Best Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County, CA has a total of 112 schools including 31 high schools, 16 middle schools and 55 elementary schools. A total of 44,418 students attend Santa Cruz County, CA schools. On average, schools in Santa Cruz County score 42% on their proficiency tests, and we project an average score of 42% on those same proficiency tests. Comparing the differences, on average, schools in Santa Cruz County meet expectations.
Best High Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County, CA has 31 high schools with 15,786 students. Below are the top high schools based on their actual test performance displayed alongside our projected performance for their socioeconomic status and the Teacher Grade we assign based on expected performance. On average, high schools in Santa Cruz County score 52% on their proficiency tests, and we project and average score of 50% on those same proficiency tests. Comparing the differences, on average, high schools in Santa Cruz County exceed expectations.
1. Los Gatos High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Los Gatos-saratoga Union High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2067 Students
2. Santa Cruz High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Santa Cruz City High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1092 Students
3. Soquel High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Santa Cruz City High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 974 Students
4. Diamond Technology Institute
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Charter • Grades 9 - 12 • 83 Students
5. Scotts Valley High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Scotts Valley Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 690 Students
6. San Lorenzo Valley High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Lorenzo Valley Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 643 Students
7. Harbor High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Santa Cruz City High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1023 Students
8. Anzar High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Aromas - San Juan Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 276 Students
9. Costanoa Continuation High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Santa Cruz City High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 90 Students
10. Watsonville High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2244 Students
Best Middle Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County, CA has 16 middle schools with 6,770 students. Below are the top middle schools based on their actual test performance displayed alongside our projected performance for their socioeconomic status and the Teacher Grade we assign based on expected performance. On average, middle schools in Santa Cruz County score 27% on their proficiency tests, and we project and average score of 36% on those same proficiency tests. Comparing the differences, on average, middle schools in Santa Cruz County underperform expectations.
1. Scotts Valley Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Scotts Valley Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 481 Students
2. Shoreline Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Live Oak Elementary • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 441 Students
3. E. A. Hall Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 608 Students
4. Rolling Hills Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 619 Students
5. Cesar E. Chavez Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 552 Students
6. C. T. English Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 167 Students
7. Aptos Junior High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 594 Students
8. New Brighton Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Soquel Union Elementary • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 648 Students
9. Mission Hill Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Santa Cruz City High • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 544 Students
10. San Lorenzo Valley Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Lorenzo Valley Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 381 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County, CA has 55 elementary schools with 17,541 students. Below are the top elementary schools based on their actual test performance displayed alongside our projected performance for their socioeconomic status and the Teacher Grade we assign based on expected performance. On average, elementary schools in Santa Cruz County score 43% on their proficiency tests, and we project and average score of 40% on those same proficiency tests. Comparing the differences, on average, elementary schools in Santa Cruz County exceed expectations.
1. Brook Knoll Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Scotts Valley Unified • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 464 Students
2. Vine Hill Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Scotts Valley Unified • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 531 Students
3. Tierra Pacifica Charter
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Live Oak Elementary • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 155 Students
4. Lakeside Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Lakeside Joint • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 73 Students
5. Aromas
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Aromas - San Juan Unified • Public • Grades KG - 8 • 381 Students
6. Alianza Charter
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pajaro Valley Unified • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 640 Students
7. Baymonte Christian School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Baymonte Christian School • Private • Grades Pre K - 8 • 448 Students
8. Loma Prieta Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 266 Students
9. Orchard School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Orchard School • Private • Grades KG - 6 • 45 Students
10. Happy Valley Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Happy Valley Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 120 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Santa Cruz County, CA
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Santa Cruz County, CA has a total population of 270,861 with 28% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 87%, and 42% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Santa Cruz County, CA
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Santa Cruz County, CA.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
26.56 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
4.98 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
21.58 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Santa Cruz County, CA.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Santa Cruz County, CA.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Santa Cruz County, CA Internet Health Assessment.
Best Schools in Cities Near Santa Cruz County, CA
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual Test Scores: 54%
- Projected Test Scores: 50%
- Teacher Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 36%
- Projected Test Scores: 36%
- Teacher Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 26%
- Projected Test Scores: 34%
- Teacher Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 20%
- Projected Test Scores: 27%
- Teacher Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 33%
- Projected Test Scores: 30%
- Teacher Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 27%
- Projected Test Scores: 28%
- Teacher Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 26%
- Projected Test Scores: 28%
- Teacher Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 24%
- Projected Test Scores: 29%
- Teacher Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 43%
- Projected Test Scores: 41%
- Teacher Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual Test Scores: 40%
- Projected Test Scores: 38%
- Teacher Grade: Meets Expectations