Limited Profile
Not enough data to generate a rating
Merit Academy
High School
2392 N RODEO GULCH RD, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
Enrollment
24
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
24
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
About Merit Academy
Merit Academy is a private high school in Santa Cruz, CA 95063. The school serves approximately 24 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1. The school is situated in a midsize suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 24 students, Merit Academy 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.
As a private school, Merit Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Merit Academy compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Cruz, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Merit Academy (this school) | — |
| Harbor High | 6.6 |
| Costanoa Continuation High | 5.3 |
| Ark Independent Studies | 3.2 |
| Alternative Family Education | 3.9 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Community | 6.2 |
| Santa Cruz County Court | — |
| Santa Cruz High | 7.7 |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter | 9.0 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
School Profile
Limited Data- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 24 students
- Type
- Private
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Address
- 2392 N RODEO GULCH RD, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
- Phone
- (831) 462-5655
- Data Year
- SY 2021-22
Why doesn't this school have a score?
We don't have enough verified data to rate this school fairly. Private schools in CA aren't required to report standardized test scores to the state, which limits the data available for our rating model.
Our rating model requires at least 2 of 4 data components (academics, student progress, college readiness, and resources) to generate a meaningful score. Schools below this threshold receive a Limited Profile to avoid misleading ratings.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
2392 N RODEO GULCH RD, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merit Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Soquel High (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Soquel). Another option is Harbor High (rated 6.6/10, 2.9 miles away). Additionally, Delta Charter (rated 6.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Aptos). For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 1.5 mi | — |
| Soquel High Soquel | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel | 2.7 mi | — |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 3.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 3.4 mi | — |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A Space for Angie Vallejo Ca, CA | — |
| ABC Secondary (Alternative) Cerritos, CA | — |
| ALLAIS SCHOOL Arcadia, CA | — |
| Academy for Advancement of Children With Autism Chatsworth, CA | — |
| Academy for Advancement of Children With Autism VC Oxnard, CA | — |
| Academy for Change Chico, CA | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merit Academy
What grades does Merit Academy serve?
Merit Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Merit Academy?
Merit Academy has an enrollment of approximately 24 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merit Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Merit Academy is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
Is Merit Academy a private school?
Yes, Merit Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Merit Academy a religious school?
No, Merit Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 24
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 3 hours
- Days Per Year
- 120 days
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- SANTA CRUZ
- Phone
- (831) 462-5655
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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