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Pacific Collegiate School is a public charter school open to all students in grades 7 to 12, Students thrive here as they prepare for college through our exemplary academics and arts programs. Our small class sizes and dedicated teachers ensure that every student gets individualized support, empowering them for academic success. We prioritize equity and inclusion in our program design, close equity gaps, and celebrate diversity. Recognized for excellence, PCS consistently ranks among California and the nation's top public schools.

  • US News & World Report ranked PCS #1 High School in Santa Cruz, #9 in California, #82 high school and #18 charter school in the U.S. in 2023
  • Designated a California distinguished School in 2021 by the California Department of Education
  • Graded A+ and ranked #1 in Best Public High Schools in Santa Cruz County in 2023 by Niche
  • Awarded College Board’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award in 2019
Badge Best High School GoldWPwidget EmblemGold RibbonBest-of-GUiSC-Runner-Up-2023



School Profile

At a Glance

18

18

Average class size

1:14

1:14

faculty to student ratio

560

560

students

37%

37%

BIPOC students

7

7

avg. AP classes/student

100%

100%

graduation rate

100%

100%

graduates accepted into college

4

4

world languages

8

8

sports

32

32

arts offerings

46

46

clubs

5+

5+

affinity groups

Admissions

We have open enrollment for any student in grades 7 to 12. Students are admitted through an annual lottery. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, and our school is tuition-free. Families choose PCS because our school's excellent teachers inspire deep learning and our rigorous curriculum ensures that every graduate is ready for college and beyond.

How to Apply