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Email BoardSanta Cruz Gardens Elementary
8005 Winkle Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95065-1149
Summary
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 58th percentile among comparable California schools.
51.5% of students met California's reading standard, and it is quickly trending up.
Math is weaker: 40.2% of students met California's math standard, and it is trending down.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 51.5% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 40.2% |
| Reading State Rank | 1,732/4,657 (63rd percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 2,179/4,657 (53rd percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 18:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 214 |
| Low-Income Students | 65 (30.7%) |
| English Learners | 27 (12.7%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading rose 2.1 points from last year and rose 11.1 points over the full period. Math rose 4.3 points from last year and fell 6.2 points over the full period.
•Math -6.2 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White and Hispanic or Latino students have the strongest results.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 43.8% to 57.7% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank in the top 38% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 34.1-point reading income gap is wider than the 19.8-point gap at a typical California K–5 school. It widened slightly over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
Results for both language groups are unavailable, so a current reading gap cannot be calculated.
Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White students have the strongest math results at about 50% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 22% to 22%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 34.4% to 47.5% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank in the top 47% among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 25.7-point math income gap is wider than the 20.0-point gap at a typical California K–5 school. It narrowed over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
Results for both language groups are unavailable, so a current math gap cannot be calculated.
Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 1,832 schools for reading and 1,839 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California K–5 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary compare within the district?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is No. 2 in both reading and math proficiency among the 3 K–5 schools in Soquel Union Elementary with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary rank in California?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary ranks No. 1,732 of 4,657 in reading and No. 2,179 of 4,657 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 3 in both subjects among 3 K–5 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 29.4% meet the reading standard and 23.5% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary compare with other schools in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is No. 5 in reading and No. 9 in math proficiency among the 10 K–5 schools in Santa Cruz with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Santa CruzHow does Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary compare with other schools in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is No. 8 in reading and No. 13 in math proficiency among the 26 K–5 schools in Santa Cruz County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Santa Cruz CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving K–5 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Gardens ElementaryThis school | 40.2% | 51.5% |
| Main Street Elementary | 50.0% | 60.2% |
| Soquel Elementary | 35.9% | 44.4% |
