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Very Good

#2525 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 27% in state

San Lorenzo Valley High

High School · San Lorenzo Valley Unified

7105 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018

Enrollment

622

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Felton

#1 of 3

public schools

California high schools

#446 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 5

San Lorenzo Valley Unified

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About San Lorenzo Valley High

San Lorenzo Valley High serves 622 students in grades 9-12 in Felton, California, earning a strong 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #1667 out of 9566 California high schools. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4 to 1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, San Lorenzo Valley High demonstrates solid performance with an 8.3 out of 10 academic score.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 75% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for growth, with 42% of students meeting proficiency standards, presenting opportunities for continued academic development in STEM subjects. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community in the 95018 ZIP code, where 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $109,778.

With a low poverty rate of 6.6% and median home values around $778,500, families in this area of approximately 6,055 residents tend to be well-positioned to support their students' educational journey. San Lorenzo Valley High sits in a rural setting near town along Highway 9, offering students a close-knit mountain community atmosphere while maintaining access to the broader Santa Cruz County region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at San Lorenzo Valley High is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, San Lorenzo Valley High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.7%
Math vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation53.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,242

San Lorenzo Valley High — Students at San Lorenzo Valley High score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 74.6%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
42.1%
ELA
74.7%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How San Lorenzo Valley High Compares

See how San Lorenzo Valley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

7105 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Lorenzo Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bonny Doon Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. Another option is Scotts Valley High (rated 8.3/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Scotts Valley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vine Hill Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Scotts Valley), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Felton, see our Felton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
San Lorenzo Valley Elementary Felton 0.1 mi 4.0
San Lorenzo Valley Middle Felton 0.1 mi 5.0
Pacific Sands Academy Ben Lomond 1.3 mi
SLVUSD Charter Ben Lomond 1.6 mi 5.7
PACIFIC SANDS ACADEMY Scotts Valley 3.1 mi
SANTA CRUZ WALDORF SCHOOL Santa Cruz 3.8 mi 5.9
Santa Cruz Waldorf School Santa Cruz 3.8 mi
California Connections Academy Monterey Bay Ripon 3.2 mi 3.2
Scotts Valley Middle Scotts Valley 3.4 mi 5.5
Brook Knoll Elementary Santa Cruz 4.2 mi 7.1
Bonny Doon Elementary Santa Cruz 3.7 mi 8.6
SILICON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Scotts Valley 4.0 mi
Boulder Creek Elementary Boulder Creek 4.8 mi 6.3
Scotts Valley High Scotts Valley 4.2 mi 8.3
BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley 4.3 mi 6.3
Baymonte Christian School Scotts Valley 4.4 mi
Vine Hill Elementary Scotts Valley 4.5 mi 7.4
Brite Horizons School Scotts Valley 4.6 mi
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School Santa Cruz 5.6 mi
Santa Cruz County Special Education Santa Cruz 5.6 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,130

Median Home Value

$778,100

Median Rent

$2,259/mo

Population

6,377

College Educated

56.5%

Homeownership

82.3%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding San Lorenzo Valley High has a median household income of $119,130. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $778,100, with a median rent of $2,259/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Belmont Senior High Los Angeles, CA 7.4
Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy Vacaville, CA 7.4
Credo High Rohnert Park, CA 7.4
Latino College Preparatory Academy San Jose, CA 7.4
SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL Richmond, CA 7.4
SAN FRANCISCO UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL San Francisco, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Lorenzo Valley High

What grades does San Lorenzo Valley High serve?

San Lorenzo Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend San Lorenzo Valley High?

San Lorenzo Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Lorenzo Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at San Lorenzo Valley High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does San Lorenzo Valley High rank in CA?

San Lorenzo Valley High is ranked #2525 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is San Lorenzo Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

San Lorenzo Valley High has a composite rating of 7.4 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 San Lorenzo Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Lorenzo Valley High has 43.3% math proficiency and 74.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is San Lorenzo Valley High a charter school?

No, San Lorenzo Valley High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is San Lorenzo Valley High a Title I school?

No, San Lorenzo Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for San Lorenzo Valley High?

20.6% of students at San Lorenzo Valley 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (487/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Santa Cruz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Lorenzo Valley Unified
District Enrollment
2,328
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,243
District Rank
#1 of 5

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.

Read our full methodology

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