SCHOOLS

Acton Academy Santa Cruz

440 Frederick St at Broadway, Santa Cruz
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 Jan-June and 2026-27. Discover more at www.ActonSantaCruz.org or email [email protected].

Baymonte Christian School

Preschool; K-8th grades
5000 B Granite Creek Drive, Scotts Valley
831.438.0100
[email protected]
Website: baymonte.org
Baymonte Christian School offers a distinctively Christian and highly academic education in a loving and supportive environment. We believe in building a strong ‘today’ for a strong ‘tomorrow’. Baymonte endeavors to educate in a positive Christian setting, equipping each child spiritually, intellectually, and physically to apply a Christian worldview as they meet life’s challenges and opportunities. We value a commitment to meeting the academic needs of students in both curricular and extracurricular ways while challenging students to grow in their relationship with Christ. Baymonte is a community of grace, encouraging students to come together to uplift God’s Kingdom

Chartwell School

2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside
831.394.3468
Chartwell.org
Chartwell School (Seaside) is an independent school for grades 1–12 where students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences are known, supported, and celebrated. Founded in 1983, Chartwell embraces a strength-based approach that honors each student’s unique way of thinking while nurturing confidence, curiosity, and joy in learning. Small classes, hands-on projects, assistive technology, and strong social-emotional supports help students grow as learners and as people. Set on a beautiful 60-acre coastal campus, Chartwell prepares students to thrive in college and to step into the world with self-belief and purpose.

“My son knew he had this cool, creative mind, and that was a strength, but nobody had appreciated it before. Then, he came to Chartwell and realized this whole school is built around creativity and helping kids foster all those strengths.” ~ Chartwell parent

Chrysostom Classical Academy

7565 Sunset Way, Aptos
[email protected]
831.400.8675
ccasantacruz.com
Give your child an education rooted in timeless truth. At Chrysostom Classical Academy, we cultivate wisdom, virtue, and the joy of learning through a God-centered classical curriculum for grades TK–8. Here, students do not just absorb information—they learn to think deeply, critically, and with purpose. With daily worship, scripture, and a partnership between dedicated teachers and families, we are shaping hearts and minds for Christ. From our Aptos (Santa Cruz) campus, we are equipping young souls to navigate life’s complexities with confidence, clarity, and character. Discover an education that truly transforms. Learn more at ccasantacruz.com

Delta High School at Cabrillo College

6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos
831.477.5212
deltaschool.org
Delta serves students whose needs have not been met by a traditional school model. Through strong relationships, Delta builds a safe, inclusive, and caring academic community. Delta offers small classes, varied programs, and an engaging curriculum. Delta offers dual enrollment through Cabrillo College and career preparation through our Grad Skills. We are located on the Cabrillo College Campus next to the track, soccer fields, and Sheriff’s Station.

“Going to Delta was the greatest decision I have ever made in my life.” ~Trevor

Gateway School K-8

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz,
831.423.0341
www.gatewaysc.org
[email protected]
Gateway School provides students in grades Kindergarten through Middle School with an exemplary education. Small class sizes and programs in Art and Technology, Music, Spanish, and Life Lab Science complement an academic curriculum grounded in Social Emotional Learning. Gateway students are collaborative, creative, love learning, and become compassionate and responsible citizens. Children’s innate curiosity and sense of wonder are nurtured through exploration, discovery, and hands-on experiences. Our graduates have an inquiring spirit, are confident, and stand up for those who need help. To learn more about the difference a K-8 school model provides, visit www.gatewaysc.org and schedule a tour to experience all that Gateway has to offer!

Kirby School

425 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz
[email protected]
kirby.org
Kirby School is dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and personal growth in each student. With a legacy Kirby School demonstrates the potential of adolescents when they are trusted, respected, and joyfully engaged. With an average class size of just 12 students, every student can be met with individualized challenges, pushing them to grow and inspiring curiosity. Kirby is full of students who love to learn and lift up those around them in their desire to be successful. Success at Kirby includes academic mastery and the capacity to express and learn about themselves through arts and athletics. Our program equips students to navigate complex problems with confidence and resilience..

