Average
#5929 of 9,539 schools in CA
Alternative Family Education
School · Santa Cruz City High
840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher
27.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher
27.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,929 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#21 of 25
public schools
In district
#7 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
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Alternative Family Education
School in Santa Cruz · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ark Independent Studies
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Costanoa Continuation High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Alternative Family Education
Alternative Family Education is a public school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High. Alternative Family Education serves approximately 110 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 27.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Alternative Family Education has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,929 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Alternative Family Education show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- CA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 110 students, Alternative Family Education is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Alternative Family Education runs 27.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Alternative Family Education — Students at Alternative Family Education score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.
How Alternative Family Education Compares
See how Alternative Family Education performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alternative Family Education may also want to explore other schools in the area. THE BAY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz County Special Education (rated 4.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 0.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 0.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | — |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| SPRING HILL-ADVANCED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SANTA CR Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Court Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,261
Median Home Value
$1,064,600
Median Rent
$2,291/mo
Population
36,047
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
53.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
42.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Agnes J. Johnson Charter Weott, CA | 5.8 |
| HERITAGE OAK SCHOOL Tehachapi, CA | 5.8 |
| BRIGHTON HALL SCHOOL Burbank, CA | 5.7 |
| INTEGRITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Anaheim, CA | 5.7 |
| LIFEHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield, CA | 5.7 |
| Riverside County Juvenile Court Riverside, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alternative Family Education
What grades does Alternative Family Education serve?
Alternative Family Education serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Alternative Family Education?
Alternative Family Education has an enrollment of approximately 110 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alternative Family Education?
The student-teacher ratio at Alternative Family Education is 27.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alternative Family Education rank in CA?
Alternative Family Education ranks #5,929 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Alternative Family Education's MySchoolScout rating?
Alternative Family Education has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Alternative Family Education?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Alternative Family Education has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Alternative Family Education a charter school?
No, Alternative Family Education is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alternative Family Education a Title I school?
No, Alternative Family Education is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alternative Family Education?
33.6% of students at Alternative Family Education qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 110
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 429-3898
- 4-Year Graduation
- 50%+
Resources & Links
District
Santa Cruz City High- District Enrollment
- 4,504
- Schools in District
- 9
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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