For families seeking quality education in Santa Cruz County, CA, the area offers 78 school options serving Elementary grade levels, including the highly-rated Happy Valley Elementary School (8/10 on GreatSchools) and Mount Madonna School (A on Niche). Local schools demonstrate strong academic achievement, with top performers reaching 87% reading proficiency. Santa Cruz County has a variety of education options, ensuring families and homebuyers can find the right fit when choosing their new city or neighborhood.