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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Cruz County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 62 public elementary schools serving 21,881 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Happy Valley Elementary School, Loma Prieta Elementary School and Brook Knoll Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 46% statewide average). Elementary schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary 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.
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: #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.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #25 - 2625. - 26.
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: #25 - 2625. - 26.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
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: #3030.
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: #3131.
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: #3232.
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: #3333.
Mar Vista Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6860 Soquel Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-5211
Gr: K-6 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #3434.
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: #3535.
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%
Show 27 more public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA (out of 62 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Happy Valley Elementary School, Loma Prieta Elementary School and Brook Knoll Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
62 public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?

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