Schools in 95062 — Santa Cruz, California: 11 schools. Average score 4.2 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
95062 has 11 ranked schools in Santa Cruz, averaging a Scope Score of 40.6/100 — 4.2 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025). Scores range from 19.1 to 62.1, a 43.0-point spread.
How 95062 schools perform
The top-ranked school is Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-M with a Scope Score of 62 and 30.9% of students exceeding standard.
Average proficiency falls 10.5 percentage points from grade 3 to grade 5 across 95062. This pattern in test scores may reflect a variety of factors and is worth examining school by school.
Chronic absenteeism across 95062 averages 21.8%, above the state average of 17.9%. CDE CAASPP 2025.
How 95062 compares to nearby zip codes
| Zip | City | Schools | Avg Score | vs 95062 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95062 | Santa Cruz | 11 | Developing 40.6/100 | — |
| 95060 | Santa Cruz | 8 | Solid 53.8/100 | +13.2 |
| 95065 | Santa Cruz | 3 | Solid 54.3/100 | +13.6 |
| 95066 | Scotts Valley | 4 | Solid 55.7/100 | +15.1 |
| 95054 | Santa Clara | 4 | Solid 51.7/100 | +11.1 |
| 95070 | Saratoga | 9 | Strong 78.9/100 | +38.3 |
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
School archetypes in 95062
Hidden gems: 3 schools in 95062 are classified as Growth Engine (2) or On the Rise — 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 95062
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-M Santa Cruz City Elementary Growth Engine | 30.9% | Solid 62/100 |
| 2 | Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum | 21.3% | Developing 47/100 |
| 3 | Shoreline Middle Live Oak Elementary Growth Engine | 17.8% | Developing 47/100 |
| 4 | Gault Elementary Santa Cruz City Elementary Culture First | 22.3% | Developing 45/100 |
| 5 | Harbor High Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum | 19.9% | Developing 45/100 |
| 6 | Live Oak Elementary Live Oak Elementary On the Rise | 15.4% | Developing 40/100 |
| 7 | Green Acres Elementary Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum | 22.6% | Developing 39/100 |
| 8 | Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum | 16.7% | Developing 38/100 |
| 9 | Tierra Pacifica Charter Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum | 16.1% | Developing 35/100 |
| 10 | Del Mar Elementary Live Oak Elementary Building Momentum | 14.1% | Needs Support 29/100 |
| 11 | Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum | 0.0% | Needs Support 19/100 |
Schools in 95062 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.
Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology