#1 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Holy Cross School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
A+Overall grade179 students14 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Private schools in Santa Cruz County, CA with the highest overall grades. Top 11 of 11 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Gateway School
Independent school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any independent school in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
A+Overall grade144 students5 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Mount Madonna School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Watsonville
Watsonville, CA
A+Overall grade150 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
St. Francis High School Salesian College Prep
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Serving families in Watsonville since at least 2011
Watsonville, CA
A+Overall grade212 students14 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The largest independent school in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
AOverall grade148 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Spring Hill-Advanced Elementary School of Santa CR
Independent school · Grades K–6
Serving families in Santa Cruz since at least 2011
Santa Cruz, CA
B+Overall grade72 students10 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Baymonte Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Christian school in Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley, CA
B+Overall grade373 students13 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Tara Redwood School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–5
A Montessori school in Soquel
Soquel, CA
BOverall grade70 students10 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Moreland Notre Dame School
Independent Catholic school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 22% since 2011–12
Watsonville, CA
BOverall grade273 students21 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Monterey Bay Academy
Seventh-day Adventist school · Grades 9–12
Serving families in La Selva Beach since at least 2011
La Selva Beach, CA
BOverall grade154 students15 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Santa Cruz County, CA
Twin Lakes Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–8
The only Christian school in Aptos
Aptos, CA
B-Overall grade391 students19 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.