At a glance
Reported students
1,093
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
45.92
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
23.8:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California high enrollment
67th percentile
Compared with 2,195 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
409
Santa Cruz High: 1,093 reported students.
State peer staffing position
85th percentile
23.8:1 reported; state peer median 19.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,131
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51.43
- Student–teacher ratio
- 22:1
What the reported data says about Santa Cruz High
Santa Cruz High is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Santa Cruz. It is one of 9 current school records connected to Santa Cruz City High. NCES reports 1,093 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,195 high schools in California with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 67th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 23.8:1, above the California median of 19.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (58%) and Hispanic or Latino (29%). English learners represent 3.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 8.1%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, computer science. The school reported 18 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Santa Cruz High
- 1How do the reported 23.8:1 student–teacher ratio and 45.92 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 8.1%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 22.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.3
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1.12
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White58%
- Hispanic29%
- Black1.6%
- Asian2.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial8.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
18 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Santa Cruz City High
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Soquel High
High · Grades 09–12
1,074 reported students
Harbor High
High · Grades 09–12
1,013 reported students
Delta Charter
High · Grades 09–12
113 reported students
Costanoa Career Prep Continuation High
High · Grades 09–12
77 reported students
Ark Independent Studies
High · Grades 06–12
56 reported students
Mission Hill Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
510 reported students
Public schools near Santa Cruz High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County ROP High · Santa Cruz County ROP | 10–12 | 0 | 1.1 mi |
| Santa Cruz County Court High · Santa Cruz County Office of Education | 07–12 | 20 | 1.2 mi |
| Santa Cruz County Community High · Santa Cruz County Office of Education | 07–12 | 730 | 1.2 mi |
| Ark Independent Studies High · Santa Cruz City High | 06–12 | 56 | 1.3 mi |
| Costanoa Career Prep Continuation High High · Santa Cruz City High | 09–12 | 77 | 1.3 mi |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter High · Charter · Pacific Collegiate Charter District | 07–12 | 536 | 1.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Santa Cruz High
What grades does Santa Cruz High serve?
Santa Cruz High reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Santa Cruz City High.
How many students attend Santa Cruz High?
Santa Cruz High reported 1,093 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 67th percentile among 2,195 California high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,131 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Santa Cruz High?
The calculated ratio is 23.8:1, based on 1,093 students and 45.92 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The California median for the same school level is 19.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Santa Cruz High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Santa Cruz High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Santa Cruz City High attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Santa Cruz High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
22.7% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Santa Cruz High in?
Santa Cruz High is part of Santa Cruz City High, based in Santa Cruz, CA, which operates 9 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Santa Cruz High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Santa Cruz County ROP (1.1 mi), Santa Cruz County Court (1.2 mi), Santa Cruz County Community (1.2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.