For the 2025-26 school year, there are 30 private schools serving 6,147 students in Santa Cruz County, CA (there are 85 public schools, serving 34,133 public students). 15% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz County, CA are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The top ranked private schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Merit Academy, Monte Vista Christian School, and Moreland Notre Dame School.
The average tuition cost is $18,740, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,996.
Top Ranked Santa Cruz County Private Schools (2025-26)
School
Location
Quick Facts
5000B Granite Creek Rd
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0100
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0100
Gr: NS-8 | 462 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
255 Swift Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0341
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0341
Gr: K-8 | 243 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Gr: PK-8 | 159 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
2392 North Rodeo Gulch Road
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-5655
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-5655
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Avg. class size: 1 student Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Monte Vista Christian School![Monte Vista Christian School Photo - Students from the Class of 2025 on College Decision Day]( "Monte Vista Christian School Photo - Students from the Class of 2025 on College Decision Day")
(Christian)
2 School Way
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 722-8178
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 722-8178
Gr: 4-12 | 824 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
Monterey Bay Academy![Monterey Bay Academy Photo]( "Monterey Bay Academy Photo")
(Seventh Day Adventist)
783 San Andreas Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-1481
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-1481
Gr: 9-12 | 164 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
133 Brennan St
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-2051
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-2051
Gr: K-8 | 289 students Avg. class size: 27 students
2400 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-5933
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-5933
Gr: 9-12 | 213 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 30 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1 Victor Sq Ste 3036
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(650) 681-0681
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(650) 681-0681
Gr: 8-12 | 1,650 student
2701 Cabrillo College Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 465-3301
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 465-3301
Gr: K-8 | 404 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Vhm Christian School![Vhm Christian School Photo - Invest in a Christ-centered education for your children]( "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
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]( "The Bay School Photo - Educating Children with Autism")
Special Education School
5400 Soquel Avenue, Suite F
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9620
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 462-9620
Gr: Inquire with school | 34 students
Beach High School
Alternative School
5520 Old San Jose Rd
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-5867
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-5867
Gr: 9-12 | 9 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Green Valley Christian School
(Christian)
376 S Green Valley Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-6505
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-6505
Gr: K-8 | 177 students
425 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-0658
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
2120 Trout Gulch
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1753
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1753
Gr: 2-6 | 46 students
Midtown Montessori![Midtown Montessori Photo - Cooking and eating are part of the daily curriculum.]( "Midtown Montessori Photo - Cooking and eating are part of the daily curriculum.")
Montessori School
987 Bostwick Lane
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 423-2273
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 423-2273
Gr: PK-K | 25 students
Montessori Community School![Montessori Community School Photo]( "Montessori Community School Photo")
Montessori School
123 S Navarra Dr
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9313
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9313
Gr: NS | 21 students
491 Summit Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
(408) 847-2717
Watsonville, CA 95076
(408) 847-2717
Gr: PK-12 | 145 students Avg. class size: 13 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
Mountain Bible Christian School
(Christian)
23946 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-2302
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-2302
Gr: K-4 | 17 students
Orchard School![Orchard School Photo]( "Orchard School Photo")
Alternative School
2288 Trout Gulch Rd
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1074
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1074
Gr: K-6 | 59 students Avg. class size: 16 students Tuition listed
1940 Bonita Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 239-4657
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 239-4657
Gr: K-12 | 185 students
St. Lawrence Academy![St. Lawrence Academy Photo - Hike in Henry Cowell]( "St. Lawrence Academy Photo - Hike in Henry Cowell")
(Greek Orthodox)
6184 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-0328
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-0328
Gr: K-8 | 31 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
605 Enos Ln
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-5518
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-5518
Gr: PK-8 | 164 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
366 Gault St
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 429-8444
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 Montessori School![Santa Cruz Montessori School Photo - Primary Class]( "Santa Cruz Montessori School Photo - Primary Class")
Montessori School
6230 Soquel Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 476-1646
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 476-1646
Gr: PK-9 | 247 students Avg. class size: 21 students Tuition listed
Santa Cruz Waldorf School![Santa Cruz Waldorf School Photo]( "Santa Cruz Waldorf School Photo")
Waldorf School
2190 Empire Grade
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-0519
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-0519
Gr: PK-8 | 136 students Avg. class size: 14 students Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
250 California Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2641
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2641
Gr: K-6 | 54 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
5810 Prescott Rd
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-9632
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-9632
Gr: NS-6 | 66 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Santa Cruz County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2727 Mattison Ln
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 476-4000
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 476-4000
Gr: PK-8 | 217 students Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Little People S School (Closed 2022)
Daycare / Preschool
12780 East St
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-4112
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-4112
Gr: PK-K | 52 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked private schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Merit Academy, Monte Vista Christian School, and Moreland Notre Dame School.
How many private schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
30 private schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
How much do private schools cost in Santa Cruz County?
The average tuition cost is $18,740, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,996.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County private schools are approximately 40% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 51%.
What percentage of students in Santa Cruz County go to private school?
15% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz County are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Santa Cruz County?
Which private schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Santa Cruz County include: Salesian Elementary & Junior High School vs. Moreland Notre Dame School, Merit Academy vs. Kirby School, Montessori Community School vs. Baymonte Christian School
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