For the 2025-26 school year, there are 25 public high schools serving 12,707 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, Slvusd Charter and Scotts Valley High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public high schools.
Santa Cruz County, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less 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 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Santa Cruz County (2025-26)
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.
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: #33.
Scotts Valley High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
555 Glenwood Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9555
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9555
Gr: 9-12 | 655 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
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 | 1,104 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Diamond Technology Institute
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
112 Diamond Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6225
Gr: 9-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #66.
San Lorenzo Valley High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7105 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4425
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4425
Gr: 9-12 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
Aptos High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Mariner Way
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 728-7832
Gr: 9-12 | 1,316 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 1,048 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 1,040 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1212.
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: #13 - 1513. - 15.
New School Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
165 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-6140
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
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: #13 - 1513. - 15.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
Pajaro Valley High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
500 Harkins Slough Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8102
Gr: 9-12 | 1,428 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
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 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2020.
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: #2121.
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 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2222.
Watsonville High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,253 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2323.
Renaissance High Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
11 Spring Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6344
Gr: 9-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter
Charter School
229 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 466-5697
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 466-5697
Gr: 12 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz County Rop
Vocational School
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Gr: 10-12
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 high schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, Slvusd Charter and Scotts Valley High School.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
25 public high schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public high schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Santa Cruz County include: Delta Charter vs. Aptos High School, Watsonville High School vs. Pajaro Valley High School, Harbor High School vs. Santa Cruz High School
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