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Below Average

#1687 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Santa Cruz Childrens School

Elementary School

366 GAULT ST, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Santa Cruz. Learn more

Enrollment

48

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Santa Cruz

#8 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,033 of 1,102

About Santa Cruz Childrens School

Santa Cruz Childrens School serves 48 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Cruz, California. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, this intimate elementary school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #818 out of 1790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 54th percentile among California schools.

This performance reflects well on the school's educational approach in serving its small but engaged student community. Located at 366 Gault Street, Santa Cruz Childrens School draws families from a well-educated neighborhood where 49% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code 95062 has a median household income of $101,291 and median home values of $968,300, indicating a community that values educational investment.

While 13.7% of area residents experience poverty, the diverse economic landscape contributes to the school's character. The small size of Santa Cruz Childrens School creates a tight-knit learning environment where students receive individualized support throughout their elementary years. The school operates within the vibrant small city of Santa Cruz, known for its coastal charm and community-focused atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 48 students, Santa Cruz Childrens School 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, Santa Cruz Childrens School 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

Beta

How Santa Cruz Childrens School compares to 20 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Cruz, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
This School
vs
21.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
48
This School
vs
276
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.5
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 72.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.2% vs 0%
Asian 6.2% vs 0%
Santa Cruz Childrens School Santa Cruz Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Santa Cruz Childrens School (this school) 4.5
Gault Elementary 7.6
Branciforte Middle 6.0
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch 7.3
Ark Independent Studies 3.2
Alternative Family Education 3.9
De Laveaga Elementary 6.8
Green Acres Elementary 7.1
Tierra Pacifica Charter 3.9
Ocean Alternative Education Center 8.8
Live Oak Elementary 4.3
Shoreline Middle 6.7
Del Mar Elementary 5.8
Mission Hill Middle 5.4
Santa Cruz County Special Education 7.4
Bay View Elementary 7.3
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary 3.5
Westlake Elementary 6.5
Brook Knoll Elementary 7.1
Happy Valley Elementary 7.7
Bonny Doon Elementary 8.6

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What 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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,020
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 44%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 48
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)

White 72.9%
Two or More 14.6%
Hispanic 6.2%
Asian 6.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

366 GAULT ST, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Cruz Childrens School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz 0.0 mi
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 0.3 mi 7.6
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 6.0
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 7.3
Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz 0.5 mi 3.2
Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz 0.5 mi 5.3
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz 0.5 mi 3.9
VHM Christian School Santa Cruz 0.7 mi
VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.7 mi 6.1
Harbor High Santa Cruz 0.8 mi 6.6
De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 6.8
THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.9 mi 7.4
Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 7.1
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 1.1 mi
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 3.9
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 8.8
Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 6.7
Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 4.3
Holy Cross Santa Cruz 1.3 mi
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.0

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 Santa Cruz Childrens School 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
GALT ADVENTIST SCHOOL Galt, CA 4.5
Greeley Hill Elementary Coulterville, CA 4.5
HOLLISTER SDA CHRISTIAN SCHO Hollister, CA 4.5
KLA SCHOOLS OF WALNUT CREEK Walnut Creek, CA 4.5
PEPPERMINT JUNCTION Oxnard, CA 4.5
Pope Valley Elementary Pope Valley, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Cruz Childrens School

What grades does Santa Cruz Childrens School serve?

Santa Cruz Childrens School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Santa Cruz Childrens School?

Santa Cruz Childrens School has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Childrens School?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Childrens School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Santa Cruz Childrens School rank in CA?

Santa Cruz Childrens School is ranked #1687 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Santa Cruz Childrens School's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Cruz Childrens School has a composite rating of 4.5 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.

Is Santa Cruz Childrens School a private school?

Yes, Santa Cruz Childrens 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 Santa Cruz Childrens School a religious school?

No, Santa Cruz Childrens School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
48
Gender Split
42% M / 58% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Small City
County
SANTA CRUZ
Data Year
2022–2023

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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