Needs Improvement
#9264 of 9,533 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
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#24 of 25
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,608 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 4
Soquel Union Elementary
About Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is a regular public school located in Santa Cruz, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 204 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.5:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the 42nd percentile among California schools.
Academically, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 48% are proficient or above in Math. Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary focuses on student development with room for academic growth. The school is situated in a mid-size suburb, providing a supportive community atmosphere for learning.
The neighborhood surrounding the school is part of the Santa Cruz area, known for its scenic coastal setting and vibrant local culture.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is 25.5:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 10 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: 2.3/10.
How Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Compares
See how Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 46.43% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 40.48% (2024).
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. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Happy Valley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mountain Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Soquel), 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 | 7.2 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.8 mi | — |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has a median household income of $142,768. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,192,200, with a median rent of $2,618/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Anderson Valley Elementary Boonville, CA | 3.5 |
| BEATITUDES OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL La Mirada, CA | 3.5 |
| Empire Gardens Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.5 |
| Grenada Elementary Grenada, CA | 3.5 |
| Invictus Leadership Academy Los Angeles, CA | 3.5 |
| Lowell Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #9264 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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.
What are the test scores at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary has 48.2% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (831) 464-5670
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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