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Elementary Schools in Santa Cruz, California

Near Average2024–25 data21 schools · avg 47.0/100

Santa Cruz, California has 21 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 47.0/100 — 3.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Santa Cruz High at 72/100, where 37.5% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Santa Cruz schools average 22.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.5% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
47.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
49.5
22.0 – 71.5
Avg Exceeded %
22.9%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
19.5%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
21
With Scope Scores

How Santa Cruz schools compare

Santa Cruz's 21 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 47.0 — 3.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 22.0 to 71.5, a 49.5-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Santa Cruz High with a Scope Score of 72 and 37.5% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Santa Cruz averages 19.5%, which is near the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Santa Cruz

5 Strong All-Around3 Culture First13 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Santa Cruz ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Santa Cruz High
Santa Cruz City High Strong All-Around
37.5%Strong
72/100
2Westlake Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary Strong All-Around
41.5%Solid
62/100
3Happy Valley Elementary
Happy Valley Elementary Strong All-Around
41.0%Solid
61/100
4Brook Knoll Elementary
Scotts Valley Unified Strong All-Around
37.0%Solid
60/100
5Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-M
Santa Cruz City Elementary Strong All-Around
30.9%Solid
58/100
6Mission Hill Middle
Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum
25.4%Solid
55/100
7De Laveaga Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary Culture First
25.5%Solid
53/100
8Harbor High
Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum
19.9%Developing
49/100
9Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Soquel Union Elementary Culture First
20.1%Developing
49/100
10Branciforte Middle
Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum
21.3%Developing
48/100
11Gault Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary Culture First
22.3%Developing
45/100
12Shoreline Middle
Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum
17.8%Developing
45/100
13Bay View Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary Building Momentum
26.8%Developing
45/100
14Ark Independent Studies
Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum
16.7%Developing
42/100
15Green Acres Elementary
Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum
22.6%Developing
41/100
16Bonny Doon Elementary
Bonny Doon Union Elementary Building Momentum
23.8%Developing
39/100
17Live Oak Elementary
Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum
15.4%Developing
39/100
18Tierra Pacifica Charter
Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum
16.1%Developing
37/100
19Santa Cruz County Community
Santa Cruz County Office of Education Building Momentum
5.7%Developing
33/100
20Del Mar Elementary
Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum
14.1%Developing
32/100
21Costanoa Continuation High
Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
22/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Santa Cruz

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Gateway School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 181 students
9:1Private
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 163 students
7:1Private
Holy Cross School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 139 students
12:1Private
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 128 students
9:1Private
Vhm Christian School
Pentecostal · Grades Pre-K-8 · 62 students
12:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Santa Cruz

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Santa Cruz good?
Santa Cruz's 21 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 47.0/100, which is 3.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. 22.9% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Santa Cruz?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Santa Cruz is Santa Cruz High with a Scope Score of 72/100 and 37.5% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Santa Cruz schools compare to the state average?
Santa Cruz elementary schools average a Scope Score of 47.0 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (3.2 points above). The exceeded rate averages 22.9% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 19.5% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 22.0 to 71.5, a 49.5-point spread.
How many schools are in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has 21 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in Santa CruzSanta Cruz City HighSanta Cruz City ElementaryHappy Valley ElementaryScotts Valley UnifiedSoquel Union ElementaryLive Oak ElementaryBonny Doon Union ElementarySanta Cruz County Office of Education

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