Schools in Santa Cruz County
67 ranked schools
Overall Score Percentile
<20
20+
40+
60+
80+
1
10/10Ocean Grove Charter
San Lorenzo Valley Unified · Boulder Creek
#1 Overall in Santa Cruz County
10/10 · #18 K-12 School in California
State Percentile
Eng
94%
Math
94%
Sci
97%
2
10/10SLVUSD Charter
San Lorenzo Valley Unified · Ben Lomond
#2 Overall in Santa Cruz County
10/10 · #28 K-12 School in California
State Percentile
Eng
91%
Math
87%
Sci
94%
3
10/10Pacific Collegiate Charter
Santa Cruz County Office of Education · Santa Cruz
#3 Overall in Santa Cruz County
10/10 · #55 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
92%
Math
96%
Sci
99%
4
6/10California Connections Academy Monterey Bay
Scotts Valley Unified · Scotts Valley
#4 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #146 K-12 School in California
State Percentile
Eng
47%
Math
59%
Sci
63%
5
6/10Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#5 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #155 K-12 School in California
State Percentile
Eng
39%
Math
75%
Sci
32%
6
9/10Santa Cruz High
Santa Cruz City High · Santa Cruz
#6 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #176 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
82%
Math
87%
Sci
88%
7
9/10Scotts Valley High
Scotts Valley Unified · Scotts Valley
#7 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #200 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
76%
Math
87%
Sci
88%
8
9/10Scotts Valley Middle
Scotts Valley Unified · Scotts Valley
#8 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #205 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
82%
Math
84%
Sci
90%
9
9/10San Lorenzo Valley High
San Lorenzo Valley Unified · Felton
#9 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #227 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
83%
Math
75%
Sci
92%
10
4/10Pacific Coast Charter
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#10 Overall in Santa Cruz County
4/10 · #230 K-12 School in California
State Percentile
Eng
45%
Math
29%
Sci
29%
11
8/10Soquel High
Santa Cruz City High · Soquel
#11 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #324 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
78%
Math
70%
Sci
70%
12
8/10Mission Hill Middle
Santa Cruz City High · Santa Cruz
#12 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #338 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
71%
Math
74%
Sci
80%
13
8/10Branciforte Middle
Santa Cruz City High · Santa Cruz
#13 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #380 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
70%
Math
70%
Sci
74%
14
8/10New Brighton Middle
Soquel Union Elementary · Capitola
#14 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #390 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
71%
Math
67%
Sci
74%
15
10/10Happy Valley Elementary
Happy Valley Elementary · Santa Cruz
#15 Overall in Santa Cruz County
10/10 · #429 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
93%
Math
91%
Sci
94%
16
7/10Shoreline Middle
Live Oak Elementary · Santa Cruz
#16 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #455 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
60%
Math
60%
Sci
81%
17
7/10Harbor High
Santa Cruz City High · Santa Cruz
#17 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #489 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
60%
Math
53%
Sci
67%
18
7/10San Lorenzo Valley Middle
San Lorenzo Valley Unified · Felton
#18 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #492 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
55%
Math
65%
Sci
70%
19
7/10Aptos Junior High
Pajaro Valley Unified · Aptos
#19 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #499 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
55%
Math
66%
Sci
63%
20
6/10Aptos High
Pajaro Valley Unified · Aptos
#20 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #552 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
36%
Math
65%
Sci
69%
21
9/10Westlake Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary · Santa Cruz
#21 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #757 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
87%
Math
82%
Sci
94%
22
9/10Vine Hill Elementary
Scotts Valley Unified · Scotts Valley
#22 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #814 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
85%
Math
85%
Sci
88%
23
9/10Brook Knoll Elementary
Scotts Valley Unified · Santa Cruz
#23 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #904 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
88%
Math
84%
Sci
76%
24
2/10Watsonville High
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#24 Overall in Santa Cruz County
2/10 · #988 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
17%
Math
33%
Sci
13%
25
2/10Pajaro Valley High
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#25 Overall in Santa Cruz County
2/10 · #1089 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
12%
Math
13%
Sci
19%
26
9/10Mountain Elementary
Mountain Elementary · Soquel
#26 Overall in Santa Cruz County
9/10 · #1095 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
78%
Math
82%
Sci
83%
27
1/10Delta Charter
Santa Cruz City High · Aptos
#27 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #1154 High School in California
State Percentile
Eng
7%
Math
3%
Sci
22%
28
1/10Pajaro Middle
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#28 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #1240 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
8%
Math
5%
Sci
8%
29
1/10Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#29 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #1277 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
2%
Math
6%
Sci
3%
30
1/10Lakeview Middle
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#30 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #1278 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
3%
Math
5%
Sci
3%
31
1/10Rolling Hills Middle
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#31 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #1282 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
3%
Math
4%
Sci
2%
32
1/10E. A. Hall Middle
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#32 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #1306 Middle School in California
State Percentile
Eng
1%
Math
1%
Sci
2%
33
8/10Valencia Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Aptos
#33 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1321 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
79%
Math
74%
Sci
76%
34
8/10Boulder Creek Elementary
San Lorenzo Valley Unified · Boulder Creek
#34 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1345 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
69%
Math
75%
Sci
90%
35
8/10Pacific Elementary
Pacific Elementary · Davenport
#35 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1391 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
65%
Math
78%
Sci
91%
36
8/10Rio del Mar Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Aptos
