Private School Review - Established 2003
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Gateway School
The Bay School

Santa Cruz Private Schools

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 private schools serving 854 students in Santa Cruz, CA, 9% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz, CA are educated in private schools versus public schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The average acceptance rate is 87%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 84%.
25% of private schools in Santa Cruz, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Private Schools: 8
  • # Students Served: 854
  • Average Tuition: $20,004
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 40%
  • Average Class Size: 15 students
  • % Students of Color: 23%
  • View Santa Cruz, CA School Trends
  • Averages cover the schools that report each figure.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Private Schools: 8
  • # Students Served: 854
  • Average Tuition: $20,004
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 40%
  • Average Class Size: 15 students
  • % Students of Color: 23%
  • View Santa Cruz, CA School Trends
  • Averages cover the schools that report each figure.

Top Ranked Santa Cruz Private Schools (2026-27)

Gateway School Photo
Gateway School
Gr: K-8 | 243 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 9
255 Swift Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0341
(3)
View Profile
Holy Cross School Photo
Holy Cross School
Gr: PK-8 | 159 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 4 | Extracurriculars: 4
Catholic
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
(4)
View Profile
Santa Cruz Childrens School Photo
Santa Cruz Childrens School
Gr: K-6 | 48 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Extracurriculars: 4
366 Gault St
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-8444
View Profile
Vhm Christian School Photo
Vhm Christian School
Gr: K-8 | 68 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 4
Seventh Day Adventist
427 Capitola Road Extension
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-4762
View Profile
The Bay School Photo
The Bay School
Gr: Inquire with school | 39 students
Special Education School
1026 Capitola Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9620
View Profile
Kirby School Photo
Kirby School
Gr: 6-12 | 136 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Sports: 12 | Extracurriculars: 18
425 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0658
(2)
View Profile
Midtown Montessori Photo
Midtown Montessori
Gr: PK-K | 25 students
Montessori School
987 Bostwick Lane
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 423-2273
View Profile
Santa Cruz Waldorf School Photo
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Gr: PK-8 | 136 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Extracurriculars: 3
Waldorf School
2190 Empire Grade
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-0519
View Profile
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California Private Schools (Closed)

Good Shepherd Catholic School Photo
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 217 students
Avg. class size: 25 students
Catholic
2727 Mattison Ln
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 476-4000
(2)
View Profile
Spring Hill School Photo
Spring Hill School
Gr: K-6 | 54 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
250 California Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2641
(14)
View Profile

Santa Cruz, CA Private School Trends

8
Private Schools
854
Students
$20,004
Avg. Tuition
15
Avg. Class Size
23%
Students of Color
8:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
Download town snapshot: CSV | XML | JSON Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission.
Enrollment & Diversity
Category
This Town (Santa Cruz)
This State (CA)
# Schools
8 Schools
3,905 Schools
# Students
854 Students
659,679 Students
% Students of Color
23%
52%
0.51
0.74
Show more data/charts: racial breakdown
# American Indian Students
1 Student
3,574 Students
% American Indian Students
<1%
1%
# Asian Students
39 Students
71,776 Students
% Asian Students
5%
11%
# Hispanic Students
108 Students
104,400 Students
% Hispanic Students
12%
16%
# Black Students
20 Students
30,215 Students
% Black Students
2%
5%
# White Students
600 Students
235,682 Students
% White Students
68%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
4 Students
5,499 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
1%
# Others Students
106 Students
188,785 Students
% of Others Students
12%
29%
All Ethnic Groups
Academics
# Teachers
108 Teachers
55,864 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
55%
60%
Average Class Size
15 students
17 students
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
28
Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$20,004
$18,535
Average % on Financial Aid
40%
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,491
$9,660
Admissions & Athletics
Average Acceptance Rate
87%
84%
Average Number of Extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top ranked private schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Gateway School, Holy Cross School, and Vhm Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Cruz?
8 private schools are located in Santa Cruz.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz private schools are approximately 23% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 52%.
What percentage of students in Santa Cruz go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Santa Cruz?
25% of private schools in Santa Cruz are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist).
Which private schools in Santa Cruz are often viewed compared to one another?

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