Top Rankings
Santa Cruz City High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 3,536 students in Santa Cruz City High School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Santa Cruz City High School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Santa Cruz City High School District have a Graduation Rate of 91%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Santa Cruz High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,790 Schools
# Students
4,455 Students
2,122,151 Students
# Teachers
224 Teachers
101,015 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Santa Cruz City High School District, which is ranked #515 of all 1,903 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#488 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
29%
Graduation Rate
92%
86.2%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)27.4%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
12%
% Hispanic
41%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
47%
21%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Best Santa Cruz City High School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Santa Cruz High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
415 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Gr: 9-12 | 1,093 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #44.
Soquel High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
401 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Gr: 9-12 | 1,074 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #55.
Harbor High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #66.
Costanoa Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #77.
Delta Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6500 Soquel Dr. Bldg. 1190
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 477-5212
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 477-5212
Gr: 9-12 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Recent Articles
How Often Does Your Child's School Change Teachers Between Grade Levels?
Learn how teacher movement between grade levels affects continuity, experience, instruction, and school stability, plus the questions parents should ask about staffing patterns before choosing a public school today.
The School Pickup Test: What Arrival and Dismissal Reveal About a Public School
Discover what school arrival and dismissal reveal about safety, supervision, organization, communication, student behavior, transportation, and school climate before choosing the right public school for your child and family.
Should Siblings Attend the Same Public School?
Should siblings attend the same public school? Learn when academic needs, learning styles, programs, social fit, support services, and individual interests may make different schools better choices for children.
