12 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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: #1616.
Scotts Valley High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
555 Glenwood Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9555
Gr: 9-12 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1717.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
250 Aptos School Rd.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7836
Gr: K-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1818.
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 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1919.
Rio Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
819 Pinehurst Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-2053
Gr: K-6 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2020.
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: #2121.
San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7155 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4475
Gr: K-5 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2222.
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: #2323.
Diamond Technology Institute
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
112 Diamond Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2424.
San Lorenzo Valley High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7105 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4425
Gr: 9-12 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
New Brighton Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
250 Washburn Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Gr: 6-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2828.
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: #2929.
Aptos High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 Mariner Way
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Gr: 9-12 | 1,274 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #3030.
Soquel High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
401 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Gr: 9-12 | 1,074 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3131.
Soquel Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2700 Porter St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5655
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
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: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Linscott Charter
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
220 Elm St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Gr: K-8 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #3434.
Boulder Creek Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Lomond St.
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6413
Gr: K-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3535.
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%
Show 49 more public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA (out of 84 total schools)
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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?

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