There’s never been a tougher time to decide on your kids’ schooling and never has after school education been as important. This guide will help you find the right program for you.
Schools
Acton Academy Santa Cruz
440 Frederick St, Santa Cruz
www.ActonSantaCruz.org
[email protected]
At Acton Academy Santa Cruz (440 Frederick St, Midtown), learners ages 4–18 embark on a transformative, learner-driven journey to discover their unique calling. Our Montessori-based Spark Studio nurtures curiosity for ages 4–8, while older learners engage in Socratic discussions, real-world projects, and apprenticeships—growing into resilient, self-motivated problem solvers. On Fridays, ArtTerra Enrichment brings creativity to life through hands-on art, permaculture, and nature-based learning. Mixed-age studios explore painting, sculpture, planting, music, and theater—fostering leadership and connection to beauty and nature. Now enrolling for 2025–2026.
Chartwell School
2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside
831.394.3468
Chartwell.org
Chartwell School, located on 60 acres in Seaside, serves students with dyslexia and associated learning differences in grades 1-12. We provide targeted instruction in reading, writing, and math to empower learners with the skills, strategies, tools, and social-emotional mindset to thrive in college and beyond.
Gateway School (K-8)
255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz
831.423.0341 ext 302
[email protected]
gatewaysc.org
Founded in 1970, Gateway is Santa Cruz County’s only accredited independent K–8 school. We provide a rigorous academic curriculum balanced with a strong focus on students’ social and emotional well-being, inspiring children to lead lives of purpose and compassion through scholarship and citizenship.
Orchard School (K-6)
2288 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos
831.688.1074
orchardschoolaptos.org
Orchard School provides a unique K-6 education with small class sizes, a 14-acre campus, an organic garden, and an animal farm. Students enjoy hands-on learning with strong academics, science, art, music, theater, ceramics, archery, swimming, leadership, and drama productions.
Rocking Horse Ranch Preschool
Lic #444400117
4134 Fairway Dr, Soquel
831.462.2702
rockinghorseranchpreschool.com
[email protected]
We offer morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions on three beautiful acres with swings, slides, trees to climb, a ninja course, zipline, bike track, giant sandbox, farm animals, and an organic garden and orchard.
Santa Catalina School
1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey
831.655.9300
santacatalina.org
Santa Catalina School prepares students to lead lives of meaning and purpose. Our co-ed Lower and Middle School (PreK–Grade 8) thoughtfully combines values-based, hands-on learning with intentional development of character. Our all-girls day and boarding Upper School (Grades 9–12) encourages students to explore, discover, and deepen their passions and interests in academic and real-world settings. Grounded in relationships and service to others, Santa Catalina boasts a 75-year tradition of educating fearless and enthusiastic scholars equipped to enter the world with courage, grace, and compassion. Visit us to explore all that Catalina has to offer. School-year transportation available.
Santa Cruz City Schools
Contact: Sam Rolens
[email protected]
831.419.2927
sccs.net/enroll
Santa Cruz City Schools offers Transitional Kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school programs emphasizing exploration, academic excellence, arts, athletics, leadership, and community engagement. High Schools provide AP classes and broad opportunities to prepare for college or careers.
Santa Cruz Montessori
Ages 18 months – 14 years
Winston Campus: 244 Cabrillo College Drive,
Main Campus: 6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Soquel
831.476.1646
scms.org
Santa Cruz Montessori is a non-profit school offering Montessori education for ages 18 months to 14 years. Our curriculum encourages independence, curiosity, and lifelong learning across humanities, math, sciences, and arts.
Santa Cruz Waldorf School (PreK-8)
2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz
831.425.0519
[email protected]
santacruzwaldorf.org
Santa Cruz Waldorf School nurtures intellectual and artistic growth in a balanced curriculum. Our rural redwood campus provides language, movement, music, arts, games, and gardening in a warm, joyful community.
Tara Redwood School
5810 Prescott Road, Soquel
831.462.9632
[email protected]
tararedwoodschool.org
Tara Redwood School teaches the Creating Compassionate Cultures (CCC) pedagogy combined with Montessori methods. Serving ages 2–11, students learn indoors and outdoors on 108 acres, focusing on global studies, arts, social-emotional learning, and environmental stewardship.
