Average
#4260 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 45% in state
Harbor High
High School · Santa Cruz City High
300 La Fonda Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
1,040
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,040
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#14 of 25
public schools
California high schools
#847 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Harbor High
Harbor High serves 1,040 students in grades 9-12 in Santa Cruz, California, operating as a regular public school with 54 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 60th percentile among California high schools, placing it at #3794 out of 9566 schools statewide. Academically, Harbor High shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 25% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results reflect a school with room for academic development, particularly in mathematical skills. Located at 300 La Fonda Ave, Harbor High sits in the heart of Santa Cruz County's vibrant small city environment.
The surrounding 95062 zip code demonstrates strong community characteristics, with a median household income of $101,291 and nearly half of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area's median home value of $968,300 reflects the desirability of this coastal California location. Harbor High operates within a well-educated community of 36,369 residents, where families value educational achievement and community engagement in the picturesque Santa Cruz setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Harbor High — Students at Harbor High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.8/10.
How Harbor High Compares
See how Harbor High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 24.66% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 56.54% (2024).
Location
300 La Fonda Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harbor High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Costanoa Continuation High (rated 5.3/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ark Independent Studies (rated 3.2/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | — |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 3.9 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 0.8 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harbor 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Senior High Los Angeles, CA | 6.6 |
| Big Bear High Big Bear Lake, CA | 6.6 |
| Clairemont High San Diego, CA | 6.6 |
| Compton High Compton, CA | 6.6 |
| Granite Hills High Porterville, CA | 6.6 |
| John H. Glenn High Norwalk, CA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harbor High
What grades does Harbor High serve?
Harbor High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Harbor High?
Harbor High has an enrollment of approximately 1,040 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harbor High?
The student-teacher ratio at Harbor High is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harbor High rank in CA?
Harbor High is ranked #4260 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Harbor High's MySchoolScout rating?
Harbor High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Harbor High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harbor High has 30.8% math proficiency and 60.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harbor High a charter school?
No, Harbor High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harbor High a Title I school?
No, Harbor High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harbor High?
41.2% of students at Harbor 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
- Walk Score
- 64 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 41 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 79 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,040
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 429-3810
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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