For the 2025 school year, there are 62 public elementary schools serving 21,881 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Happy Valley Elementary School, Loma Prieta Elementary School and Brook Knoll Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% 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 County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3125 Branciforte Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-1456
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-1456
Gr: K-6 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Loma Prieta Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1106
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1106
Gr: K-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Brook Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
151 Brook Knoll Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2454
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2454
Gr: K-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
C. T. English Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1123
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1123
Gr: 6-8 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #55.
Westlake Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 High St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3878
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3878
Gr: K-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #66.
Vine Hill Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
151 Vine Hill School Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-1090
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-1090
Gr: K-5 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Lexington Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
19700 Old Santa Cruz Hwy.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 335-2150
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 335-2150
Gr: K-5 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #88.
Lakeside Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
19621 Black Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 354-2372
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 354-2372
Gr: K-5 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #99.
Main Street Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3400 North Main St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
Gr: K-5 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1010.
Scotts Valley Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8 Bean Creek Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0610
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0610
Gr: 6-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3042 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-6812
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-6812
Gr: K-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1212.
Pacific Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
50 Ocean St.
Davenport, CA 95017
(831) 425-7002
Davenport, CA 95017
(831) 425-7002
Gr: K-6 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Slvusd Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
325 Marion Ave.
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-0932
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-0932
Gr: K-12 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
986 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Gr: K-8 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1515.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
250 Aptos School Rd.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7836
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7836
Gr: K-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
Rio Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
819 Pinehurst Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-2053
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-2053
Gr: K-6 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1717.
Bonny Doon Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1492 Pine Flat Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2300
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2300
Gr: K-6 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1818.
San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7155 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4475
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4475
Gr: K-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1919.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Gr: 6-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2020.
Opal Cliffs
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4510 Jade St.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5630
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5630
Gr: K-8 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2121.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2222.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 6-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2323.
New Brighton Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
250 Washburn Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Gr: 6-8 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2424.
De Laveaga Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1145 Morrissey Blvd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-3807
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 429-3807
Gr: K-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2525.
Soquel Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2700 Porter St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5655
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5655
Gr: K-5 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Green Acres Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
966 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Gr: K-5 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Linscott Charter
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
220 Elm St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Gr: K-8 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2828.
Boulder Creek Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Lomond St.
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6413
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6413
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2929.
Live Oak Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1916 Capitola Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-2000
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-2000
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #3030.
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8005 Winkle Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 464-5670
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 464-5670
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3131.
Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1959 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Gr: K-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3232.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Gr: 6-8 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3333.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
984 Bostwick Ln. Ste. 6
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Gr: K-8 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3434.
Mar Vista Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6860 Soquel Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-5211
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-5211
Gr: K-6 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3535.
Gault Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1320 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3856
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3856
Gr: K-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Show 27 more public schools in Santa Cruz County, CA (out of 62 total schools)
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Santa Cruz County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
13575 Empire Grade Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students
504 Monterey Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5640
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5640
Gr: K-5 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Cypress Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
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
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Gr: K-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
1815 Salinas Rd./hwy. 1
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 633-5881
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
255 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Gr: K-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
6134 Highway Nine
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 336-5193
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 336-5193
Gr: K-6 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
6134 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 338-7298
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 338-7298
Gr: K-6 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rising Star Elementary School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Po Box 50010
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 728-8104
Gr: 1-6 | 4 students Minority enrollment: 75%
River View High School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
325 Marion Ave
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-4425
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-4425
Gr: 9-12
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6380
Gr: K-5 | 486 students Minority enrollment: 90%
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
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
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
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Gr: 6-8 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 22%
Solano Summit Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
15 Madison St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-9725
Gr: 6-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Happy Valley Elementary School, Loma Prieta Elementary School and Brook Knoll Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
62 public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 67% 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 County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County include: Brook Knoll Elementary School vs. Vine Hill Elementary School, Bay View Elementary School vs. Westlake Elementary School, Vine Hill Elementary School vs. Brook Knoll Elementary School
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