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 9 public schools serving 4,492 students in Santa Cruz City High School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in California.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools in Santa Cruz City High School District have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
4,492 Students
5,826,818 Students
# Teachers
224 Teachers
268,016 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Santa Cruz City High School District, which is ranked #516 of all 1,910 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.
Overall District Rank
#488 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
29%
Graduation Rate
92%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.61
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
12%
% Hispanic
41%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
47%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Best Santa Cruz City High School District ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Santa Cruz High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
415 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3960
Gr: 9-12 | 1,104 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Gr: 6-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #44.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 6-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Soquel High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
401 Old San Jose Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 429-3909
Gr: 9-12 | 1,048 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #66.
Harbor High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3810
Gr: 9-12 | 1,040 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #77.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Gr: 6-8 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #88.
Costanoa Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #99.
Delta Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6500 Soquel Dr. Bldg. 1190
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 477-5212
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 477-5212
Gr: 9-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Santa Cruz City High School District?
Santa Cruz City High School District manages 9 public schools serving 4,492 students.
What is the rank of Santa Cruz City High School District?
Santa Cruz City High School District is ranked #516 out of 1,910 school districts in California (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz City High School District?
47% of Santa Cruz City High School District students are White, 41% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Santa Cruz City High School District?
Santa Cruz City High School District has a student/teacher ratio of 20:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.