For the 2026-27 school year, there are 2 public charter schools serving 702 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter and Tierra Pacifica Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 48% statewide average). Charter schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of California public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (2026-27)
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 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
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 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Santa Cruz, California 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
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%
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%
Santa Cruz County 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
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter and Tierra Pacifica Charter.
How many public charter schools are located in Santa Cruz?
2 public charter schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public charter schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
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