Average
#4929 of 9,539 schools in CA
Aptos High
High School · Pajaro Valley Unified · Aptos, CA
A Pajaro Valley Unified high school where students score 5 points below what's typical for similar communities.
100 Mariner Way, Aptos, CA 95003
- Math 36% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 52% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Aptos High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 8 points since 2017, to 44% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 12 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 50% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 69% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
46.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Aptos High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 5Car-Dependent
- Bike 39Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average487/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$140,990
Median home value
$1,154,000
Median rent
$2,548/mo
College educated
54.5%
Homeownership
72.2%
Poverty rate
3.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 95003; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Abraham's Classical Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 1.3 mi | 67 | Compare → |
| Seacliff AcademyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 2.4 mi | 15 | Compare → |
| Delta CharterCharter · enrollment unverified | 5.8 | 9–12 | 3.6 mi | 116 | Compare → |
| Renaissance High ContinuationEnrollment path unverified | 5.9 | 9–12 | 3.6 mi | 122 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Pajaro Valley Unified
- Schools in district
- 34
- Rank in district
- #7 of 33
- District spending per student
- $20,409NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Aptos High is listed in Pajaro Valley Unified; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Aptos High
Aptos High is a public high school in Aptos, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified, serving approximately 1,316 students in grades 9th-12th with a 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,929 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Aptos High
What grades does Aptos High serve?
Aptos High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Aptos High?
Aptos High has an enrollment of approximately 1,316 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Aptos High?
The student-teacher ratio at Aptos High is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Aptos High rank in CA?
Aptos High ranks #4,929 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Aptos High's MySchoolScout rating?
Aptos High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Aptos High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Aptos High has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Aptos High a charter school?
No, Aptos High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Aptos High a Title I school?
No, Aptos High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Aptos High?
46.2% of students at Aptos High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,316
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.9%
- Phone
- (831) 728-7832
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 95003)
- 24,708
- Area average commute
- 27.9 min
- Area median age
- 48.1
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 95003; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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.