There are several different educational alternatives available in Aptos. Local residents are served by the two-year community college Cabrillo College. Three public elementary schools—Valencia Elementary, Rio Del Mar Elementary, and Mar Vista Elementary—serve the neighborhood. In addition, Aptos Junior High School and Aptos High School are the only junior high and high schools in the area. In order to meet different learning needs, the educational landscape also contains private institutions including Santa Cruz Montessori School, Orchard School, and Twin Lakes Christian School. The private school Aptos Academy, which served children from preschool through eighth grade, closed its doors in 2013.