Excellent
#967 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 10% in state
Happy Valley Elementary
Elementary School · Happy Valley Elementary
3125 Branciforte Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#967 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#2 of 25
public schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Happy Valley Elementary
Elementary School in Santa Cruz · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Merit Academy
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Happy Valley Elementary
Happy Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Happy Valley Elementary. Happy Valley Elementary serves approximately 122 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Happy Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #967 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Happy Valley Elementary show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 122 students, Happy Valley Elementary 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.
Happy Valley Elementary runs 20.3:1 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.
Happy Valley Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Happy Valley Elementary — Students at Happy Valley Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 8.6/10.
How Happy Valley Elementary Compares
See how Happy Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3125 Branciforte Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Happy Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 7.4/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 1.7 mi | — |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Baymonte Christian School Scotts Valley | 2.6 mi | — |
| Scotts Valley Middle Scotts Valley | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| SILICON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Scotts Valley | 2.6 mi | — |
| BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Brook Knoll Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| California Connections Academy Monterey Bay Ripon | 2.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| PACIFIC SANDS ACADEMY Scotts Valley | 2.5 mi | — |
| Brite Horizons School Scotts Valley | 3.0 mi | — |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Vine Hill Elementary Scotts Valley | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95065 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,768
Median Home Value
$1,192,200
Median Rent
$2,618/mo
Population
8,031
College Educated
49.6%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
43.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI FOOTHILL RANCH Foothill Ranch, CA | 8.4 |
| Howell Mountain Elementary Angwin, CA | 8.4 |
| Parker (Jean) Elementary San Francisco, CA | 8.4 |
| Salinas City Virtual Academy Salinas, CA | 8.4 |
| BERKELEY ROSE WALDORF SCHOOL Berkeley, CA | 8.5 |
| BEVERLY HILLS RESOURCES CORPORATION SCHOOL DBA BEV Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Happy Valley Elementary
What grades does Happy Valley Elementary serve?
Happy Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Happy Valley Elementary?
Happy Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 122 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Happy Valley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Happy Valley Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Happy Valley Elementary rank in CA?
Happy Valley Elementary ranks #967 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Happy Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Happy Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Happy Valley Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Happy Valley Elementary has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Happy Valley Elementary a charter school?
No, Happy Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Happy Valley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Happy Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Happy Valley Elementary?
10.7% of students at Happy Valley Elementary 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
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 122
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 10.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.6%
- Phone
- (831) 429-1456
Resources & Links
District
Happy Valley Elementary- District Enrollment
- 122
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,825
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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