For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 3,809 students in 95062, CA (there are 4 private schools, serving 175 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in 95062, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in 95062, CA are Tierra Pacifica Charter, Alternative Family Education and Green Acres Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 95062 have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in 95062, CA have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best 95062, CA Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | 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
Grades: K-8
| 163 students
Rank: #22.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | 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
Grades: K-12
| 110 students
Rank: #33.
Green Acres Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
966 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0111
Grades: K-5
| 301 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,040 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: K-5
| 362 students
Rank: #66.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: 6-12
| 52 students
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Del Mar Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1959 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-2063
Grades: K-5
| 310 students
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
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
Grades: K-5
| 291 students
Rank: #7 - 97. - 9.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
984 Bostwick Ln. Ste. 6
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Grades: K-8
| 74 students
Rank: #1010.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Grades: 6-8
| 435 students
Rank: #1111.
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: K-5
| 121 students
Rank: #1212.
Shoreline Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
855 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Grades: 6-8
| 463 students
Rank: #1313.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 87 students
Rank: n/an/a
984-1 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6333
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6333
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
95062, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 119 students
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Sequoia Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
319 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in 95062, CA?
The top ranked public schools in 95062, CA include Tierra Pacifica Charter, Alternative Family Education and Green Acres Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in 95062?
14 public schools are located in 95062.
What percentage of students in 95062 go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in 95062 are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in 95062?
95062 public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.