Moreland Notre Dame School, TK-8

133 Brennan Street, Watsonville
831-728-2051
mndschool.org
Moreland Notre Dame School is a TK through 8th grade Catholic School founded in 1899 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. We are a school community committed to providing quality academic preparedness while educating students for life. MND seeks to express the goodness of God by fostering a sense of family, a safe environment where each child is treated as sacred, justice and service to others is expected, and diversity is welcomed and celebrated. Located in the heart of Watsonville, Moreland Notre Dame has been educating students for life for over 120 years.

Mount Madonna School

Preschool-12th Grade
491 Summit Road, Mount Madonna
408.847.2717
MountMadonnaSchool.org
In their classrooms and beyond, Mount Madonna School students are part of a diverse, inspired, creative, and academically vibrant learning community. We strive to prepare well-rounded human beings for college and beyond, who value collaboration, form meaningful relationships and engage with their local communities, nation, and the world. Imagine ONE school, where your preschooler can move through to kindergarten and elementary, be part of a close-knit middle school community, and graduate from high school! Featuring Montessori-influenced preschool and kindergarten programs, environmental education, performing and visual arts, life skills, and excellent academics. Transportation available, with bus stops throughout Santa Cruz County and South Santa Clara County

“Mount Madonna School helped me raise my child to be a well-rounded, academically strong, compassionate human, while surrounding him with a community of the same.” ~
Robyn Pearson, alumni parent

Orchard School K-6

2288 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos
831.688.1074
orchardschoolaptos.org
Orchard School, established over 30 years ago, provides a unique, yet comprehensive K-6 education. At Orchard, we weave together the magic of an extraordinary faculty, a 14-acre campus and a down to earth philosophy that nourishes and honors the natural growth and development of children. Small class sizes, an organic garden and an animal farm create enriching “whole child” learning experiences that are hands-on and individualized. We provide Strong Core Academics, Lab-Based Science Curriculum, Art, Music, Physical Theater/Circus Arts, Electives, Ceramics, Archery, Swimming, Leadership, Field Trips, Drama Productions and more.

Pacific Elementary School

50 Ocean Street, Davenport
831.425.7002
pacificesd.org
Pacific Elementary School in Davenport is a public school serving ~180 students. Families throughout the county choose Pacific for our: High-Quality Preschool; Traditional TK-6 Classrooms; Independent Study Program with 3 classroom days and 2 home study days each week. Students grow, cook, study, and eat healthy food in our award-winning garden and lunch programs. We emphasize experiential learning, including hands-on science, field trips, tech and media literacy, art, music, drama, gifted and talented education, accelerated math. After school programs and city bus service to and from Santa Cruz. Culturally diverse and close-knit: SMALL SCHOOL, BIG COMMUNITY. Visit www.pacificesd.org/about-pacific-school.html

Salesian Elementary and Junior High School TK-8

605 Enos Lane, Corralitos
831.728.5518
[email protected]
salesianschool.org
For almost 50 years, Salesian Elementary and Junior High has been “Empowering Youth with Knowledge, Faith, and Love!” Located five miles from Highway 1, our beautiful hillside campus has the spirit of a home where every child feels loved. Rooted in the Catholic faith, we are a school that celebrates childhood, fosters a passion for learning, and develops moral depth through acts of service. Credentialed teachers and staff educate the whole child with a comprehensive curriculum. Our 50-acre campus also provides endless opportunities for students to learn from the natural environment. Personal tours are available! For more information: [email protected]

Santa Catalina School

Monterey
831.655.9356
[email protected]
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

Sam Rolens
[email protected]
831.419.2927
sccs.net/enroll
Santa Cruz City Schools is proud to offer alternative education programs to our community. In addition to comprehensive TK-12 programs where students are welcomed into education with a play-centric, curiosity-driven experience, we are also happy to offer an Alternative Elementary program at Monarch Community School and at the hybrid homeschool Alternative Family Education (AFE) Program. At Monarch, students in blended-age classrooms explore thematic learning with parent partnership. At AFE, families are supported by credentialed teachers to create individualized homeschool experience with daily access to in-person enrichment courses to build a cohort through your homeschool experience running from Kinder to College! learn more about all our Small Schools programs at bssc.sccs.net!

