Quick Facts (2026-27)
- School Type: Montessori School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-9
- Enrollment: 247 students
- Yearly Tuition: $14,120
- Average class size: 21 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: ✓Verified school update
Santa Cruz Montessori School
About the School
- Santa Cruz Montessori nurtures and guides children from 18 months to 15 years.
- We have beautiful, safe, repared environments.
- We nurture self-descipline, responsibility, and collaborative learning.
- We develop strong critical thinking skills and the full breadth of academics.
- Our teachers are experienced, engaged, patient, and kind.
- We appreciate each child as unique and a force for good in the world.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- School Type: Montessori School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-9
- Enrollment: 247 students
- Yearly Tuition: $14,120
- Average class size: 21 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: ✓Verified school update
School Facts
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-9
Students By Grade
Year Founded
1964
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
247 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
18%
State avg.: 52%
Academics & Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
14 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
National avg.: 11:1
Average Class Size
21 students
Tuition & Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$14,120
Tuition Notes
Annual tuition ranges from 10280 to 15910 depending on student's age and schedule
% on Financial Aid
45%
Admissions Director
Kathy Rideout
School Notes
- School Motto: Inspiring Lifelong Learning Since 1964
- Santa Cruz Montessori nurtures and guides children from 18 months to 15 years with a philosophy of quality education and exceptional care in a safe and nurturing environment. Our programs focus on building independence, a love of learning, and respect for self, others, and our world. At Santa Cruz Montessori we see education as a "preparation for life." The mission of Santa Cruz Montessori is to guide and nurture the natural unfolding of the whole individual in a developmentally based Montessori learning environment. We believe that respect - for ourselves, each other and our environment (school, community and world) - is the foundation of Santa Cruz Montessori philosophy and drives our efforts at peace through education. We are committed to respect in all areas of our educational efforts, including: collaboration among staff, Board members, volunteers and parents to achieve mission-driven goals; an environment of acceptance for diverse people, ideas, cultures and economics; compassion and trust with one another; and individual responsibility in contributing to the creation of a quality Montessori environment for all.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Santa Cruz Montessori School cost?
Santa Cruz Montessori School's tuition is approximately $14,120 for private students.
When is the application deadline for Santa Cruz Montessori School?
The application deadline for Santa Cruz Montessori School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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The nearest high school to Santa Cruz Montessori School is Merit Academy (2.5 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Twin Lakes Christian School (0.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Tara Redwood School (1.4 miles away)
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Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 9
255 Swift Street
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(831) 423-0341
Distance: 2.6 mi
Gr: K-6 | 59 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Alternative School
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(831) 688-1074
Distance: 4.1 mi
Gr: K-6 | 48 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Extracurriculars: 4
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Extracurriculars: 3
Waldorf School
2190 Empire Grade
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-0519
Distance: 32.0 mi
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Avg. class size: 15 students
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360 La Cuesta Dr
Portola Valley, CA 94028
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2245 Avy Avenue
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(650) 854-4545
Distance: 42.2 mi
Gr: PK-8 | 312 students
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901 Arnold Way
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(650) 712-9892
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Alternative School
2392 North Rodeo Gulch Road
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(831) 462-5655
Distance: 4.4 mi
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Gr: 2-6 | 46 students
Specialized Curriculum
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Seventh Day Adventist
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Gr: NS-6 | 66 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Specialized Curriculum
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(831) 462-9632
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Montessori School
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(831) 423-2273
Distance: 5.4 mi
Gr: PK-8 | 159 students
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Catholic
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Montessori School
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School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Mar Vista Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6860 Soquel Dr.
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(831) 688-5211
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-5211
0.8 miles
Gr: K-6 | 270 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Main Street Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3400 North Main St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5650
1.2 miles
Gr: K-5 | 383 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
New Brighton Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
250 Washburn Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 464-5660
1.2 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 585 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Santa Cruz County Rop
Vocational School
400 Encinal St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 466-5762
1.4 miles
Gr: 10-12
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(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
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(831) 464-5655
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 464-5655
1.4 miles
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
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Did You Know?
The average private school tuition in Santa Cruz County, CA is $17,758 for elementary schools and $29,726 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Santa Cruz County, CA is 90% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).
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