Ark Independent Studies (Ranked Top 30% for 2025-26)

Q: What is Ark Independent Studies's ranking?

Ark Independent Studies is ranked #2841 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in California.

Q: What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

21-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 60-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).

Q: What is the graduation rate of Ark Independent Studies?

The graduation rate of Ark Independent Studies is 80%, which is lower than the California state average of 87%.

Q: How many students attend Ark Independent Studies?

52 students attend Ark Independent Studies.

Q: What is the racial composition of the student body?

46% of Ark Independent Studies students are White, 44% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Black.

Q: What is the student-teacher ratio of Ark Independent Studies?

Ark Independent Studies has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.

Q: What grades does Ark Independent Studies offer ?

Ark Independent Studies offers enrollment in grades 6-12

Q: What school district is Ark Independent Studies part of?

Ark Independent Studies is part of Santa Cruz City High School District.

Home > California > Santa Cruz County > Santa Cruz

Ark Independent Studies

840 North Branciforte Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Top 30%

Tel: (831) 429-3898

SAVE SCHOOL

Serving 52 students in grades 6-12, Ark Independent Studies ranks in the top 30% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 21-39% (which is approximately equal to the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving is 60-79% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).

The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.

Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

School Type: Alternative school
Grades: 6-12
Enrollment: 52 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Minority Enrollment: 54%
: ≥80% (Btm 50% in CA)
: Top 30%
: 21-39% (Top 50%)
: 60-79% (Top 20%)
: <50% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Ark Independent Studies ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

Ark Independent Studies's student population of 52 students has declined by 10% over five school years.

The teacher population of 2 teachers has declined by 33% over five school years.

School Type

Alternative school

Grades Offered

Grades 6-12

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Ark Independent Studies
9	6
10	9
11	14
12	23

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Total Students

52 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies
2023	47
2022	86
2021	76
2020	58
2019	58
2018	60
2017	60
2016	51
2015	60
2014	83
2013	76
2012	55
2011	70
2010	67
2009	89
2008	82
2007	125
2006	74
2005	123
2004	169
2003	146
2002	162
2001	171
2000	183
1999	231
1998	246
1997	306
1996	301
1995	232
1994	219
1993	174
1992	206
1991	181
1990	183
1989	157
1988	160
1987	180

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

2 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies
2023	2
2022	3
2021	1
2020	3
2019	3
2018	3
2017	3
2016	3
2015	3
2014	2
2013	2
2012	3
2010	3
2009	3
2008	4
2007	4
2006	5
2005	5
2004	7
2003	8
2002	9
2001	9
2000	11
1999	11
1998	13
1997	16
1996	9
1995	10
1994	11
1993	8
1992	8
1991	8
1990	8

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School Calendar

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

School Rankings

Ark Independent Studies ranks within the top 30% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Ark Independent Studies is 0.59, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (CA)

#2841 out of 9523 schools
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2010-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies
2023	#2841
2022	#3811
2012	#5827
2011	#5627
2010	#5042

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21-39%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	30%	34%	36%
2022	20%	33%	36%
2012	50%	59%	60%
2011	50%	58%	59%
2010	50%	56%	58%

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60-79%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2022)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2022	69%	47%	58%
2012	50%	58%	66%
2011	50%	56%	65%
2010	50%	54%	67%

