St. Lawrence Academy Photo - Hike in Henry Cowell

Best Santa Cruz County Private Elementary Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 23 private elementary schools serving 5,657 students in Santa Cruz County, CA.
The top ranked private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Monte Vista Christian School, Moreland Notre Dame School, and Baymonte Christian School.
The average tuition cost is $17,832, which is higher than the California private elementary school average tuition cost of $17,361.
54% of private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).

Top Ranked Santa Cruz County Private Elementary Schools (2025-26)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Baymonte Christian School
Baymonte Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(1)
5000B Granite Creek Rd
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0100
Gr: NS-8 | 462 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
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
Monte Vista Christian School
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
Gr: 4-12 | 824 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 18 Tuition listed
Moreland Notre Dame School
(Catholic)
(1)
133 Brennan St
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-2051
Gr: K-8 | 289 students Avg. class size: 27 students
1 Victor Sq Ste 3036
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(650) 681-0681
Gr: 8-12 | 1,650 student
Twin Lakes Christian School
(Christian)
(1)
2701 Cabrillo College Drive
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
(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
112 E Beach St
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 428-5956
Gr: 3-12 | 29 students
Green Valley Christian School
(Christian)
376 S Green Valley Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-6505
Gr: K-8 | 177 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
Magic Apple School
Special Program Emphasis
(3)
2120 Trout Gulch
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1753
Gr: 2-6 | 46 students
Mount Madonna School
Mount Madonna School Photo - Our lovely rural setting greatly enhances our learning environment.
(5)
491 Summit Road
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
Gr: K-4 | 17 students
Orchard School
Orchard School Photo
Alternative School
2288 Trout Gulch Rd
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1074
Gr: K-6 | 59 students Avg. class size: 16 students Tuition listed
St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy
(Christian)
(2)
1940 Bonita Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 239-4657
Gr: K-12 | 185 students
St. Lawrence Academy
St. Lawrence Academy Photo - Hike in Henry Cowell
(Greek Orthodox)
6184 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-0328
Gr: K-8 | 31 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
Salesian Elementary & Junior High School
(Catholic)
(1)
605 Enos Ln
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
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
Montessori School
6230 Soquel Dr
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
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
Tara Redwood School
Tara Redwood School Photo - KNOWLEDGE | STRENGTH | COMPASSION-crating compassionate cultures since 1989.Preschool-kindergarten-1st to 6th grades.
Special Program Emphasis
(3)
5810 Prescott Rd
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-9632
Gr: NS-6 | 66 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, California

Santa Cruz County 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
12780 East St
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-4112
Gr: PK-K | 52 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The top ranked private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, CA include Monte Vista Christian School, Moreland Notre Dame School, and Baymonte Christian School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
23 private elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
How much do private elementary schools cost in Santa Cruz County?
The average tuition cost is $17,832, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,361.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County private elementary schools are approximately 39% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 50%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Santa Cruz County?
54% of private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).
Which private elementary schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Why Private School in 2025?
Why Private School in 2025?
Learn the key benefits of private school in 2025, from academics to values. Expert insights for parents making the right choice.
2025 Guides to Private Schools for Parents
2025 Guides to Private Schools for Parents
Discover the best 2025 private school guides, updated tuition, demographics, and expert advice for parents choosing private education.
So Many Choices: 2025 Private School Guide
So Many Choices: 2025 Private School Guide
Explore key factors in choosing a private school in 2025, from tuition to teaching styles. Get expert insights to guide your family’s decision.