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Below Average

#7766 of 9,539 schools in CA

Costanoa Continuation High

High School · Santa Cruz City High

840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,766 of 9,539

In Santa Cruz

#25 of 25

public schools

In district

#9 of 9

Santa Cruz City High

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Costanoa Continuation High

4.7/10

High School in Santa Cruz · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ark Independent Studies

4.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alternative Family Education

5.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Costanoa Continuation High

Costanoa Continuation High is a public high school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High. Costanoa Continuation High serves approximately 87 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Costanoa Continuation High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,766 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Costanoa Continuation High show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 87 students, Costanoa Continuation High 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.

Costanoa Continuation High runs 21.8:1 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.

86% of students at Costanoa Continuation High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.9 pts
Overall Proficiency7% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-31.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness9.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Chronic Absenteeism86.2%

Costanoa Continuation High — Students at Costanoa Continuation High score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 19.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 24 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
ELA
13%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How Costanoa Continuation High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
86.2%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Costanoa Continuation High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Santa Cruz High (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harbor High (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz County Community (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz 0.0 mi 5.8
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
Harbor High Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 6.9
Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.9
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
Phoenix High San Jose, CA 4.7
EAST VALLEY EDUCATION CENTER Oakdale, CA 4.8
Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest, CA 4.8
Shasta County Independent Study Redding, CA 4.8
William Tell Aggeler Opportunity High Chatsworth, CA 4.8
North Valley High Anderson, CA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Costanoa Continuation High

What grades does Costanoa Continuation High serve?

Costanoa Continuation High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Costanoa Continuation High?

Costanoa Continuation High has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Costanoa Continuation High?

The student-teacher ratio at Costanoa Continuation High is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Costanoa Continuation High rank in CA?

Costanoa Continuation High ranks #7,766 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Costanoa Continuation High's MySchoolScout rating?

Costanoa Continuation High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Costanoa Continuation High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Costanoa Continuation High has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Costanoa Continuation High a charter school?

No, Costanoa Continuation High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Costanoa Continuation High a Title I school?

No, Costanoa Continuation High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Costanoa Continuation High?

64.4% of students at Costanoa Continuation 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
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
99 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
86.2%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Santa Cruz City High
District Enrollment
4,504
Schools in District
9
District Rank
#9 of 9

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