Santa Cruz Waldorf School Photo

Best Santa Cruz Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 private schools serving 905 students in Santa Cruz, CA (there are 28 public schools, serving 9,055 public students). 9% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private schools in Santa Cruz, CA include Holy Cross School, Gateway School, and Vhm Christian School.
The average acceptance rate is 91%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
22% of private schools in Santa Cruz, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist).

Top-Ranked Santa Cruz Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Gateway School
Gateway School Photo
(3)
255 Swift Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0341
Gr: K-8 | 243 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School Photo - Holy Cross School ~ 2019 Preschool -8th grade
(Catholic)
(4)
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Gr: PK-8 | 159 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Vhm Christian School
Vhm Christian School Photo - Invest in a Christ-centered education for your children
(Seventh Day Adventist)
427 Capitola Road Extension
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 475-4762
Gr: K-8 | 68 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Bay School
The Bay School Photo - Educating Children with Autism
Special Education School
1026 Capitola Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9620
Gr: Inquire with school | 39 students
Kirby School
Kirby School Photo - At Kirby, classes average 12 students, creating space for real connection and individualized challenge.
(2)
425 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0658
Gr: 6-12 | 133 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 12 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Midtown Montessori
Midtown Montessori Photo - Cooking and eating are part of the daily curriculum.
Montessori School
987 Bostwick Lane
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 423-2273
Gr: PK-K | 25 students
366 Gault St
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-8444
Gr: K-6 | 48 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Santa Cruz Waldorf School Photo
Waldorf School
2190 Empire Grade
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-0519
Gr: PK-8 | 136 students Avg. class size: 14 students Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Spring Hill School
Spring Hill School Photo - Kindergarten working in the garden. With hands on learning and plan, students can integrate their new understanding of the world.
(14)
250 California Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2641
Gr: K-6 | 54 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
2727 Mattison Ln
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 476-4000
Gr: PK-8 | 217 students Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed

Overview

This Town (Santa Cruz)
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
905 Students
665,519 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
121 Teachers
55,528 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
58%
59%
Average Class Size
14 students
17 students
Average Number of AP Courses
16 courses
15 courses
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
27

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$21,046
$18,043
Average % on Financial Aid
41%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,593
$8,884
Average Acceptance Rate
91%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.50
0.74
# American Indian Students
1 Student
3,583 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
42 Students
72,174 Students
% Asian Students
5%
11%
# Hispanic Students
112 Students
104,621 Students
% Hispanic Students
12%
16%
# Black Students
21 Students
30,465 Students
% Black Students
2%
5%
# White Students
643 Students
236,373 Students
% White Students
69%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
4 Students
5,515 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
106 Students
190,022 Students
% of Others Students
11%
29%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 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 Holy Cross School, Gateway School, and Vhm Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Cruz?
9 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 51%.
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?
22% 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?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Santa Cruz include: Holy Cross School vs. Gateway School, Spring Hill School vs. Gateway School

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