For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 3,740 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz High School and Alternative Family Education. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public high schools.
Santa Cruz, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 81%, 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 54% 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, CA (2026)
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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
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 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #88.
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: #99.
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 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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, 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 high schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz High School and Alternative Family Education.
How many public high schools are located in Santa Cruz?
10 public high schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public high schools minority enrollment is 54% 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 are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Santa Cruz include: Harbor High School vs. Santa Cruz High School, Santa Cruz High School vs. Harbor High School, Pacific Collegiate Charter vs. Santa Cruz High School
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
