Very Good
#1816 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 19% in state
Santa Cruz High
High School · Santa Cruz City High
415 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Enrollment
1,104
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,104
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,816 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#4 of 25
public schools
In district
#1 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
Equity
8.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Santa Cruz High?
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Santa Cruz High
High School in Santa Cruz · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mission Hill Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Spring Hill-advanced Elementary School of Santa Cr
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Santa Cruz High
Santa Cruz High is a public high school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High. Santa Cruz High serves approximately 1,104 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Cruz High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,816 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Santa Cruz High show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Santa Cruz High runs 22.1:1 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Santa Cruz High — Students at Santa Cruz High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.5%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How Santa Cruz High Compares
See how Santa Cruz High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
415 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Cruz High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pacific Collegiate Charter (rated 9.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Santa Cruz County Community (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ark Independent Studies (rated 4.9/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| SPRING HILL-ADVANCED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SANTA CR Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | — |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Westlake Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Court Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 9.4 |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95060 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,040
Median Home Value
$1,189,300
Median Rent
$2,356/mo
Population
46,024
College Educated
55.2%
Homeownership
51.9%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Senior High Los Angeles, CA | 7.9 |
| Edward R. Roybal Learning Center Los Angeles, CA | 7.9 |
| Leland High San Jose, CA | 7.9 |
| Mills High Millbrae, CA | 7.9 |
| Morro Bay High Morro Bay, CA | 7.9 |
| PUC Comm Charter Mid and PUC Comm Charter Early College High Burbank, CA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Cruz High
What grades does Santa Cruz High serve?
Santa Cruz High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Santa Cruz High?
Santa Cruz High has an enrollment of approximately 1,104 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz High?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz High is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Cruz High rank in CA?
Santa Cruz High ranks #1,816 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Santa Cruz High's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Cruz High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Cruz High has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Santa Cruz High a charter school?
No, Santa Cruz High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Cruz High a Title I school?
No, Santa Cruz High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Cruz High?
25.5% of students at Santa Cruz 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,104
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.3%
- Phone
- (831) 429-3960
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95.0%
Resources & Links
District
Santa Cruz City High- District Enrollment
- 4,504
- Schools in District
- 9
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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