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Schools in Bonny Doon · Santa Cruz City High School District, Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District

Bonny Doon’s public schools outscore 75% of California districts

Reading proficiency in Bonny Doon’s districts is 58%, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Bonny Doon, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#197of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 12 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▲ 4 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 7 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$0.3K
▼ 99% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Santa Cruz City High
Students per teacher
19.8
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
4,191 students on the public path
In brief

Bonny Doon’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 342 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bonny Doon’s, its schools beat 63%, lower than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 37% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Santa Cruz City High spends $309 per student and Bonny Doon Union Elementary $28,423, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Bonny Doon’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 75% of California school districts, #197 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 75%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (342)Better than 63%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,735 test results and a graduating class of 802 could put Bonny Doon anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of Bonny Doon’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,738 in math, 1,731 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bonny Doon, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6Bonny Doon ElementaryBonny Doon Union Elementary School DistrictNo scores
7–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A+

Bonny Doon runs its own schools through grade 12 (Santa Cruz City High School District). From grade K, students attend the Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District. Its middle school is in Santa Cruz. Parts of Bonny Doon (2% of its land) are served by Pacific Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Bonny Doon

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Santa Cruz City High School DistrictGrades K–12 · 9 schools · 4,455 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 20.0 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$309CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Bonny Doon Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–6 · 1 schools · 92 students, down 14% since 2020–21 · 15.3 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$28,423CA $21,206 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · K–12, Santa Cruz City High School District58%
State average 46.7% · 1664 students tested
Math · K–12, Santa Cruz City High School District36%
State average 33.1% · 1670 students tested
Reading · K–6, Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District67%
State average 46.7% · 67 students tested
Math · K–6, Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District52%
State average 33.1% · 68 students tested

Bonny Doon vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Bonny Doon’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Bonny DoonA−Santa Cruz City High K–12 · Bonny Doon Union Elementary K–6

Every school in Bonny Doon

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Bonny Doonby address
Bonny Doon Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Santa Cruz
92 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Bonny Doonin other towns
Mission Hill Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Santa Cruz
510 students18:1Rate it →
Branciforte Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Santa Cruz
409 students18:1Rate it →
Santa Cruz High
High · Grades 9–12 · Santa Cruz
A+
1,093 students24:1Rate it →
Soquel High
High · Grades 9–12 · Soquel
A
1,074 students20:1Rate it →
Harbor High
High · Grades 9–12 · Santa Cruz
B+
1,013 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Bonny Doon’s schools

Are Bonny Doon’s schools good?

By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bonny Doon children attend outscore 75% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #197 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bonny Doon in?

Two districts: Santa Cruz City High School District runs grades K–12, and Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District runs grades K–6.

Where do Bonny Doon kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Santa Cruz High, Soquel High and Harbor High.

What is Bonny Doon’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Santa Cruz City High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Bonny Doon spend per student?

$309 in Santa Cruz City High School District and $28,423 in Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Bonny Doon families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bonny Doon → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.