Average
#6659 of 9,539 schools in CA
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Elementary School · Soquel Union Elementary
8005 Winkle Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,659 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#22 of 25
public schools
In district
#4 of 4
Soquel Union Elementary
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Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Elementary School in Santa Cruz · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Good Shepherd Catholic School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Midtown Montessori
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Soquel Union Elementary. Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary serves approximately 204 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #6,659 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary runs 25.5:1 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary — Students at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.9/10.
How Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Compares
See how Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
8005 Winkle Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Happy Valley Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Live Oak Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.8 mi | — |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95065 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,768
Median Home Value
$1,192,200
Median Rent
$2,618/mo
Population
8,031
College Educated
49.6%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
43.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ASCENSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thousand Oaks, CA | 5.4 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | 5.4 |
| Cambria Grammar Cambria, CA | 5.4 |
| Chaparral Academy of Technology Fontana, CA | 5.4 |
| Charles White Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 5.4 |
| Equitas Academy 5 Los Angeles, CA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
What grades does Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary serve?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 204 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is 25.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary rank in CA?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary ranks #6,659 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Gardens Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary a charter school?
No, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary a Title I school?
No, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary?
38.2% of students at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 204
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.4%
- Phone
- (831) 464-5670
Resources & Links
District
Soquel Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,566
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,473
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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