Schools in 95060 — Santa Cruz, California
95060 has 7 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 52.1 — 8.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 32.9 to 71.5, a 38.6-point spread. 1 school ranks in the 90th percentile or above statewide.
How 95060 schools perform
The top-ranked school is Santa Cruz High with a Scope Score of 72 and 37.5% of students exceeding standard.
High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 28.2% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.
Declining trajectory: Average proficiency drops by 10.6 percentage points from grade 3 to grade 5 across 95060. This pattern in test scores may reflect a variety of factors and is worth examining school by school.
Chronic absenteeism across 95060 averages 17.9%, near the state average of 18.1%.
How 95060 compares to nearby zip codes
School archetypes in 95060
Hidden gems: 1 school in 95060 is classified as Growth Engine — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
All schools in 95060
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz City High Strong All-Around | 37.5% | Strong 72/100 |
| 2 | Westlake Elementary Santa Cruz City Elementary Growth Engine | 41.5% | Solid 62/100 |
| 3 | Brook Knoll Elementary Scotts Valley Unified Solid Base | 37.0% | Solid 60/100 |
| 4 | Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum | 25.4% | Solid 55/100 |
| 5 | Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz City Elementary Building Momentum | 26.8% | Developing 45/100 |
| 6 | Bonny Doon Elementary Bonny Doon Union Elementary Building Momentum | 23.8% | Developing 39/100 |
| 7 | Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz County Office of Education Building Momentum | 5.7% | Developing 33/100 |
Schools in 95060 on the map
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.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about 95060
- 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