Photo: Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0Santa Cruz’s public schools outscore 78% of California districts
On the state math tests, 44% of Santa Cruz’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Santa Cruz, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. 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 2020’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Santa Cruz’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide. Test scores ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pacific Collegiate Charter, Holy Cross School (private), Gateway School (private), Spring Hill-Advanced Elementary School of Santa CR (private) and Santa Cruz Childrens School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Santa Cruz’s grade
A−: better than 78% of California school districts, #185 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; there is no graduation rate to add.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Santa Cruz, with each school’s own grade.
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Santa Cruz
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
Santa Cruz vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Santa Cruz’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | A− | Santa Cruz City Elementary K–5 · Santa Cruz City High |
Every school in Santa Cruz
19 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Santa Cruz County ROP and Santa Cruz County Court).
Questions about Santa Cruz’s schools
Are Santa Cruz’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Santa Cruz children attend outscore 78% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #185 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020.
What school district is Santa Cruz in?
Santa Cruz City Elementary School District, which runs grades K–5 and enrolls 1,756 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Are there private schools in Santa Cruz?
Yes: Holy Cross School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 208 students), Gateway School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 144 students), Spring Hill-Advanced Elementary School of Santa CR (nonsectarian, grades K–6, 72 students) and Santa Cruz Childrens School (nonsectarian, grades K–6, 46 students). Santa Cruz also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Santa Cruz families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Cruz → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2020) 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.