Average
#1121 of 1,787 private schools in CA
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Elementary School
2190 EMPIRE GRADE, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
California private schools
#1,121 of 1,787
In Santa Cruz
#6 of 8
public schools
Shortlisting around Santa Cruz Waldorf School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Elementary School in Santa Cruz · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Westlake Elementary
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Santa Cruz Waldorf School is a private elementary school in Santa Cruz, CA. Santa Cruz Waldorf School serves approximately 128 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Cruz Waldorf School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,121 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
- This school 5.9 · Average
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 128 students, Santa Cruz Waldorf School 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.
At 8.6:1 students to teachers, Santa Cruz Waldorf School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Santa Cruz Waldorf School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Santa Cruz Waldorf School compares to 23 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Cruz, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Waldorf School (this school) | 5.9 |
| Santa Cruz County Community | 6.9 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education | 4.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Court | — |
| Westlake Elementary | 6.2 |
| Brook Knoll Elementary | 7.0 |
| Mission Hill Middle | 6.8 |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter | 9.4 |
| Bay View Elementary | 6.1 |
| Ark Independent Studies | 4.9 |
| Alternative Family Education | 5.8 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch | 6.7 |
| Branciforte Middle | 7.4 |
| Gault Elementary | 6.0 |
| De Laveaga Elementary | 6.8 |
| Happy Valley Elementary | 8.4 |
| Green Acres Elementary | 8.1 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center | 7.4 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter | 6.7 |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary | 5.4 |
| Live Oak Elementary | 7.5 |
Showing 20 of 23 schools. View all schools in Santa Cruz
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
2190 EMPIRE GRADE, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Cruz Waldorf School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brook Knoll Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY CROSS SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GATEWAY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Waldorf School Santa Cruz | 0.0 mi | — |
| Westlake Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Court Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Brook Knoll Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter Santa Cruz | 3.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 3.2 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| San Lorenzo Valley High Felton | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| PACIFIC SANDS ACADEMY Scotts Valley | 3.4 mi | — |
| SPRING HILL-ADVANCED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SANTA CR Santa Cruz | 3.6 mi | 5.7 |
| San Lorenzo Valley Elementary Felton | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| San Lorenzo Valley Middle Felton | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| California Connections Academy Monterey Bay Ripon | 3.6 mi | 3.3 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Lakeside Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 5.9 |
| Prescott Elementary Oakland, CA | 5.9 |
| SAN FRANCISCO CITY ACADEMY San Francisco, CA | 5.9 |
| ST CHRISTOPHER PARISH SCHOOL West Covina, CA | 5.9 |
| ST HYACINTH ACADEMY San Jacinto, CA | 5.9 |
| ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Whittier, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Cruz Waldorf School
What grades does Santa Cruz Waldorf School serve?
Santa Cruz Waldorf School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Santa Cruz Waldorf School?
Santa Cruz Waldorf School has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Waldorf School?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Cruz Waldorf School is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Santa Cruz Waldorf School rank in CA?
Santa Cruz Waldorf School ranks #1,121 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
What is Santa Cruz Waldorf School's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Cruz Waldorf School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Santa Cruz Waldorf School a private school?
Yes, Santa Cruz Waldorf 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 Waldorf School a religious school?
No, Santa Cruz Waldorf School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 128
- Gender Split
- 47% M / 53% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 163 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 425-0519
Resources & Links
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.