For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public charter schools serving 703 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Santa Cruz, CA are Pacific Collegiate Charter and Tierra Pacifica Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz, CA public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 48% statewide average). Charter schools in Santa Cruz have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of California public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3004 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 479-7785
Gr: 7-12 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Tierra Pacifica Charter
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
986 Bostwick Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9404
Gr: K-8 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Santa Cruz, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
13575 Empire Grade Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-1652
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students
Cypress Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Monarch Elementary Alternative (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
313 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9346
Gr: K-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
255 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-3900
Gr: K-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Santa Cruz County Cypress Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2039 Merrill St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 477-0302
Gr: 9-12
Sequoia Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
319 La Fonda Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-3410
Gr: 7-12
Sojourn Middle Charter (Closed 2004)
Charter School
157 Trescony St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-8816
Gr: 6-8 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Pacific Collegiate Charter and Tierra Pacifica Charter.
How many public charter schools are located in Santa Cruz?
2 public charter schools are located in Santa Cruz.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz public charter schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Preventing Suicide in Schools: 2026 Guide for Educators
Learn updated 2026 strategies for preventing suicide in schools, including warning signs, intervention plans, and school-wide mental health support.
The Impact of Social Media on Students (2026 Update)
Explore the impact of social media on students in 2026, including academic, mental health, and safety insights for parents and educators.