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Average

#3799 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 40% in state

Aptos High

High School · Pajaro Valley Unified

100 Mariner Way, Aptos, CA 95003

Enrollment

1,316

Student-Teacher

21.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aptos

#2 of 6

public schools

California high schools

#731 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 33

Pajaro Valley Unified

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Aptos High

Aptos High serves 1,316 students in grades 9-12 in the scenic coastal community of Aptos, California. With 60 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1, providing a solid foundation for learning in this regular public high school setting. Academically, Aptos High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 62nd percentile among California high schools at #3608 out of 9,566 schools statewide.

The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 52% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 36% of students achieving proficiency. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $136,506 and home values average over $1.1 million. This well-educated neighborhood, with 54% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 3.5%, creates a supportive environment for student achievement.

Aptos High is situated in a rural area near town in beautiful Santa Cruz County, where students benefit from both the natural coastal setting and proximity to the vibrant Aptos community along California's central coast.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Aptos High is 21.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Aptos High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.8%
Math vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation28.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,077

Aptos High — Students at Aptos High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
39%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
35.7%
ELA
51.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Aptos High Compares

See how Aptos High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers

Location

100 Mariner Way, Aptos, CA 95003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Aptos High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MONTEREY BAY ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby La Selva Beach), with a very similar rating. Another option is Renaissance High Continuation (rated 6.4/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby La Selva Beach), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Delta Charter (rated 6.1/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aptos, see our Aptos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Aptos 1.3 mi
Aptos Junior High Aptos 1.1 mi 5.0
Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos 1.5 mi 5.0
ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos 1.8 mi 5.2
Valencia Elementary Aptos 1.8 mi 8.5
Seacliff Academy Aptos 2.4 mi
Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos 2.6 mi
SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Corralitos 3.0 mi 6.6
Salesian Elementary and Jr. High Corralitos 3.0 mi
Renaissance High Continuation La Selva Beach 3.6 mi 6.4
Bradley Elementary Watsonville 3.0 mi 5.5
Mar Vista Elementary Aptos 3.2 mi 5.2
Delta Charter Aptos 3.6 mi 6.1
TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos 3.7 mi 5.1
MONTEREY BAY ACADEMY La Selva Beach 4.9 mi 7.1
Monterey Bay Academy La Selva Beach 4.9 mi
Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel 4.2 mi
Calabasas Elementary Watsonville 4.5 mi 5.0
Tara Redwood School Soquel 4.6 mi
New Brighton Middle Capitola 4.7 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,990

Median Home Value

$1,154,000

Median Rent

$2,548/mo

Population

24,708

College Educated

54.5%

Homeownership

72.2%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

48.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Aptos High 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Archie Williams High San Anselmo, CA 6.8
Buena Park High Buena Park, CA 6.8
Calabasas High Calabasas, CA 6.8
Carson Senior High Carson, CA 6.8
Del Norte High Crescent City, CA 6.8
Edward R. Roybal Learning Center Los Angeles, CA 6.8

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 is ranked #3799 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Aptos High's MySchoolScout rating?

Aptos High has a composite rating of 6.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Aptos High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Aptos High has 36.8% math proficiency and 56.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (487/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,316
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Santa Cruz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pajaro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
17,013
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,409
District Rank
#5 of 33

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

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