Very Good
#289 of 1,787 private schools in CA
Top 16% of private schools
The Bay School
School
1026 CAPITOLA RD, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
UG – UG
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
UG – UG
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
California private schools
#289 of 1,787
In Santa Cruz
#1 of 8
public schools
Shortlisting around The Bay 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
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The Bay School
School in Santa Cruz · grades UG – UG. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Vhm Christian School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Green Acres Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Bay School
The Bay School is a private school in Santa Cruz, CA. The Bay School serves approximately 34 students, and covers grades UG-UG, and has a 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio. The Bay School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #289 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- CA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 34 students, The Bay 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 6.8:1 students to teachers, The Bay School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
The Bay 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 The Bay School compares to 26 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Cruz, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Bay School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Live Oak Elementary | 7.5 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter | 6.7 |
| Green Acres Elementary | 8.1 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center | 7.4 |
| Harbor High | 6.9 |
| Shoreline Middle | 7.6 |
| Del Mar Elementary | 6.7 |
| De Laveaga Elementary | 6.8 |
| Gault Elementary | 6.0 |
| Branciforte Middle | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch | 6.7 |
| Ark Independent Studies | 4.9 |
| Costanoa Continuation High | 4.7 |
| Alternative Family Education | 5.8 |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary | 5.4 |
| Santa Cruz High | 7.9 |
| Mission Hill Middle | 6.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Community | 6.9 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education | 4.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Court | — |
Showing 20 of 26 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
1026 CAPITOLA RD, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Bay School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Shoreline Middle (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Live Oak Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | — |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | — |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,261
Median Home Value
$1,064,600
Median Rent
$2,291/mo
Population
36,047
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
53.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
42.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SHIELD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Monte, CA | 7.4 |
| Yosemite Falls Education Center Oakhurst, CA | 7.4 |
| BEACH CITIES LEARNING SAN GABRIEL San Gabriel, CA | 7.3 |
| A BETTER CHANCE SCHOOL/CAL AUTISM FOUNDATION Richmond, CA | 7.6 |
| Castro Valley Virtual Academy Castro Valley, CA | 7.6 |
| MISSION VALLEY SPECTRUM - MISSION Hayward, CA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Bay School
What grades does The Bay School serve?
The Bay School serves students in grades UG through UG.
How many students attend The Bay School?
The Bay School has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Bay School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Bay School is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Bay School rank in CA?
The Bay School ranks #289 of 1,787 private schools in CA.
What is The Bay School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Bay School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is The Bay School a private school?
Yes, The Bay 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 The Bay School a religious school?
No, The Bay School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- UG – UG
- Enrollment
- 34
- Gender Split
- 68% M / 32% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 229 days
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (831) 462-9620
Resources & Links
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