Tierra Pacifica Charter School in Santa Cruz

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	7/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	6/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: December 6, 2025

Weve had a wonderful experience at TPCS. The community is warm and welcoming, the teachers are dedicated and caring, and the curriculum is engaging. Nature Fridays for the younger grades are a particularly special part of the program. We love how TPCS inspires creativity and curiosity in learning. Family involvement is expected and truly enhances the schools unique strengths. The schools size supports a strong sense of community, and they do an excellent job fostering the social-emotional development of the students. Its a great place to be a kid and to learn about the world around them.

Posted: December 6, 2025

Posted: April 25, 2025

I went to this school for many years and honestly it was a horrible experience. When I was younger there were teachers that were nice and actually put effort into there teaching but as I got older all of these teachers left and the school got worse and worse. I just heard that one of the best teachers that they have just got asked to not come back the next year. Most of there teachers that are there now are lazy and don't put effort into there teaching and if students are acting out they don't help them they just send them to the office and email there parents. In my honest opinion this school should shut down and students should find a different school.

Posted: August 29, 2024

Our family has been a part of this community for the past seven years and we have all grown and changed in such positive ways through the years.

Posted: August 29, 2024

If you want a whole community to scoop up your kid, this is the school for you. If you want to be involved in your kids education, and volunteer in the classroom this is the school for you. The staff and teachers are so dedicated at this school, and many send, or have sent their kids to the school. There is a lot of T.A. support in each class room as well. My kid is so happy at this school and wakes up every day excited to go to school. He especially loves nature Fridays.

Posted: August 29, 2024

This school strives to be inclusive, academically competitive, socially and environmentally responsible, and provide a space for growth and development for all students and parents.

Posted: August 29, 2024

Very welcoming school and really encourages parents to participate and be part of the change you want to see. Personally we were really worried about keeping our kids covid safe, but we have never been judged for wearing masks and air filter donations have been heartily accepted.

Posted: August 29, 2024

We have been at TPCS for 7 years. We have had a wonderful experience.

Posted: August 29, 2024

We adore TP. The community isnt like any other.

Posted: August 29, 2024

My child is happy and wants to be at school. I think that sums it up! Parent engagement is meaningful. This is a public charter school - you do need to enter a lottery.

Posted: August 29, 2024

Tierra Pacifica is an extraordinary school. Small classes, dedicated staff, highly involved parents.

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: January 21, 2024

This school has been wonderful for my child. After experiencing a lot of social difficulties at a larger school in the district, we transferred here and are so glad we did. My child now likes going to school, a welcome change. For kids who are highly sensitive and easily overwhelmed by larger school environments, this is the perfect place. A caring community of parents is another big plus.

Posted: January 21, 2024

Posted: October 4, 2023

This school's focus is DEI and LGBTQ+. Academics is secondary, if that. If your child or someone in your family is LGBTQ+, this is the perfect school for your child(ren). They will be affirmed, celebrated and worshipped, and the rainbow flag and BLM flag are prominently represented. Your child will be told in kindergarten (or earlier) that when a baby is born, the doctor takes their best guess as to whether the baby is a boy or girl, and that sometimes the doctor guesses wrong. They'll also be told at a young age that boys can magically change into girls, and vice versa, and that someone can be neither a boy nor a girl. They will also be taught that white people are bad and should be ashamed of their whiteness. The teacher may apologize to the class for being white themselves.
If this does not align with your family or cultural values, you have no way of opting out of any of this.

Posted: October 4, 2023

Posted: April 27, 2023

Tierra Pacifica would be a wonderful school if you were one of the lucky ones to win a spot for your child in kindergarten. but it can also be lacking greatly depending on the class/teacher & transferring in to the school later can be hazardous as social cliques are strong and unyielding ...this isn't discussed as much as it should be. In some classes bullying is extreme, it goes under the radar or is ignored. Kids are given a pass because it's just how they've always been, you just have to get used to it. When help finally arrives it's much to late, the damage is done and the consequences are sorely lacking.
Teacher turn over is insane, classroom management was like nothing we'd seen before...AWFUL. Students are very disrespectful to teachers and each other.
I'd urge anyone to take a deeper look at this school, it gets rave reviews and seems utterly perfect in all aspects until you dig a little deeper. If I was thinking about this school I would ask to shadow for a day and check out far more than the classroom your child would be in.

Posted: February 1, 2022

The school has failed on multiple attempts in regards to children with neurodiversity. The teachers have no training in neurodiversity and there is a lack of resources, empathy and understanding. Their approach to handling neurodiversity and related behavioral challenges is punitive in nature - taking away recess time, not allowing nature days, student being isolated from the class, a strong focus on the Child's weaknesses rather than their strengths. The school does a poor job teaching other children about having empathy and transparency for understanding children with learning differences. The school does not provide context or reasoning to other classmates or parents when communicating the impact of neurodiversity. We would not recommend this school. They have a high emphasis of teaching DEI, which is fantastic, but have no teachers representing the DEI community and the hours, donations requested and the required volunteer parent support makes this school very challenging for parents of working parents or socioeconomic differences.

Posted: February 1, 2022

Posted: December 7, 2012

This is not an academic school. If you live in the Live Oak school district, and are trying to escape from the low-performing schools in the district -- it's an alternative. If you really want your children to go to a good school, you should move out of Live Oak. This is not a good school.

Posted: March 10, 2012

My child has been attending this wonderful, small, public charter school since kindergarten, and she has always thrived here since the onset. This school is unique in that there are three series of electives taught each year, and often parents and even older students teach these electives, giving all students an opportunity to learn beyond the 3 "Rs". The electives as well as volunteering in the classroom, helping out on field trips etc. promote community building amongst the families whose children attend this school. There is a curriculum focus on social justice and environmental stewardship where students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in hands-on activites such as attending a beach clean-up day etc. School meetings are always well-attended demonstrating high parent involvement with their children's education. All in all, Tierra Pacifica Charter School is an excellent school for a child, and his/her family, to attend for its ability to promote learning as well as life skills such as independence, perseverence, flexibility, hard-work, curiosity, social awareness etc. My child and I are very grateful for the outstanding experience she has received at this school.

Posted: April 30, 2011

Tierra Pacifica is a very good school. The principal is very passionate, and her passion is contagious. My kids rarely want to miss a day of school because they enjoy it so much. The school can be a little relaxed on the academics at times, which can present a challenge for students who are not self motivated. However, there are two teachers for every class of 23 students, which is a plus.

Posted: May 9, 2010

The curriculum is wonderful. Very passionate staff that truly care about every student.

Posted: April 29, 2010

Tierra Pacifica Charter School is an amazing school that develops children's academic excellence, emotional intelligence and physical well being. Lesson material is integrated to every kind of learner with lots of hands on practical application. Life skills such as nutritional awareness, environmental stewardship and social contribution are practiced daily.

Posted: April 27, 2010

Tierra Pacifica is a school where every child and family is valued. Everyone is encouraged to participate and contribute their unique gifts to the community. Conflict resolution is a life skill that every student is taught.

Posted: April 25, 2010

TPCS is an inclusive school that teaches to the whole child. The students learn about community and taking care of the environment.

Posted: April 25, 2010

nice my kids have learned so much. they do a lot of hands on.

Posted: April 25, 2010

I love this school because the teachers are exceptional. Each and every teacher and T.A. at our school is highly skilled and inspired. They are the strength and backbone of our school. They engage our kids and create an environment where they look forward to coming to school.

Posted: April 25, 2010

Tierra Pacifica is an AMAZING school!! It has a very inspired and dedicated group of teachers, support staff and parents. The students are not force fed what is going to be on the STAR test, rather they are given a very well rounded curriculum INCLUDING art, music and science. In turn they are kept totally captivated by what is going on and retain the information they are experiencing. We love our school and are so thankful and proud to be a part of it.

Posted: April 25, 2010

Tierra Pacifica is a school that supports and honors each student as an individual and as an important part of a community. The environment encourages each student to realize their own path and respect those of others-celebrating the differences. When a child is struggling there is a 'village meeting' that consists of caring individuals including parents, principal, teachers and counselor. They establish a plan of action and the child feels supported rather than labeled and punished. Parent participation is the norm and is the lifeblood of the school. It doesn't feel like an institution, rather like a cocoon in which our kids are safely preparing their wings to fly. I love this school and I only wish that all children and parents could be part of such a wonderful experience.

Posted: April 25, 2010

TPCS is a 'village school' where everyone - parents, grandparents, and friends - participates and every child is valued. We are a school community that's part of a larger community, and we recognize our interconnectedness as an asset.

Posted: April 25, 2010

My granddaughter is a student in this school, where she gets special help in reading, a problem area for her. She is improving!

Posted: April 25, 2010

Tierra Pacifica is a school where each child is known. There is acceptance and nurturing of the individuality of each child. The students flourish in this school / community.

Posted: April 24, 2010

My 5th grade daughter has attended this school since kindergarten, and she loves her school, so I believe we must be doing something right. Actually, parent involvement is huge (and mandatory) at this small, charter, public school, and studies show that high parent participation is an important factor in successful learning for the students. The values that are promoted at TPCS include environmental stewardship, economic education through students' small business enterprises, whole child development through various and ever changing choice of electives that are designed and taught by either parents, students themselves, or community members etc. Despite being a small school, art, music and PE are included in the curriculum, as well as being often the focus of the ever changing electives. The small school setting may be a bit insulating, but I know that my child feels safe and secure within her school environment. Adult members of this school community are very supportive of each other, and lifetime learning is promoted through offering classes in positive parenting and non-violent education as well as support groups to assist in creating prosperity and abundance. All in all TPCS is an interesting and eclectic example of how we can educate our children, and I feel blessed that we found this school, or rather that this school was founded by parents who took it upon themselves to create an learning environment based on their understanding and ideals of how to educate the whole child.

Posted: April 12, 2010

Amazing teachers, staff, parents and children creating an acedemically enriched, non-violent, arts-infused school that practices environmental sustainability and teaching to the whole child.

Posted: October 26, 2008

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Monterey	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Monterey	CA	26 mi
2	Seaside Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Seaside	CA	26.2 mi
3	Fitch Park at Ord Military Community	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Seaside	CA	26.2 mi
4	Pebble Beach	Area of Town	Del Monte Forest	CA	26.6 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Pacific Grove	Pacific Grove	CA	25.5 mi
2	Cannery Row	Monterey	CA	25.9 mi
3	17-Mile Drive	Pebble Beach	CA	25.9 mi
4	Seaside Highlands	Seaside	CA	26.1 mi
5	Monterey Bay	Monterey	CA	26.9 mi
6	Monterey	Monterey	CA	27.1 mi
7	Carmel	Carmel-By-The-Sea	CA	29.7 mi

Base	Distance
DLI - Presidio of Monterey	26.4 mi.
Monterey Naval Postgraduate School	27.3 mi.
Moffett Field	30.2 mi.
Coast Guard San Francisco	50 mi.

Tierra Pacifica Charter School

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Tierra Pacifica Charter School

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.