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<50%

29%

Student-Teacher Ratio

26:1

21:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	24:1	22:1	20:1
2022	29:1	21:1	20:1
2020	19:1	23:1	23:1
2019	19:1	23:1	23:1
2018	20:1	23:1	24:1
2017	20:1	23:1	24:1
2016	17:1	24:1	24:1
2015	20:1	24:1	24:1
2014	35:1	24:1	24:1
2013	33:1	24:1	25:1
2012	20:1	23:1	24:1
2010	22:1	21:1	25:1
2009	28:1	20:1	23:1
2008	20:1	18:1	17:1
2007	31:1	21:1	24:1
2006	15:1	20:1	23:1
2005	25:1	21:1	25:1
2004	24:1	21:1	26:1
2003	18:1	20:1	25:1
2002	18:1	20:1	23:1
2001	19:1	20:1	24:1
2000	17:1	21:1	24:1
1999	21:1	21:1	25:1
1998	20:1	21:1	23:1
1997	20:1	23:1	25:1
1996	34:1	25:1	25:1
1995	23:1	25:1	24:1
1994	21:1	25:1	23:1
1993	21:1	25:1	23:1
1992	26:1	24:1	23:1
1991	23:1	24:1	23:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	4%	1%
2022	2%	1%
2018	1%	1%
2017	1%	1%
2015	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%	1%
2012	2%	1%	1%
2006	1%	1%
2004	3%	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%	2%
2002	1%	2%	2%
2000	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%	1%
1997	2%	1%	1%
1996	2%	1%	1%
1995	3%	1%	1%
1994	3%	1%	1%
1993	2%	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%

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Asian

n/a

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2022)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2022	1%	12%	4%
2018	1%	11%	4%
2017	1%	11%	4%
2015	3%	11%	4%
2014	2%	11%	3%
2013	3%	11%	3%
2010	2%	11%	5%
2009	1%	11%	5%
2008	3%	12%	6%
2007	7%	12%	7%
2006	6%	12%	5%
2005	3%	12%	6%
2004	3%	12%	6%
2003	2%	11%	5%
2002	1%	11%	5%
2001	3%	11%	5%
2000	1%	11%	5%
1999	3%	11%	5%
1998	3%	11%	5%
1997	2%	11%	5%
1996	2%	11%	5%
1995	1%	11%	5%
1994	1%	11%	4%
1993	1%	11%	4%
1992	2%	11%	3%
1991	2%	11%	3%
1990	1%	10%	3%
1989	1%	10%	4%

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Hispanic

44%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	41%	55%	40%
2022	44%	56%	39%
2021	34%	56%	38%
2020	40%	55%	38%
2019	40%	55%	38%
2018	42%	54%	38%
2017	42%	54%	38%
2016	50%	54%	38%
2015	36%	54%	38%
2014	36%	53%	37%
2013	32%	53%	36%
2012	27%	52%	34%
2011	33%	51%	33%
2010	28%	50%	30%
2009	30%	49%	28%
2008	35%	50%	29%
2007	26%	49%	27%
2006	37%	48%	27%
2005	25%	47%	25%
2004	14%	46%	24%
2003	20%	45%	21%
2002	16%	44%	20%
2001	13%	43%	19%
2000	15%	42%	17%
1999	17%	41%	17%
1998	23%	40%	17%
1997	25%	40%	18%
1996	18%	39%	18%
1995	25%	38%	18%
1994	21%	37%	17%
1993	28%	36%	16%
1992	15%	35%	15%
1991	15%	34%	14%

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Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2022)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2022	5%	5%	2%
2021	4%	5%	2%
2018	1%	6%	1%
2017	1%	6%	1%
2016	1%	6%	1%
2015	1%	6%	1%
2014	2%	6%	2%
2013	4%	6%	2%
2012	2%	6%	2%
2011	3%	7%	2%
2009	1%	7%	2%
2008	1%	8%	2%
2007	2%	8%	3%
2006	3%	8%	1%
2005	5%	8%	3%
2004	4%	8%	3%
2003	1%	8%	3%
2002	1%	8%	3%
2001	5%	8%	3%
2000	4%	9%	3%
1999	3%	9%	3%
1998	4%	9%	3%
1997	3%	9%	3%
1996	3%	9%	3%
1995	3%	9%	3%
1994	1%	9%	3%
1992	4%	9%	2%
1991	3%	9%	3%
1990	2%	9%	3%
1989	6%	9%	2%
1988	4%	9%	3%

