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Average

#7083 of 9,533 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

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Cruz

#20 of 25

public schools

California high schools

#1,514 of 1,892

In district

#7 of 9

Santa Cruz City High

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Costanoa Continuation High

Costanoa Continuation High is an alternative high school located in Santa Cruz, California. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 87 students and employs four full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.8:1. As an alternative setting, Costanoa Continuation High focuses on providing flexible learning options for its diverse student body.

Academically, the school currently ranks at the 5th percentile among California's high schools and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. Students show proficiency rates of 14% in English Language Arts/Reading and 9% in Math, indicating areas where there is room for improvement and growth. Costanoa Continuation High is situated within the small city of Santa Cruz, offering a supportive educational environment tailored to students who may benefit from alternative learning approaches.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, Costanoa Continuation High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Costanoa Continuation High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Costanoa Continuation High is 21.8:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.9 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-31.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1

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 8.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
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: 7.2/10.

How Costanoa Continuation High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in CA
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harbor High (rated 6.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz County Community (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly 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 3.2
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz 0.0 mi 3.9
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz 0.1 mi 7.3
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 0.3 mi 6.0
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 7.6
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 6.6
Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.7
VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 6.1
Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 5.4
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 7.4
Santa Cruz County Court Santa Cruz 1.5 mi
Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 6.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Costanoa Continuation High has a median household income of $108,261. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,064,600, with a median rent of $2,291/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Conejo Valley High (Continuation) Thousand Oaks, CA 5.3
Foothills High San Marcos, CA 5.3
HARKHAM-GAON ACADEMY Los Angeles, CA 5.3
Harris Newmark Continuation Los Angeles, CA 5.3
Oasis High (Alternative) Fallbrook, CA 5.3
Owensmouth Continuation Canoga Park, CA 5.3

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 is ranked #7083 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Costanoa Continuation High's MySchoolScout rating?

Costanoa Continuation High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Costanoa Continuation High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Costanoa Continuation High has 8.8% math proficiency and 14.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,203/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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