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Average

#3779 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 40% 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

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,779 of 9,539

In Santa Cruz

#10 of 25

public schools

In district

#4 of 9

Santa Cruz City High

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Harbor High

6.9/10

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

Vhm Christian School

6.1/10

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

De Laveaga Elementary

6.8/10

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

About Harbor High

Harbor High is a public high school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High. Harbor High serves approximately 1,040 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Harbor High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,779 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Harbor High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • CA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation7.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Chronic Absenteeism28.9%

Harbor High — Students at Harbor High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 61.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
66%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
66%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
24.7%
ELA
56.5%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Harbor High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
60th percentile in CA
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
7.8% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·68 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·7 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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. Ark Independent Studies (rated 4.9/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Costanoa Continuation High (rated 4.7/10, 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 8.1
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 0.4 mi
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 7.4
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 6.7
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 7.5
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 0.9 mi 7.4
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 6.0
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 7.1
Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.6
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 6.7
Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 4.7
Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 4.9
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 5.8
Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 6.7

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
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Bear River High Grass Valley, CA 6.9
Big Bear High Big Bear Lake, CA 6.9
Don Antonio Lugo High Chino, CA 6.9
Escalon High Escalon, CA 6.9
Huntington Park Senior High Huntington Park, CA 6.9

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 ranks #3,779 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Harbor High's MySchoolScout rating?

Harbor High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Harbor High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Harbor High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.9%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

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

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