Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public High Schools in Santa Cruz County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Cruz County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 25 public high schools serving 12,707 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, Slvusd Charter and Scotts Valley High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public high schools.
Santa Cruz County, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Santa Cruz High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 66% 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 County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1212.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
260 West Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Gr: 6-12 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Gr: 9-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
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: #13 - 1513. - 15.
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: #1616.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Gr: K-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1717.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Gr: K-12 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1818.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Gr: 9-12 | 1,293 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
Delta Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
6500 Soquel Dr. Bldg. 1190
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 477-5212
Gr: 9-12 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2222.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,215 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Gr: 9-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter
Charter School
229 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 466-5697
Gr: 12 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Rop
Vocational School
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Gr: 10-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, Slvusd Charter and Scotts Valley High School.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
25 public high schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public high schools minority enrollment is 66% 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 County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
California Top-Ranked Public Schools
California Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons

More Articles

Parenting and Learning Issues
Opinion
About Public Schools
Evaluating Public Schools
Scholarships