ÎÛÎÛÂþ»­

Santa Cruz City High School District

133 Mission Street Ste. 100
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3747
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Santa Cruz City High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 1,097 students in Santa Cruz City High School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in California.
ÎÛÎÛÂþ»­ Elementary Schools in Santa Cruz City High School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
7,693 Schools
# Students
4,492 Students
3,821,898 Students
# Teachers
224 Teachers
173,967 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Santa Cruz City High School District, which is ranked #514 of all 1,908 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 90% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#488 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 30%)
36%
34%
58%
47%
33%
29%
92%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.61
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
12%
% Hispanic
41%
55%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
47%
21%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

Best Santa Cruz City High School District ÎÛÎÛÂþ»­ Elementary Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Gr: 6-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 6-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Gr: 6-8 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%

Recent Articles

Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in ÎÛÎÛÂþ»­ Schools
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in ÎÛÎÛÂþ»­ Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here’s what parents and educators need to know.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 9 schools
  • Grades: K-12
  • Enrollment: 4,492 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 53%
  • : 92% (Top 20% in CA)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 36% (Top 50%)
  • : 58% (Top 30%)
  • : 33% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links