Best Public Schools in Zip Code 95003

This analysis covers six public schools in the Aptos, California area (zip code 95003), serving grades K-12, with a total enrollment of over 3,100 students across three elementary schools, one junior high, and two high schools within the larger Pajaro Valley Unified and Santa Cruz City High districts.

For families, the standout elementary schools are Valencia Elementary and Rio del Mar Elementary, which consistently achieve test scores above state averages; Valencia ranks in the 79th percentile statewide, while Rio del Mar excels in science and has the area's lowest chronic absenteeism. In contrast, Mar Vista Elementary and Aptos Junior High perform below state averages, with a notable drop in scores at the junior high level compared to its feeder elementary schools.

At the high school level, Aptos High boasts an exceptional 96.9% graduation rate despite recent ranking declines, while Delta Charter presents a complex profile with very low test scores and high absenteeism but still maintains a high graduation rate. Overall, school performance varies significantly, with some schools demonstrating strong outcomes despite the Pajaro Valley Unified district's low statewide ranking.