5.9 avg / 10

Best Schools in Aptos, California

11 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 6

Private: 5

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Estimated Scores: 25%

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%

How Aptos compares

California rank

#407 of 596

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 measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Aptos is Valencia Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (11) Elementary (6) Middle (1) High (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (11) Public (6) Private (5)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (11) Academics (11) Growth (6) Diversity (6) Resources (6)

Filter by ZIP: 95003 (11)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Valencia Elementary 487 students · Kindergarten–6th	487	Kindergarten–6th	8.5
2	Mar Vista Elementary 311 students · Kindergarten–6th	311	Kindergarten–6th	5.2
3	Rio del Mar Elementary 408 students · Kindergarten–6th	408	Kindergarten–6th	5.0
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	45	Kindergarten–6th	Not Rated
2	TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 398 students · Kindergarten–8th	398	Kindergarten–8th	Not Rated
3	Chrysostom Classical Academy Private 45 students · Kindergarten–8th	45	Kindergarten–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Aptos Junior High 588 students · 7th–8th	588	7th–8th	5.0

High Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Aptos High 1,316 students · 9th–12th	1,316	9th–12th	6.8
2	Delta Charter 116 students · 9th–12th	116	9th–12th	6.1
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	St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Private 67 students · Kindergarten–12th	67	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated
2	Seacliff Academy Private 15 students · Kindergarten–12th	15	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated

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.

Quick Facts

State: California
Total Schools: 11
Elementary: 6
Middle: 1
High: 4
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Aptos schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Aptos 📊 Niche Aptos Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Pajaro Valley Unified

34 schools · 17,013 students

Santa Cruz City High

9 schools · 4,504 students

Nearby Cities

Corralitos (2 schools)

5 mi

La Selva Beach (3 schools)

5 mi

Santa Cruz (41 schools)

7 mi

Freedom (2 schools)

7 mi

Scotts Valley (7 schools)

8 mi

Watsonville (35 schools)

Ben Lomond (2 schools)

13 mi

Los Gatos (20 schools)

17 mi

Castroville (4 schools)

16 mi

Aromas (1 school)

15 mi

Boulder Creek (1 school)

16 mi

Other Major Cities in California

Top metros statewide by school count.

Los Angeles 928 schools San Diego 412 schools San Jose 335 schools San Francisco 297 schools Sacramento 273 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 8.5/10.

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 8.5/10.

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 5.0/10.

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 6.8/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.