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Average

#4197 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 44% in state

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch

Elementary School · Santa Cruz City Elementary

840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Enrollment

121

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,197 of 9,539

In Santa Cruz

#16 of 25

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Santa Cruz City Elementary

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch

6.7/10

Elementary School in Santa Cruz · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ark Independent Studies

4.9/10

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

Costanoa Continuation High

4.7/10

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

About Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch is a public elementary school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City Elementary. Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch serves approximately 121 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,197 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 121 students, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch 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.

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch runs 24.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-1.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.7 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Chronic Absenteeism19%

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch — Students at Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 24 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
75%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
47.1%
ELA
62.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch Compares

See how Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in CA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

Location

840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HOLY CROSS SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz 0.1 mi 4.9
Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz 0.1 mi 4.7
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz 0.1 mi 5.8
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 0.3 mi 7.4
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 6.0
Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz 0.4 mi
SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 4.5
Holy Cross Santa Cruz 0.9 mi
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 7.0
De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 6.8
VHM Christian School Santa Cruz 1.1 mi
Harbor High Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 6.9
VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 6.1
Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.9
THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.4
Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz 1.4 mi 6.8
Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz 1.4 mi 8.1
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 1.5 mi
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 6.7
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 7.4

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
BUNDY CANYON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wildomar, CA 6.7
Bangor Union Elementary Bangor, CA 6.7
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Granada Hills, CA 6.7
Connect Community Charter Redwood City, CA 6.7
DESTINY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rocklin, CA 6.7
FOLSOM EDUCATIONAL ACADEMY Folsom, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch

What grades does Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch serve?

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch?

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch rank in CA?

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch ranks #4,197 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch a charter school?

No, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch a Title I school?

No, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch?

27.3% of students at Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-monarch 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
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
99 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

District

Santa Cruz City Elementary
District Enrollment
1,768
Schools in District
5
District Rank
#2 of 5

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