Very Good
#2530 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 27% in state
Soquel High
High School · Santa Cruz City High
401 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel, CA 95073
Enrollment
1,048
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,048
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Soquel
#2 of 4
public schools
California high schools
#447 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Soquel High
Soquel High serves 1,048 students in grades 9-12 in the mid-size suburb of Soquel, California. With 49 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, providing a manageable learning environment for its diverse student body. Academically, Soquel High performs well above the state average, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 78th percentile among California high schools.
The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 74% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 34% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating focused attention on strengthening computational and analytical skills. The school draws from a well-educated community in the 95073 zip code, where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $112,068.
This supportive environment, combined with relatively low poverty rates at 10.5%, creates a foundation for student success. Located on Old San Jose Road in Santa Cruz County, Soquel High sits in a picturesque suburban setting that balances small-town charm with proximity to the greater Monterey Bay area's educational and cultural resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Soquel High is 21.4:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Soquel High — Students at Soquel High score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 7.0/10.
How Soquel High Compares
See how Soquel High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 33.98% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 74.42% (2024).
Location
401 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel, CA 95073
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Soquel High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harbor High (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Delta Charter (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Aptos), a more accessible option. For more schools in Soquel, see our Soquel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 1.5 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel | 1.3 mi | — |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | — |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | — |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 2.1 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 2.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95073 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,929
Median Home Value
$1,012,000
Median Rent
$2,093/mo
Population
11,487
College Educated
45.1%
Homeownership
73.2%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Soquel High has a median household income of $113,929. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,012,000, with a median rent of $2,093/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Belmont Senior High Los Angeles, CA | 7.4 |
| Ripon High Ripon, CA | 7.4 |
| Gridley High Gridley, CA | 7.5 |
| Port of Los Angeles High San Pedro, CA | 7.5 |
| Preuss School UCSD La Jolla, CA | 7.5 |
| Tahoe Truckee High Truckee, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Soquel High
What grades does Soquel High serve?
Soquel High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Soquel High?
Soquel High has an enrollment of approximately 1,048 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Soquel High?
The student-teacher ratio at Soquel High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Soquel High rank in CA?
Soquel High is ranked #2530 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Soquel High's MySchoolScout rating?
Soquel High has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Soquel High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Soquel High has 40.9% math proficiency and 76.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Soquel High a charter school?
No, Soquel High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Soquel High a Title I school?
No, Soquel High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Soquel High?
30.4% of students at Soquel 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,048
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 429-3909
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Cruz City High- District Enrollment
- 4,504
- Schools in District
- 9
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
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.
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