For the 2025 school year, there are 29 public middle schools serving 10,214 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, C. T. English Middle School and Scotts Valley Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Cruz County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3004 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Gr: 7-12 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
Aptos Junior High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1001 Huntington Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-3234
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-3234
Gr: 7-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7179 Hacienda Way
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4452
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4452
Gr: 6-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Shoreline Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
855 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Gr: 6-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1717.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
260 West Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Gr: 6-12 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Santa Cruz County Court
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Gr: 7-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Gr: K-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2020.
Alianza Charter
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Gr: K-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2121.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Gr: K-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2222.
Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Casserly Rd. West Campus
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Gr: K-8 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2323.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Gr: K-12 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2424.
Santa Cruz County Community
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Gr: 7-12 | 733 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2525.
Pajaro Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
250 Salinas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Gr: 7-8 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #2626.
Lakeview Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2350 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Gr: 6-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2727.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
440 Arthur Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Gr: 6-8 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2828.
Rolling Hills Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
130 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Gr: 6-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2929.
E. A. Hall Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Brewington Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Gr: 6-8 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
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 middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, C. T. English Middle School and Scotts Valley Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
29 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public middle schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Santa Cruz County include: Rolling Hills Middle School vs. Aptos Junior High School, Ocean Alternative Education Center vs. Tierra Pacifica Charter, Linscott Charter vs. Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
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