Best Schools in Soquel, California
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Soquel?
Use this page to compare every school in Soquel 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.
Mountain Elementary
Elementary · Mountain Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Soquel High
High · Santa Cruz City High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Soquel Elementary
Elementary · Soquel Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Soquel for 2026 are Mountain Elementary (8.5/10), Soquel High (6.7/10), and Soquel Elementary (4.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$1,012,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$1,012,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Soquel schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Soquel
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 6 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Soquel High | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Soquel Elementary | 4.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Main Street Elementary | 3.9 / 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
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $113,929
- Median home value
- $1,012,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Soquel compares
California rank
#482 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$114k
114% of California median
Schools in this city
5
Soquel's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Soquel. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Soquel Union Elementary (2), Mountain Elementary (1), Santa Cruz City High (1).
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 8.5 — the spread is inside Soquel, not a citywide average.
- Soquel Union Elementary2 public · 50%
- Mountain Elementary1 public · 25%
- Santa Cruz City High1 public · 25%
About Schools in Soquel, California
Soquel, California is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Soquel show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Soquel is Mountain Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Soquel is served by 3 school districts: Mountain Elementary, Santa Cruz City High, Soquel Union Elementary. These districts collectively serve 6,233 students.
Soquel's community shows 45% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $113,929. The poverty rate in the area is 10.4%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 163 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 355 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 389 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Tara Redwood SchoolPrivate 70 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 students · 7th–8th | Not Rated |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,048 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Schools in Soquel
Soquel, California · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$113,929
Median Home Value
$1,012,000
Median Rent
$2,093/mo
Population
11,487
College Educated
45%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Community Profile
Soquel has a median household income of $113,929. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,012,000, with a median rent of $2,093/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
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 Soquel, California
How many schools are in Soquel, California?
Soquel has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Soquel, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Soquel is 5.8 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 Soquel, California?
The top-ranked school in Soquel on MySchoolScout is Mountain Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Soquel, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Soquel on MySchoolScout is Mountain Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best high school in Soquel, California?
The top-ranked high school in Soquel on MySchoolScout is Soquel High with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Soquel, California?
Soquel is served by 3 school districts: Mountain Elementary, Santa Cruz City High, Soquel Union Elementary.
What is the education level in Soquel, California?
According to Census data, 45% of adults in Soquel have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Soquel, California?
The median household income in Soquel is approximately $113,929 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Soquel, California?
Yes, Soquel has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Tara Redwood School with a score of 5.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Soquel, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Soquel is 19.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Soquel, 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 School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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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.