Below Average
#7475 of 9,539 schools in CA
Ark Independent Studies
High School · Santa Cruz City High · Santa Cruz, CA
A Santa Cruz City High high school where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Math 20% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 56% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 74.5% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Ark Independent Studies score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 12 points since 2009, to 38% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 4 years by subject
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 33% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 57% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
36.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Ark Independent Studies sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 92Walker's Paradise
- Transit 48Some Transit
- Bike 99Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety: High3,203/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Santa Cruz), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$108,261
Median home value
$1,064,600
Median rent
$2,291/mo
College educated
50.7%
Homeownership
53.6%
Poverty rate
13.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 95062; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Family EducationEnrollment path unverified | 5.8 | K–12 | 0.0 mi | 110 | Compare → |
| Costanoa Continuation HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 87 | Compare → |
| Harbor HighEnrollment path unverified | 6.9 | 9–12 | 1.2 mi | 1,040 | Compare → |
| Santa Cruz HighEnrollment path unverified | 7.9 | 9–12 | 1.3 mi | 1,104 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Santa Cruz City High
- Schools in district
- 9
- Rank in district
- #8 of 9
- District spending per student
- The source marked this value as not applicable.
- District child poverty rate
- 8.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Ark Independent Studies is listed in Santa Cruz City High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Ark Independent Studies
Ark Independent Studies is a public high school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High, serving approximately 52 students in grades 6th-12th with a 26:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,475 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Ark Independent Studies
What grades does Ark Independent Studies serve?
Ark Independent Studies serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Ark Independent Studies?
Ark Independent Studies has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ark Independent Studies?
The student-teacher ratio at Ark Independent Studies is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ark Independent Studies rank in CA?
Ark Independent Studies ranks #7,475 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Ark Independent Studies's MySchoolScout rating?
Ark Independent Studies has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ark Independent Studies?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ark Independent Studies has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Ark Independent Studies a charter school?
No, Ark Independent Studies is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ark Independent Studies a Title I school?
No, Ark Independent Studies is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ark Independent Studies?
36.5% of students at Ark Independent Studies qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 52
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.3%
- Phone
- (831) 429-3898
- 4-Year Graduation
- 74.5%
- Area population (ZIP 95062)
- 36,047
- Area average commute
- 22.6 min
- Area median age
- 42.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 95062; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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