Very Good
#2817 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
Branciforte Middle
Middle School · Santa Cruz City High
315 Poplar St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,817 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#8 of 25
public schools
In district
#3 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Branciforte Middle
Middle School in Santa Cruz · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Costanoa Continuation High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Branciforte Middle
Branciforte Middle is a public middle school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High. Branciforte Middle serves approximately 435 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Branciforte Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,817 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Branciforte Middle show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 7.1
- CA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Branciforte Middle — Students at Branciforte Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How Branciforte Middle Compares
See how Branciforte Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
315 Poplar St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Branciforte Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Santa Cruz High (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, THE BAY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | — |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | — |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Bert M. Lynn Middle Torrance, CA | 7.4 |
| Burton Middle Porterville, CA | 7.4 |
| Century Community Charter Inglewood, CA | 7.4 |
| Dr. Julian Nava Learning Academy Los Angeles, CA | 7.4 |
| General Grant Middle Reedley, CA | 7.4 |
| Innovation Middle San Diego, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Branciforte Middle
What grades does Branciforte Middle serve?
Branciforte Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Branciforte Middle?
Branciforte Middle has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Branciforte Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Branciforte Middle is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Branciforte Middle rank in CA?
Branciforte Middle ranks #2,817 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Branciforte Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Branciforte Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Branciforte Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Branciforte Middle has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Branciforte Middle a charter school?
No, Branciforte Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Branciforte Middle a Title I school?
No, Branciforte Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Branciforte Middle?
42.8% of students at Branciforte Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 435
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.2%
- Phone
- (831) 429-3883
Resources & Links
District
Santa Cruz City High- District Enrollment
- 4,504
- Schools in District
- 9
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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