Universal PreKindergarten – Santa Cruz County Office of Education
831.466.5820
childcare.santacruzcoe.org
Starting in 2025–26, families can access free or low-cost early learning for ages 2–5, including preschool and Transitional Kindergarten for age 4 by Sept 1. Open to all families, regardless of income or status.
Enrichment
Cabrillo Youth Chorus
831.824.4023
CabrilloYouthChorus.org
[email protected]
Directed by Carlin Truong, this program for ages 8–18 offers musicianship, theory, and performance opportunities with the Santa Cruz Symphony and beyond, including past Carnegie Hall performances.
Central Coast Language and Learning Center
8030 Soquel Avenue Unit 100, Santa Cruz
831.645.7900
CoastalLearning.org
CCLLC is a speech-language clinic serving all ages. Services include speech therapy and pediatric feeding therapy in English and Spanish, both in-person and virtual, with a family-centered approach.
Crescendo Dance
Capitola Mall Suite G07
[email protected]
CrescendoDance.com
Crescendo Dance offers ballet, lyrical, jazz, dance acro, stretch, and storybook dance, blending technical excellence with mental health and self-confidence development in a positive, empowering environment.
Drawn2Art Studios
19C Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos
831.661.5652
[email protected]
drawn2artclasses.com
Drawn2Art provides art classes for ages 4 to adults with a free introductory class. Lessons follow traditional techniques with various media, plus seasonal camps and flexible scheduling.
International Academy of Dance
831.466.0458
[email protected]
IADance.com |
NutcrackerSantaCruz.com
Home of Santa Cruz City Ballet, offering classical ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz for ages 2–82. Focused on artistry, technique, and joy. Hosts Nutcracker auditions and performances annually.
Jim Booth Swim School
Watsonville indoor pool & coming soon to Toadal Fitness
831.722.3500
JimBoothSwimSchool.com
Offers swim classes from parent-baby to adult beginner, including Little Otters and Aquaphobics. Warm 94-degree pools, group lessons, and upcoming non-competitive swim team for skill and confidence building.
Junebug’s Gym
3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz
831.464.2847
junebugsgym.com
Junebug’s Gym provides fun movement adventures for ages crawling–8. Programs support motor skills, confidence, and social-emotional growth. Offers classes, parties, Parents Night Out, open gyms, and camps.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St, Santa Cruz
831.429.1964
[email protected]
The MAH offers tours, curriculum guides, summer camps, and educational programs for youth and adults, plus new educational resources on surfing history and London Nelson. Student and educator discounts available.
MusicalMe, Inc. – Music Together™
Serving Santa Clara & Santa Cruz Counties
831.332.9002
Musicalme.com
Music Together classes nurture brain, language, and social development for ages birth–5 through singing, dancing, and play, fostering a lifelong love of music.
Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, Inc.
2750 B Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
831.462.0655
scgym.com
Offers preschool to competitive gymnastics programs, teaching rolls, handstands, and cartwheels while building physical, cognitive, and emotional skills in a supportive community.
Seven Directions Creative Learning Center
831.713.9392
sevendirections.org
[email protected]
Seven Directions is Santa Cruz’s premiere creative center for kids and teens! Offering instruction in various arts, sciences, and more in a lively studio with over 30 live exotic animals. We are committed to helping nurture students’ self-esteem, building lasting friendships, and empowering them as artists, learners, and creative thinkers.
Health
Alison K. Jackson, DDS – Children’s Dentistry
7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos
831.662.2900
santacruzkidsdentist.com
Provides comprehensive pediatric dentistry in a caring, preventive-focused environment with thorough evaluations and 24-hour emergency service for patients.
Dientes Community Dental Care
1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
100 Pioneer Street, Suite D, Santa Cruz
1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville
dientes.org
Non-profit dental care for children, adults, and seniors for over 30 years. Offers bilingual services, Medi-Cal acceptance, sliding scale fees, and a full range of dental treatments.
First 5 Santa Cruz County
831.465.2217
First5scc.org
Promotes healthy development for children birth to age 5, providing free Kits for New Parents and support through the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. Resources at triplep.first5scc.org and facebook.com/triplepscc.
GUiSC is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor does inclusion in this listing constitute our endorsement of a program. Listings were written by each organization and GUiSC has not confirmed the accuracy of the information provided. Please call the individual program to confirm details.
