Best Schools in Aptos, California
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in Aptos?
Use this page to compare every school in Aptos by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Valencia Elementary
Elementary · Pajaro Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Aptos Junior High
Middle · Pajaro Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Aptos High
High · Pajaro Valley Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Aptos for 2026 are Valencia Elementary (8.1/10), Aptos Junior High (6.4/10), and Aptos High (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$1,154,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$1,154,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Aptos schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Aptos
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valencia Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Aptos Junior High | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Aptos High | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Rio Del Mar Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Delta Charter | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Orchard School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Twin Lakes Christian School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Mar Vista Elementary | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $140,990
- Median home value
- $1,154,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 55%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Aptos compares
California rank
#399 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$141k
141% of California median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Aptos, California
Aptos, California is home to 11 schools, including 6 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Aptos show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Aptos is Valencia Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Aptos is served by 2 school districts: Pajaro Valley Unified, Santa Cruz City High. These districts collectively serve 21,517 students.
Aptos's community shows 55% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $140,990. The poverty rate in the area is 3.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 487 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 408 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | 311 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.3 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Orchard School
Private
45 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 2 | Twin Lakes Christian School
Private
398 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.1 | ||
| 3 | Chrysostom Classical Academy
Private
45 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 588 students · 7th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,316 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 116 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 67 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Seacliff Academy
Private
15 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Schools in Aptos
Aptos, California · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$140,990
Median Home Value
$1,154,000
Median Rent
$2,548/mo
Population
24,708
College Educated
55%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Community Profile
Aptos has a median household income of $140,990. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,154,000, with a median rent of $2,548/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Aptos, California
How many schools are in Aptos, California?
Aptos has 11 schools, including 6 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Aptos, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Aptos is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Aptos, California?
The top-ranked school in Aptos on MySchoolScout is Valencia Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Aptos, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Aptos on MySchoolScout is Valencia Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Aptos, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Aptos on MySchoolScout is Aptos Junior High with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Aptos, California?
The top-ranked high school in Aptos on MySchoolScout is Aptos High with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Aptos, California?
Aptos is served by 2 school districts: Pajaro Valley Unified, Santa Cruz City High.
What is the education level in Aptos, California?
According to Census data, 55% of adults in Aptos have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Aptos, California?
The median household income in Aptos is approximately $140,990 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Aptos, California?
Yes, Aptos has 5 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Orchard School with a score of 5.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Aptos, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Aptos is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Aptos, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.