#36 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1402 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
73%
Math
74%
Sci
80%
37
8/10Bonny Doon Elementary
Bonny Doon Union Elementary · Santa Cruz
#37 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1426 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
72%
Math
73%
Sci
83%
38
8/10Main Street Elementary
Soquel Union Elementary · Soquel
#38 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1497 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
74%
Math
69%
Sci
80%
39
8/10San Lorenzo Valley Elementary
San Lorenzo Valley Unified · Felton
#39 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1663 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
66%
Math
70%
Sci
80%
40
8/10De Laveaga Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary · Santa Cruz
#40 Overall in Santa Cruz County
8/10 · #1664 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
71%
Math
68%
Sci
75%
41
7/10Tierra Pacifica Charter
Live Oak Elementary · Santa Cruz
#41 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #1725 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
66%
Math
70%
Sci
74%
42
7/10Bay View Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary · Santa Cruz
#42 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #2007 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
64%
Math
63%
Sci
68%
43
7/10Green Acres Elementary
Live Oak Elementary · Santa Cruz
#43 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #2052 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
68%
Math
67%
Sci
47%
44
7/10Soquel Elementary
Soquel Union Elementary · Soquel
#44 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #2157 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
59%
Math
61%
Sci
68%
45
7/10Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Soquel Union Elementary · Santa Cruz
#45 Overall in Santa Cruz County
7/10 · #2231 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
60%
Math
54%
Sci
72%
46
6/10Linscott Charter
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#46 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #2494 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
70%
Math
51%
Sci
38%
47
6/10Gault Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary · Santa Cruz
#47 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #2499 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
57%
Math
53%
Sci
58%
48
6/10Live Oak Elementary
Live Oak Elementary · Santa Cruz
#48 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #2765 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
47%
Math
52%
Sci
58%
49
6/10Del Mar Elementary
Live Oak Elementary · Santa Cruz
#49 Overall in Santa Cruz County
6/10 · #2842 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
48%
Math
51%
Sci
50%
50
5/10Watsonville Prep
SBE - Watsonville Prep · Watsonville
#50 Overall in Santa Cruz County
5/10 · #3150 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
45%
Math
44%
Sci
42%
51
5/10Mar Vista Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Aptos
#51 Overall in Santa Cruz County
5/10 · #3301 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
44%
Math
37%
Sci
48%
52
4/10Bradley Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#52 Overall in Santa Cruz County
4/10 · #3583 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
38%
Math
36%
Sci
38%
53
4/10Alianza Charter
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#53 Overall in Santa Cruz County
4/10 · #3664 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
42%
Math
26%
Sci
44%
54
4/10Ocean Alternative Education Center
Live Oak Elementary · Santa Cruz
#54 Overall in Santa Cruz County
4/10 · #3893 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
27%
Math
10%
Sci
85%
55
3/10Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#55 Overall in Santa Cruz County
3/10 · #4433 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
25%
Math
20%
Sci
27%
56
2/10Starlight Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#56 Overall in Santa Cruz County
2/10 · #4802 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
12%
Math
28%
Sci
6%
57
1/10Calabasas Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#57 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5268 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
11%
Math
11%
Sci
4%
58
1/10H. A. Hyde Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#58 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5299 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
5%
Math
13%
Sci
9%
59
1/10Ohlone Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#59 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5309 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
6%
Math
8%
Sci
19%
60
1/10Ann Soldo Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#60 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5335 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
4%
Math
7%
Sci
21%
61
1/10Freedom Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Freedom
#61 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5385 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
3%
Math
14%
Sci
4%
62
1/10Landmark Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#62 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5561 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
1%
Math
2%
Sci
12%
63
1/10Mintie White Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#63 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5562 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
2%
Math
8%
Sci
2%
64
1/10Hall District Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#64 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5641 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
1%
Math
2%
Sci
4%
65
1/10Radcliff Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#65 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5656 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
1%
Math
4%
Sci
1%
66
1/10Amesti Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#66 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5671 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
1%
Math
3%
Sci
1%
67
1/10T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified · Watsonville
#67 Overall in Santa Cruz County
1/10 · #5700 Elementary School in California
State Percentile
Eng
1%
Math
1%
Sci
1%
About schools in Santa Cruz County
Seventeen of Santa Cruz County's 67 ranked public schools place in the top quartile statewide — a notably strong showing for a mid-sized coastal county spanning redwood mountains and agricultural lowlands. Pacific Collegiate Charter in Santa Cruz leads the pack at the 96th percentile statewide, with Ocean Grove Charter in Boulder Creek close behind at the 95th. Thirteen districts serve communities as distinct as surf-city Santa Cruz and farmworker-centered Watsonville, and the county's 12 charter schools give families meaningful alternatives to traditional district programs. For parents prioritizing academic outcomes, the breadth of high performers here makes Santa Cruz County well worth a close look.