| Index | Santa Cruz | California | National |
| Average Test Scores | 52% | 43% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 22:1 | 20:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 29 | 8,308 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 12 | 3,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 4 | 1,085 | 7,963 |
| Index | Santa Cruz | California | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 92.0% | 81.1% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 91.9% | 79.8% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 80.5% | 61.5% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 59.4% | 39.8% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 51.1% | 32.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 22.9% | 11.9% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 7.9% | 3.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 4.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 29 public schools, 12 private schools and 4 post-secondary schools in Santa Cruz. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Santa Cruz, CA schools is 52%. The average student to teacher ratio is 22:1. In Santa Cruz, CA, an average of 92.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 91.9% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 12,055 | 67% | 39.2% |
| Felton, CA | 3,197 | 58% | 20.6% |
| Capitola, CA | 10,090 | 57% | 17.7% |
| Soquel, CA | 10,721 | 56% | 17.2% |
| Davenport, CA | 509 | 56% | 16.7% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 65,011 | 52% | 7.9% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Harlingen, TX | 65,028 | 48% | 0.7% |
| Wellington, FL | 64,990 | 74% | 54.5% |
| Blaine, MN | 65,048 | 55% | 14.3% |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 65,048 | 66% | 38.3% |
| Bethesda, MD | 65,092 | 77% | 60.6% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 65,011 | 52% | 7.9% |
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