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Average

#1003 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Vhm Christian School

Elementary School

427 CAPITOLA RD EXT, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Santa Cruz. Learn more

Enrollment

62

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Santa Cruz

#5 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#591 of 1,102

About Vhm Christian School

VHM Christian School serves 62 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Santa Cruz, California. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, supported by 5 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10, ranking #1009 out of 1790 schools statewide, placing it in the 44th percentile among California elementary schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit setting where teachers can give individual attention to each student. Located at 427 Capitola Road Extension, VHM Christian School sits in the heart of Santa Cruz's 95062 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $101,291 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects a well-educated community with a median home value of $968,300, though 13.7% of residents face economic challenges.

The school's small size allows for personalized learning experiences and strong relationships between students, families, and educators. VHM Christian School operates within Santa Cruz's mid-size suburban setting, offering families an intimate educational environment in one of California's most desirable coastal communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 62 students, Vhm Christian 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.

As a private school, Vhm Christian 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Vhm Christian School compares to 23 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Cruz, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
This School
vs
20.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
62
This School
vs
297
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.1
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 51.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 33.9% vs 0%
Asian 4.8% vs 0%
Black 3.2% vs 0%
Vhm Christian School Santa Cruz Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Vhm Christian School (this school) 6.1
Green Acres Elementary 7.1
Tierra Pacifica Charter 3.9
Ocean Alternative Education Center 8.8
Live Oak Elementary 4.3
De Laveaga Elementary 6.8
Shoreline Middle 6.7
Gault Elementary 7.6
Branciforte Middle 6.0
Del Mar Elementary 5.8
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch 7.3
Ark Independent Studies 3.2
Alternative Family Education 3.9
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary 3.5
Mission Hill Middle 5.4
Santa Cruz County Special Education 7.4
Santa Cruz County Community 6.2
Santa Cruz County Court
Bay View Elementary 7.3
Happy Valley Elementary 7.7
Westlake Elementary 6.5

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

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 61%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 62
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)

White 51.6%
Hispanic 33.9%
Asian 4.8%
Two or More 4.8%
Black 3.2%
Pacific Islander 1.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

427 CAPITOLA RD EXT, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vhm Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
VHM Christian School Santa Cruz 0.0 mi
THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.3 mi 7.4
Harbor High Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 6.6
Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 7.1
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 3.9
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 8.8
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 0.4 mi
Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz 0.7 mi 4.3
De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz 0.8 mi 6.8
SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.7 mi 4.5
Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz 0.7 mi
Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz 0.9 mi 6.7
Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 5.8
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 7.6
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 6.0
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 7.2
Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz 1.1 mi 7.3
Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 3.2
Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz 1.2 mi 5.3
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz 1.2 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 Vhm Christian 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
ALPHA-KIDZ INTERNATIONAL Canyon Country, CA 6.1
BRAWLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Brawley, CA 6.1
CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL San Luis Obispo, CA 6.1
Oak Tree Community Day Palmdale, CA 6.1
San Lucas Elementary San Lucas, CA 6.1
TZU CHI ELEMENTARY SATOA Walnut, CA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vhm Christian School

What grades does Vhm Christian School serve?

Vhm Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Vhm Christian School?

Vhm Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vhm Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vhm Christian School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Vhm Christian School rank in CA?

Vhm Christian School is ranked #1003 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Vhm Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vhm Christian School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Vhm Christian School a private school?

Yes, Vhm Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Seventh-day Adventist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Vhm Christian School a religious school?

Vhm Christian School has a Seventh-day Adventist religious affiliation.

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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
62
Gender Split
61% M / 39% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Seventh-day Adventist
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
SANTA CRUZ
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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