Very Good
#288 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 16% of private schools
The Bay School
School
1026 CAPITOLA RD, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Santa Cruz. Learn more
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
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#1 of 8
public schools
California schools
#68 of 366
About The Bay School
THE BAY SCHOOL serves 34 students with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, providing an intimate learning environment with 5 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #321 out of 1790 schools statewide and achieving a 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating, placing it in the 82nd percentile among California schools. The small enrollment creates opportunities for individualized attention and close student-teacher relationships that larger schools often cannot provide.
With nearly half of the surrounding community holding bachelor's degrees or higher, THE BAY SCHOOL operates in an academically-oriented environment where education is highly valued. Located on Capitola Road in Santa Cruz, the school sits in a mid-size suburban setting where the median household income of $101,291 reflects a relatively affluent community. The neighborhood's median home value of $968,300 indicates a stable, established area with families invested in their community.
THE BAY SCHOOL's combination of small size, strong academic reputation, and dedicated teaching staff creates a unique educational environment where every student can receive personalized attention. The school serves families in one of Santa Cruz's desirable suburban neighborhoods, surrounded by a community that prioritizes educational achievement and maintains strong property values.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 34 students, The Bay School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, The Bay School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Bay School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $822,862
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $865,555
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.05x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 89%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $73.0M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 34 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
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 | 4.3 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter | 3.9 |
| Green Acres Elementary | 7.1 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center | 8.8 |
| Harbor High | 6.6 |
| Shoreline Middle | 6.7 |
| Del Mar Elementary | 5.8 |
| De Laveaga Elementary | 6.8 |
| Gault Elementary | 7.6 |
| Branciforte Middle | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch | 7.3 |
| Ark Independent Studies | 3.2 |
| Costanoa Continuation High | 5.3 |
| Alternative Family Education | 3.9 |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary | 3.5 |
| Santa Cruz High | 7.7 |
| Mission Hill Middle | 5.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Community | 6.2 |
| 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
What 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. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 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 | 7.1 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Bay School has a median household income of $108,261. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,064,600, with a median rent of $2,291/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| SHIELD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Monte, CA | 7.4 |
| San Mateo County Special Education Redwood City, CA | 7.4 |
| BEACH CITIES LEARNING SAN GABRIEL San Gabriel, CA | 7.3 |
| Harry P B Carden Marysville, CA | 7.3 |
| Kelseyville Learning Academy Kelseyville, CA | 7.3 |
| A BETTER CHANCE SCHOOL/CAL AUTISM FOUNDATION Richmond, 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 is ranked #288 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is The Bay School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Bay School 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.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (831) 462-9620
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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