Santa Cruz Montessori

Ages 18 months – 14 years
Main Campus (Primary and Elementary)
6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Winston Campus (Young Children’s
Community and Jr. High)
244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel
831.476.1646
scms.org
Established in 1964, Santa Cruz Montessori is a non-profit school serving children 18 months to 14 years, celebrating our 60th anniversary this year! Based on a deep understanding of child through adolescent development, our programs meet the interests and needs of our students, engaging and challenging them to do their best. Our community of teachers and parents works together to support our learners and provide an engaging Montessori curriculum including humanities, math, sciences and arts. Our mission: as a Montessori learning community, we inspire life-long learning and a more peaceful world by nurturing the natural development of the whole child.

Santa Cruz Waldorf School, PreK-8

2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz
831.425.0519
[email protected]
santacruzwaldorf.org
Santa Cruz Waldorf School nurtures the whole human being in every individual, cultivating the capacity of head, heart, and hands. We offer a rich and balanced curriculum in which intellectual and artistic development are both vital and fully integrated. Specialty teachers work alongside class teachers to provide students with diverse experiences in language, movement, music, arts, games, and gardening. Our magical, rural campus is nestled in the redwoods above USCS. Our community is warm and joyful. We are committed to protecting childhood, supporting each individual, respecting nature and all life. Santa Cruz Waldorf School cultivates self-directed, empathetic, and free-thinking individuals with the courage and capacities to serve an ever-evolving humanity.

SLVUSD Charter School

325 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond
831.335.0932
charter.slvusd.org
Since 1993, San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District’s SLV Charter School has offered a range of programs that support a variety of learners. Active learning, parent involvement, and student voice are key components of our programs. In addition to supporting all academic areas, charter programs foster student creativity, social-emotional development, and the pursuit of individual student passions. Built on a foundation of strong ongoing teacher, student, and parent collaboration, SLV Charter boasts a wide variety of program structures including: Nature Academy’s 5-day week program (6-8), five 2-4 day a week homeschool-hybrid programs (TK-12), and an independent studies program (TK-12).

Tara Redwood School

PK-TK and Elementary Grades
5810 Prescott Road, Soquel
831.462.9632
[email protected]
tararedwoodschool.org
Tara Redwood School offers an education rich in the sciences, emotional intelligence,and the arts. Our global curriculum is a blend of Montessori and Creating Compassionate Cultures (CCC), a framework known as the 7 Steps to Knowledge, Strength and Compassion. CCC nurtures the children’s helpful qualities through an integrated approach to learning, along with critical thinking, mindfulness practices, and environmental exploration. This approach empowers the children to have a positive impact on themselves, others, and the world. Our classrooms extend into the outdoors on 108 acres of redwood forest and creeks of Soquel. Come and visit: [email protected]

ENRICHMENT

Drawn 2 Art Studios

19C Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos
831.661.5652
drawn2artclasses.com
[email protected]
Drawn2Art offers a “Free Introductory Art Class,” ages 4 years- Teens/Adults. The trial Class is a nice introduction into the program and the student takes home a finished picture. The program is designed to the student’s level of ability, each student works independently at their own pace/artistic level. The techniques are based in a traditional/classical approach, using different mediums/subject matter. Classes are available throughout the week and are broken up into different age groups. Seasonal Camps are offered throughout the school year. Homeschool Classes Offered. Call us at: 831.661.5652 or email us: [email protected]. Sign-Up Now and Join Us for educational fun!

Jim Booth Swim School

Santa Cruz and Watsonville
831.722.3500
Jimboothswimschool.com
Be a water wonder! Lessons for all ages! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to Aquaphobics, our adult beginner class, the whole family splashes together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree pools that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School!

Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, Inc.

2750 B Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
831.462.0655
scgym.com
At Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center our mission is to build a community of people that all support each other’s growth, learning, safety and development through our love of gymnastics and fun. From preschool to competitive programs, kids will learn skills such as rolls, handstands, and cartwheels. We also focus on age-appropriate school readiness skills such as waiting in line, sharing, taking turns, and color/number/shape recognition. We know that every child can benefit from gymnastics, physically, emotionally and cognitively so we offer something for everyone. Check out our website for more information and class registration.

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 to nurture students’ self esteem, building lasting friendships and empowering them as artists, learners and creative thinkers.