Below Average
#7475 of 9,539 schools in CA
Ark Independent Studies
High School · Santa Cruz City High
840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,475 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#23 of 25
public schools
In district
#8 of 9
Santa Cruz City High
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Ark Independent Studies?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Ark Independent Studies
High School in Santa Cruz · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Costanoa Continuation High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alternative Family Education
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ark Independent Studies
Ark Independent Studies is a public high school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Santa Cruz City High. Ark Independent Studies serves approximately 52 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 26:1 student-teacher ratio. Ark Independent Studies has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,475 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Ark Independent Studies show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 52 students, Ark Independent Studies is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Ark Independent Studies runs 26:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
42% of students at Ark Independent Studies were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ark Independent Studies — Students at Ark Independent Studies score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Ark Independent Studies Compares
See how Ark Independent Studies performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
840 North Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ark Independent Studies may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Santa Cruz High (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harbor High (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz County Community (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 0.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | — |
| HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| SPRING HILL-ADVANCED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SANTA CR Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Santa Cruz County Court Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,261
Median Home Value
$1,064,600
Median Rent
$2,291/mo
Population
36,047
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
53.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
42.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DUBNOFF CENTER FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT North Hills, CA | 4.9 |
| HARKHAM-GAON ACADEMY Los Angeles, CA | 4.9 |
| Vista High (Continuation) Escalon, CA | 4.9 |
| CLETA HARDER DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL La Habra, CA | 5.0 |
| Legacy High Ojai, CA | 5.0 |
| STELLAR PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Hayward, CA | 5.0 |
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 52
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.5%
- 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%
Resources & Links
District
Santa Cruz City High- District Enrollment
- 4,504
- Schools in District
- 9
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.