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
Enrollment
1,316
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Aptos High — Students at Aptos High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 4.3/10.
How Aptos High Compares
See how Aptos High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 35.71% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 51.79% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (831) 728-7832
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #5 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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.
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