Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Santa Cruz County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 28 public middle schools serving 10,214 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter, C. T. English Middle School and Scotts Valley Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Cruz County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3004 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Gr: 7-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
C. T. English Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
23800 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-1123
Gr: 6-8 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
Scotts Valley Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8 Bean Creek Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0610
Gr: 6-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Slvusd Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
325 Marion Ave.
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
(831) 335-0932
Gr: K-12 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
986 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Gr: K-8 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Mission Hill Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
425 King St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3860
Gr: 6-8 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #77.
Alternative Family Education
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: K-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #88.
Ark Independent Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3898
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #99.
New Brighton Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
250 Washburn Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Gr: 6-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1010.
Linscott Charter
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
220 Elm St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6301
Gr: K-8 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1111.
Aptos Junior High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1001 Huntington Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-3234
Gr: 7-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1212.
Branciforte Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
315 Poplar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3883
Gr: 6-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1313.
Ocean Alternative Education Center
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
984 Bostwick Ln. Ste. 6
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-0767
Gr: K-8 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7179 Hacienda Way
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4452
Gr: 6-8 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Shoreline Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
855 17th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-6565
Gr: 6-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1616.
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
260 West Riverside Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2100
Gr: 6-12 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Santa Cruz County Court
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Gr: 7-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5700
Gr: K-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1919.
Alianza Charter
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
115 Casserly Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6333
Gr: K-8 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2020.
Pvusd Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
250 East Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2482
Gr: K-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2121.
Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
115 Casserly Rd. West Campus
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-8123
Gr: K-8 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2222.
Pacific Coast Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
294 Green Valley Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 786-2180
Gr: K-12 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2323.
Santa Cruz County Community
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5728
Gr: 7-12 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2424.
Pajaro Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
250 Salinas Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6238
Gr: 6-8 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2525.
Lakeview Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2350 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6455
Gr: 6-8 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
440 Arthur Rd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-7699
Gr: 6-8 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2727.
Rolling Hills Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
130 Herman Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6341
Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2828.
E. A. Hall Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Brewington Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-6270
Gr: 6-8 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter, C. T. English Middle School and Scotts Valley Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
29 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public middle schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?

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