Photo: John Pilge · Public domainBoulder Creek’s public schools outscore 74% of California districts
In Boulder Creek, 42% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Boulder Creek, 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.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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.
Boulder Creek’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 572 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Boulder Creek’s, its schools beat 89%, higher than their 74% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,595 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is San Lorenzo Valley Middle, then San Lorenzo Valley High. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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.
What’s behind Boulder Creek’s grade
B+: better than 74% of California school districts, #202 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Boulder Creek, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Elementary
Grades K–5 · 416 students · 20:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Elementary
Grades K–5 · 416 students · 20:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Elementary
Grades K–5 · 416 students · 20:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Elementary
Grades K–5 · 416 students · 20:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Elementary
Grades K–5 · 416 students · 20:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek Elementary
Grades K–5 · 416 students · 20:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 396 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Felton
7th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 396 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Felton
8th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 396 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Felton
9th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 578 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Felton
10th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 578 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Felton
11th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 578 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Felton
12th grade in Boulder Creek
San Lorenzo Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 578 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Felton
Boulder Creek’s public schools are run by San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. Parts of Boulder Creek (4% and 4% of its land) are served by Bonny Doon Union Elementary and Santa Cruz City High instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Boulder Creek vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Boulder Creek’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Creek | B+ | San Lorenzo Valley Unified |
Every school in Boulder Creek
3 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).
Questions about Boulder Creek’s schools
Are Boulder Creek’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Boulder Creek children attend outscore 74% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #202 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 89%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Boulder Creek in?
San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,228 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Boulder Creek are served by Bonny Doon Union Elementary and Santa Cruz City High.
Where do Boulder Creek kids go to high school?
San Lorenzo Valley High in Felton, with 578 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Boulder Creek’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Boulder Creek spend per student?
$15,595 in San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Boulder Creek families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Boulder Creek → 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.