5.4 avg / 10

Best Schools in Capitola, California

2 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 5.4/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.4/10
Median household income: $96,701
Median home value: $781,900
Bachelor's degree or higher: 47%
Avg commute: 25 min
Owner-occupied homes: 47%

How Capitola compares

Median household income

$97k

97% of California median

About Schools in Capitola, California

Capitola, California is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school.

With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Capitola show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Capitola is New Brighton Middle with a composite score of 5.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Capitola is served by 1 school district: Soquel Union Elementary. These districts collectively serve 1,566 students.

Capitola's community shows 47% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $96,701. The poverty rate in the area is 13.1%.

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 (2) Elementary (1) Middle (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (2) Public (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (2) Academics (2) Growth (1) Diversity (1) Resources (1)

Filter by ZIP: 95010 (2)

Elementary Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Opal Cliffs 6 students · Kindergarten–8th	6	Kindergarten–8th	—

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	New Brighton Middle 611 students · 6th–8th	611	6th–8th	5.4

Schools in Capitola

Capitola, California · 2 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$96,701

Median Home Value

$781,900

Median Rent

$2,370/mo

Population

8,697

College Educated

47%

Homeownership

47%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Community Profile

Capitola has a median household income of $96,701. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $781,900, with a median rent of $2,370/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: California
Total Schools: 2
Elementary: 1
Middle: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.4/10

Resources

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

School District

Soquel Union Elementary

5 schools · 1,566 students

Nearby Cities

Santa Cruz (41 schools)

4 mi

Ripon (1 school)

6 mi

Scotts Valley (7 schools)

7 mi

La Selva Beach (3 schools)

8 mi

Corralitos (2 schools)

8 mi

Felton (3 schools)

9 mi

Ben Lomond (2 schools)

10 mi

Freedom (2 schools)

10 mi

Watsonville (35 schools)

11 mi

Boulder Creek (1 school)

14 mi

Davenport (1 school)

14 mi

Los Gatos (20 schools)

17 mi

Placerville (1 school)

17 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 Capitola, California

How many schools are in Capitola, California?

Capitola has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Capitola, California?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Capitola is 5.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Capitola, California?

The top-ranked school in Capitola on MySchoolScout is New Brighton Middle with a composite score of 5.4/10.

What is the best middle school in Capitola, California?

The top-ranked middle school in Capitola on MySchoolScout is New Brighton Middle with a composite score of 5.4/10.

How many school districts serve Capitola, California?

Capitola is served by 1 school district: Soquel Union Elementary.

What is the education level in Capitola, California?

According to Census data, 47% of adults in Capitola have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Capitola, California?

The median household income in Capitola is approximately $96,701 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Capitola, California?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Capitola is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Capitola, 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.