Average
#1479 of 1,787 private schools in CA
Orchard School
Elementary School
2288 TROUT GULCH RD, Aptos, CA 95003
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
6.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
6.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
California private schools
#1,479 of 1,787
In Aptos
#1 of 2
public schools
Shortlisting around Orchard School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Orchard School
Elementary School in Aptos · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Aptos Junior High
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Valencia Elementary
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Orchard School
Orchard School is a private elementary school in Aptos, CA. Orchard School serves approximately 45 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 6.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Orchard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,479 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
- This school 5.2 · Average
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 45 students, Orchard School 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.
At 6.9:1 students to teachers, Orchard School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Orchard School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Orchard School compares to the 6 public schools in Aptos, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Aptos
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Orchard School (this school) | 5.2 |
| Aptos Junior High | 6.4 |
| Valencia Elementary | 8.1 |
| Aptos High | 6.3 |
| Mar Vista Elementary | 4.3 |
| Delta Charter | 5.8 |
| Rio del Mar Elementary | 5.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
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
2288 TROUT GULCH RD, Aptos, CA 95003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Orchard School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valencia Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Main Street Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Soquel Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aptos, see our Aptos schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aptos Junior High Aptos | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Valencia Elementary Aptos | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Seacliff Academy Aptos | 1.6 mi | — |
| Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos | 1.7 mi | — |
| Aptos High Aptos | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Mar Vista Elementary Aptos | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Aptos | 2.8 mi | — |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 2.9 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel | 3.0 mi | — |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Corralitos | 3.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Salesian Elementary and Jr. High Corralitos | 3.6 mi | — |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 4.1 mi | 7.6 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 4.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,990
Median Home Value
$1,154,000
Median Rent
$2,548/mo
Population
24,708
College Educated
54.5%
Homeownership
72.2%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
48.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL Fresno, CA | 5.2 |
| MONTESSORI OF LADERA RANCH Ladera Ranch, CA | 5.2 |
| OLIVET ACADEMY Anza, CA | 5.2 |
| ST CHRISTOPHER-JOSEPH-AQUINAS ACADEMIC ACADEMY Diamond Bar, CA | 5.2 |
| Vista de Las Cruces Gaviota, CA | 5.2 |
| WEST COVINA HILLS ADVENTIST SCHOOL West Covina, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Orchard School
What grades does Orchard School serve?
Orchard School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Orchard School?
Orchard School has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard School?
The student-teacher ratio at Orchard School is 6.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Orchard School rank in CA?
Orchard School ranks #1,479 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
What is Orchard School's MySchoolScout rating?
Orchard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Orchard School a private school?
Yes, Orchard School 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 Orchard School a religious school?
No, Orchard School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 45
- Gender Split
- 27% M / 73% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 172 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 688-1074
Resources & Links
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.