Westlake Elementary

Westlake Elementary serves 471 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Santa Cruz, California, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates solid academic achievement across its programs. Students at Westlake show strong performance in core subjects, with 72% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 65% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

The school operates with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 24.8 to 1, which is typical for California elementary schools. The school draws families from a diverse community where the median household income is $101,962, and 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This educated community backdrop supports the school's academic focus, though the area also shows economic diversity with an 18.2% poverty rate, reflecting Santa Cruz County's broader economic landscape.

Located on High Street in this coastal small city, Westlake Elementary sits within a community known for its blend of university influence, tech industry presence, and California's scenic central coast culture, providing students with both academic opportunity and natural beauty in their daily educational environment.

The student-teacher ratio at Westlake Elementary is 24.8:1, 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.