Very Good
#515 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 29% of private schools
The Branson School
High School
39 FERNHILL AVE, Ross, CA 94957
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
California high schools
#104 of 277
About The Branson School
The Branson School in Ross, California serves 320 high school students in grades 9-12 with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, supported by 48 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 52nd percentile among California's high schools. The school's intimate class sizes create opportunities for personalized attention and close teacher-student relationships that can be particularly valuable during the high school years.
With fewer than seven students per teacher, students likely benefit from individualized instruction and mentorship as they prepare for college and career paths. The Branson School is situated in the affluent community of Ross, where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income exceeds $250,000. This highly educated community environment, with its low 3.7% poverty rate, suggests strong family support for education and abundant resources for student success.
The ZIP code's population of just over 2,000 residents reflects the intimate, close-knit character of this Marin County community. The school operates within Ross's large suburban setting, providing students with access to the cultural and educational opportunities of the greater Bay Area while maintaining the personal atmosphere of a smaller community school.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, The Branson School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Branson School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $87,858
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $81,011
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.92x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 80%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $77.2M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 320 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Branson School compares to the 1 public school in Ross, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Ross
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Branson School (this school) | 7.0 |
| Ross Elementary | 9.3 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
39 FERNHILL AVE, Ross, CA 94957
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Branson School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Terra Linda High (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby San Rafael), which scores notably higher. Another option is Archie Williams High (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Anselmo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MARIN ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby San Rafael), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ross, see our Ross schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Branson School Ross | 0.1 mi | — |
| St. Anselm School San Anselmo | 0.3 mi | — |
| Wade Thomas Elementary San Anselmo | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Ross Elementary Ross | 0.5 mi | 9.3 |
| CHRONOS ACADEMY San Anselmo | 1.0 mi | — |
| SAN ANSELMO MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Anselmo | 1.1 mi | — |
| OAK HILL SCHOOL San Anselmo | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| IRINE M HUNT SCHOOL OF MARIN San Anselmo | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Irene M. Hunt School / Side by Side San Anselmo | 1.2 mi | — |
| Archie Williams High San Anselmo | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Adaline E. Kent Middle Kentfield | 1.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Sun Valley Elementary San Rafael | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Brookside Elementary San Anselmo | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| MARIN ACADEMY San Rafael | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Kentfield | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES SAN RAFAEL San Rafael | 1.9 mi | — |
| Ross Valley Charter Fairfax | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Terra Linda High San Rafael | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL San Rafael | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94957 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,482/mo
Population
2,151
College Educated
82.4%
Homeownership
83.4%
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Branson School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,482/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARISE High Oakland, CA | 7.0 |
| Aspen Ridge Public Fresno, CA | 7.0 |
| Condor High Oxnard, CA | 7.0 |
| Garfield High San Diego, CA | 7.0 |
| MARY STAR OF THE SEA HIGH SCHOOL San Pedro, CA | 7.0 |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Branson School
What grades does The Branson School serve?
The Branson School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend The Branson School?
The Branson School has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Branson School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Branson School is 6.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Branson School rank in CA?
The Branson School is ranked #515 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is The Branson School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Branson School has a composite rating of 7.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is The Branson School a private school?
Yes, The Branson School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Branson School a religious school?
No, The Branson School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,804/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ross). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 320
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 172 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- MARIN
- Phone
- (415) 454-3612
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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