Top 10 Best Santa Cruz Public Middle Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 3,288 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Tierra Pacifica Charter, Mission Hill Middle School and Santa Cruz County Special Education. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 47% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 77% (majority Hispanic).

Best Santa Cruz, CA Public Middle Schools (2024)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
986 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Grades: K-8
| 155 students
Rank: #22.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 66% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Grades: 6-8
| 565 students
Rank: #33.
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Grades: K-12
| 102 students
Rank: #44.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
840 N. Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: K-12
| 118 students
Rank: #55.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 59% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Grades: 6-8
| 423 students
Rank: #66.
Santa Cruz County Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Grades: 7-12
| 59 students
Rank: #77.
Shoreline Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
855 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Grades: 6-8
| 457 students
Rank: #88.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
984 Bostwick Ln. Ste. 6
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Grades: K-8
| 110 students
Rank: #99.
Santa Cruz County Community
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Grades: 7-12
| 657 students
Rank: n/an/a
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
840 N. Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Grades: 6-12
| 86 students
Rank: n/an/a
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Charter School
3004 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Grades: 7-12
| 556 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
13575 Empire Grade Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Grades: 9-12
| 37 students
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Grades: 9-12
| 119 students
313 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Grades: K-8
| 75 students
255 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Grades: K-5
| 299 students
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
319 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
157 Trescony St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Grades: 6-8
| 30 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Tierra Pacifica Charter, Mission Hill Middle School and Santa Cruz County Special Education.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz, CA?
11 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz, CA.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz, CA?
Santa Cruz, CA public middle schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 77% (majority Hispanic).

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