Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#8966 of 9,533 schools in CA

Tierra Pacifica Charter

Elementary School · Live Oak Elementary

986 Bostwick Ln., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Charter

Enrollment

163

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Cruz

#22 of 25

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,385 of 5,817

In district

#6 of 6

Live Oak Elementary

About Tierra Pacifica Charter

Tierra Pacifica Charter is a charter school located in the mid-size suburb of Santa Cruz, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, this elementary school has an enrollment of 163 students and offers a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers. While its MySchoolScout Rating stands at 5.6 out of 10, the school’s academic performance in ELA/Reading is notable with 55% of students proficient or above, and in Math, 48% are proficient or above.

The state ranking for Tierra Pacifica Charter places it at #4497 among 9566 schools statewide, placing it in the 53rd percentile. Tierra Pacifica Charter focuses on student development and community engagement within its mid-size suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 163 students, Tierra Pacifica Charter 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Tierra Pacifica Charter is 23.3:1, 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.

Tierra Pacifica Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.3%
Math vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,076

Tierra Pacifica Charter — Students at Tierra Pacifica Charter score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.4%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
43.8%
ELA
51.7%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Tierra Pacifica Charter Compares

See how Tierra Pacifica Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

986 Bostwick Ln., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tierra Pacifica Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 0.0 mi 8.8
Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz 0.1 mi 7.1
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 0.1 mi
VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 6.1
THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.5 mi 7.4
VHM Christian School Santa Cruz 0.4 mi
Harbor High Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 6.6
Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz 0.6 mi 4.3
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.7 mi 7.2
De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz 0.8 mi 6.8
Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 6.7
Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 5.8
SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 4.5
Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz 1.1 mi
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 3.5
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 6.0
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 7.6
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 7.3
Soquel High Soquel 1.5 mi 7.4
Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 5.3

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 Tierra Pacifica Charter 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
Alcott Elementary San Diego, CA 3.9
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY San Francisco, CA 3.9
Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science Hayward, CA 3.9
Lincoln Elementary Ventura, CA 3.9
Achieve Charter School of Chico Chico, CA 4.0
Apple Valley Virtual Academy Apple Valley, CA 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tierra Pacifica Charter

What grades does Tierra Pacifica Charter serve?

Tierra Pacifica Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Tierra Pacifica Charter?

Tierra Pacifica Charter has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tierra Pacifica Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Tierra Pacifica Charter is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tierra Pacifica Charter rank in CA?

Tierra Pacifica Charter is ranked #8966 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Tierra Pacifica Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Tierra Pacifica Charter has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Tierra Pacifica Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tierra Pacifica Charter has 48.4% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tierra Pacifica Charter a charter school?

Yes, Tierra Pacifica Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Tierra Pacifica Charter a Title I school?

No, Tierra Pacifica Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tierra Pacifica Charter?

28.8% of students at Tierra Pacifica Charter qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,203/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Cruz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Live Oak Elementary
District Enrollment
1,675
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,863
District Rank
#6 of 6

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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.