Private School Review - Established 2003
Midtown Montessori
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Holy Cross School Top 14 ยท Oldest Founding Date (CA)

Santa Cruz Private Preschools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 private preschools serving 320 students in Santa Cruz, CA.
33% of private preschools in Santa Cruz, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked Santa Cruz Private Preschools (2026-27)

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
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 (10-Year)

3
Private Schools
-40.0% (-2 schools) 10-yr
320
Students
-56.9% (-422 students) 10-yr
$14,030
Avg. Tuition
+161.9% (+$8,673) 10-yr
17
Avg. Class Size
29%
Students of Color
+20.8% (+5.0 pp) 10-yr
11:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
-15.4% (-2.0) 10-yr
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
3 Schools
2,250 Schools
# Students
320 Students
362,590 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private Preschool

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025107174191
2024134169187
2023142173185
2022128174188
2021114170184
2020114166179
2019132168182
2018142164181
2017134166183
2016135163181
2015148152173
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% Students of Color
29%
50%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202529%50%32%
202426%49%32%
202320%50%32%
202228%48%31%
202123%48%32%
202023%47%31%
201928%48%31%
201824%47%30%
201727%48%31%
201627%48%31%
201524%47%31%
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0.63
0.70

Diversity Score Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20250.630.700.65
20240.610.710.65
20230.590.710.65
20220.630.710.64
20210.610.710.64
20200.610.710.64
20190.620.720.64
20180.590.710.64
20170.570.710.62
20160.570.710.62
20150.550.710.62
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Show more data/charts: racial breakdown
# American Indian Students
1 Student
1,696 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a

Percentage of Private Preschool Students of American Indian Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20173%1%1%
20163%1%1%
20153%1%2%
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# Asian Students
8 Students
30,478 Students
% Asian Students
3%
9%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20253%9%4%
20243%9%5%
20235%9%5%
20225%9%5%
20216%9%5%
20206%9%4%
20196%9%5%
20186%9%5%
20175%9%3%
20165%9%3%
20153%9%3%
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# Hispanic Students
55 Students
43,618 Students
% Hispanic Students
17%
13%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202517%12%8%
202415%13%8%
20237%13%8%
202213%13%8%
202112%13%7%
202012%13%7%
201911%14%7%
20187%13%7%
20179%13%6%
20169%13%7%
201510%13%6%
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# Black Students
6 Students
12,275 Students
% Black Students
2%
3%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
20252%4%6%
20242%4%6%
20191%3%6%
20181%3%6%
20171%4%6%
20161%4%6%
20151%4%6%
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# White Students
173 Students
112,977 Students
% White Students
54%
33%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202554%32%48%
202456%33%48%
202354%33%48%
202252%36%50%
202155%35%50%
202055%35%51%
201953%36%52%
201856%36%52%
201762%38%54%
201662%38%54%
201563%38%54%
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# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
2,015 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
74 Students
143,253 Students
% of Others Students
23%
41%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202523%42%34%
202423%40%33%
202334%39%33%
202230%37%31%
202127%37%31%
202027%38%31%
201929%36%30%
201830%37%30%
201720%35%30%
201620%35%29%
201520%35%29%
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All Ethnic Groups
Academics
# Teachers
30 Teachers
26,882 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
14:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202511:114:112:1
202410:114:112:1
202314:114:112:1
202214:114:112:1
202116:114:112:1
202016:114:112:1
201911:114:112:1
201810:114:112:1
201711:114:112:1
201611:114:112:1
201513:114:113:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
49%
58%

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202549%58%51%
202444%57%51%
202337%55%51%
202241%56%51%
202139%56%50%
202039%55%50%
201935%56%50%
201835%54%50%
201735%54%49%
201645%53%49%
201520%51%48%
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Average Class Size
17 students
18 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025171816
2024201816
2023201816
2022191816
2021181816
2020181816
2019181816
2018181816
2017181816
2016171816
2015171716
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Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$14,030
$15,717

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025$14,030$15,764$12,988
2024$11,453$13,486$10,159
2023$11,453$12,933$9,500
2022$10,208$11,654$8,989
2021$8,518$11,328$8,661
2020$8,518$10,673$8,383
2019$8,278$10,366$8,266
2018$9,200$9,953$7,888
2017$8,221$9,748$7,628
2016$7,624$9,284$7,230
2015$5,357$8,988$6,984
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Average % on Financial Aid
30%
25%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
202530%25%31%
202430%25%30%
202330%25%30%
202248%26%29%
202140%25%29%
202040%24%29%
201940%25%28%
201825%24%27%
201742%24%26%
201640%22%25%
201548%22%24%
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Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,500
$5,800

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2015-2025)

YearSanta Cruz, CA AvgCalifornia (CA)National
2025$1,500$5,597$4,864
2024$1,638$5,756$4,788
2023$1,638$6,813$4,663
2022$1,592$6,489$4,366
2021$2,369$4,847$4,213
2020$2,369$4,841$4,101
2019$2,681$4,288$3,985
2018$2,658$4,068$3,694
2017$2,556$4,127$3,658
2016$2,556$3,170$3,429
2015$1,842$3,271$3,393
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Admissions & Athletics
Average Number of Extracurriculars
4 extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
4 sports
6 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private preschools in Santa Cruz, CA?
The top ranked private preschools in Santa Cruz, CA is Holy Cross School.
How many private preschools are located in Santa Cruz?
3 private preschools are located in Santa Cruz.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Santa Cruz?
33% of private preschools in Santa Cruz are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
Which private preschools in Santa Cruz are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private preschools in Santa Cruz include: Midtown Montessori vs. Holy Cross School

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