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Best Santa Cruz Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 20 public elementary schools serving 5,527 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Happy Valley Elementary School, Brook Knoll Elementary School and Westlake Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3125 Branciforte Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-1456
Gr: K-6 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Brook Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
151 Brook Knoll Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2454
Gr: K-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #33.
Westlake Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1000 High St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3878
Gr: K-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
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 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #55.
Bonny Doon Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1492 Pine Flat Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2300
Gr: K-6 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
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 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
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 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #99.
De Laveaga Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1145 Morrissey Blvd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-3807
Gr: K-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Green Acres Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
966 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Gr: K-5 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1111.
Live Oak Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1916 Capitola Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-2000
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1212.
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8005 Winkle Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 464-5670
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1313.
Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1959 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Gr: K-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1515.
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 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1616.
Gault Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1320 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3856
Gr: K-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1717.
Bay View Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1231 Bay St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3991
Gr: K-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1818.
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 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1919.
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-5 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2020.
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 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
[+] Show Closed 51爆料s in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California 51爆料s (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Ben Lomond Youth Conservation Camp High School (Closed 2006)
13575 Empire Grade Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students
Cypress Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Monarch Elementary Alternative (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
313 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Gr: K-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Natural Bridges Elementary School (Closed 2005)
255 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Gr: K-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Santa Cruz County Cypress Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Gr: 9-12
Sequoia Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
319 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Gr: 7-12
Sojourn Middle Charter (Closed 2004)
Charter School
157 Trescony St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Gr: 6-8 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 22%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Happy Valley Elementary School, Brook Knoll Elementary School and Westlake Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz?
20 public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public elementary schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Santa Cruz are often viewed compared to one another?

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