For the 2025 school year, there are 30 private schools serving 6,045 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 Monterey Bay Academy.
The average tuition cost is $18,998, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,242.
Top Ranked Santa Cruz County Private Schools (2025)
School
Location
Grades
Students
2400 East Lake Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-5933
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-5933
Grades: 9-12
| 213 students
5000B Granite Creek Rd
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0100
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 438-0100
Grades: NS-8
| 462 students
150 Emmet
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5852
Grades: PK-8
| 159 students
2392 North Rodeo Gulch Road
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-5655
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-5655
Grades: 9-12
| 24 students
Monte Vista Christian School![Monte Vista Christian School Photo - MVC High School Quad]( "Monte Vista Christian School Photo - MVC High School Quad")
(Christian)
2 School Way
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 722-8178
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 722-8178
Grades: 6-12
| 722 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 164 students
133 Brennan St
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-2051
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-2051
Grades: K-8
| 289 students
1 Victor Sq Ste 3036
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(650) 681-0681
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(650) 681-0681
Grades: 8-12
| 1,650 students
2701 Cabrillo College Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 465-3301
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 465-3301
Grades: K-8
| 404 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 68 students
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
Grades: 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
Grades: 9-12
| 9 students
Green Valley Christian School
(Christian)
376 S Green Valley Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-6505
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-6505
Grades: K-8
| 177 students
2120 Trout Gulch
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1753
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-1753
Grades: 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
Grades: 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
Grades: NS
| 21 students
491 Summit Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
(408) 847-2717
Watsonville, CA 95076
(408) 847-2717
Grades: PK-12
| 145 students
Mountain Bible Christian School
(Christian)
23946 Summit Rd.
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-2302
Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 353-2302
Grades: 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
Grades: K-6
| 59 students
1940 Bonita Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 239-4657
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 239-4657
Grades: 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
Grades: K-8
| 31 students
605 Enos Ln
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-5518
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 728-5518
Grades: PK-8
| 164 students
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
Grades: PK-9
| 247 students
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
Grades: PK-8
| 136 students
250 California Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2641
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2641
Grades: K-6
| 54 students
5810 Prescott Rd
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-9632
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 462-9632
Grades: NS-6
| 66 students
Santa Cruz County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
2727 Mattison Ln
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 476-4000
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 476-4000
Grades: PK-8
| 217 students
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
Grades: 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 Monterey Bay Academy.
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 $18,998, which is higher than the California private school average tuition cost of $17,242.
How diverse are private schools in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County private schools are approximately 39% 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, Montessori Community School vs. Baymonte Christian School, Merit Academy vs. Kirby School
Recent Articles
A Parent's Guide To Understanding High School Teaching Methods
This comprehensive guide helps parents navigate the various teaching methods used in today's high school classrooms. By understanding these approaches, you'll be better equipped to support your teen's learning journey, communicate effectively with teachers, and create a complementary learning environment at home.
February 08, 2025
Social Emotional Learning: Education's Hidden SymphonyA musician's perspective on Social Emotional Learning reveals how this educational framework orchestrates success through five essential emotional competencies.
January 24, 2025
A Roadmap For Starting A Private SchoolUse this roadmap as a set of talking points with your trusted mentors and professionals to start the private school of your dreams. You're not alone. Over the years, hundreds of folks like you have had the same dream. From Quintilian to Maria Montessori to Lucy Madeira Wing, visionary educators have established schools to teach according to their beliefs and methodologies.
