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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Cruz Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 3,196 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, Tierra Pacifica Charter and Mission Hill Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #1111.
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, Tierra Pacifica Charter and Mission Hill Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz?
11 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public middle schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Cruz are often viewed compared to one another?

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