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White

46%

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	51%	21%	49%
2022	41%	21%	49%
2021	55%	22%	51%
2020	55%	23%	50%
2019	55%	23%	50%
2018	51%	24%	53%
2017	51%	24%	53%
2016	42%	24%	53%
2015	56%	24%	53%
2014	53%	25%	53%
2013	57%	25%	54%
2012	69%	26%	56%
2011	64%	27%	58%
2010	66%	27%	61%
2009	62%	28%	58%
2008	61%	29%	63%
2007	65%	29%	61%
2006	98%	31%	67%
2005	67%	31%	65%
2004	76%	32%	65%
2003	75%	34%	69%
2002	79%	35%	70%
2001	79%	36%	72%
2000	79%	37%	75%
1999	77%	38%	74%
1998	69%	39%	74%
1997	68%	39%	73%
1996	75%	40%	73%
1995	68%	41%	73%
1994	74%	42%	75%
1993	69%	43%	77%
1992	79%	44%	79%
1991	79%	45%	79%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	4%	6%	6%
2022	7%	5%	6%
2021	4%	5%	4%
2020	5%	4%	7%
2019	5%	4%	7%
2018	4%	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%	4%
2016	7%	4%	4%
2015	3%	3%	4%
2014	6%	3%	4%
2013	4%	3%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.59

0.63

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	0.57	0.64	0.60
2022	0.64	0.63	0.60
2021	0.58	0.62	0.59
2020	0.54	0.63	0.60
2019	0.54	0.63	0.60
2018	0.57	0.64	0.58
2017	0.57	0.64	0.58
2016	0.57	0.64	0.57
2015	0.56	0.64	0.57
2014	0.59	0.65	0.58
2013	0.58	0.65	0.58
2012	0.45	0.65	0.58
2011	0.49	0.67	0.56
2010	0.49	0.67	0.54
2009	0.53	0.71	0.59
2008	0.51	0.65	0.52
2007	0.52	0.67	0.54
2006	0.32	0.66	0.51
2005	0.51	0.67	0.52
2004	0.42	0.67	0.50
2003	0.40	0.67	0.47
2002	0.35	0.67	0.46
2001	0.36	0.67	0.45
2000	0.35	0.67	0.41
1999	0.38	0.67	0.41
1998	0.47	0.67	0.42
1997	0.48	0.67	0.43
1996	0.41	0.67	0.44
1995	0.47	0.67	0.42
1994	0.41	0.67	0.41
1993	0.45	0.67	0.38
1992	0.35	0.67	0.36
1991	0.35	0.67	0.34

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≥80%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	80%	87%	92%
2022	84%	87%	94%
2021	74%	84%	92%
2020	74%	85%	92%
2019	74%	84%	89%
2018	84%	84%	90%
2017	64%	83%	90%
2016	84%	83%	93%
2015	90%	89%	90%
2014	84%	88%	92%
2013	64%	87%	90%

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Eligible for

37%

54%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2023	43%	51%	30%
2022	36%	51%	26%
2021	36%	53%	31%
2020	43%	52%	32%
2019	43%	52%	32%
2018	41%	49%	30%
2017	41%	49%	30%
2016	49%	50%	31%
2015	30%	50%	33%
2014	19%	49%	28%
2013	18%	48%	27%
2011	16%	46%	29%
2010	13%	46%	23%
2009	10%	43%	20%
2008	23%	41%	23%
2007	15%	40%	22%
2006	23%	40%	21%
2005	9%	40%	16%
2004	20%	40%	13%
2003	18%	39%	11%
2002	11%	39%	9%
2001	14%	39%	9%
2000	20%	40%	10%
1999	19%	40%	9%
1998	24%	47%	13%
1997	22%	47%	13%
1996	22%	46%	13%
1995	41%	45%	14%
1994	33%	43%	15%
1993	50%	41%	15%
1992	27%	38%	12%

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Eligible for (21-22)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2022)
Year	Ark Independent Studies	California	Santa Cruz City High School District
2022	3%	7%	3%
2020	5%	7%	6%
2019	5%	7%	6%
2018	1%	9%	7%
2017	1%	9%	7%
2016	5%	9%	7%
2015	10%	9%	6%
2014	6%	9%	8%
2013	1%	7%	6%
2010	1%	9%	6%
2009	2%	10%	5%
2008	2%	10%	5%
2007	1%	10%	4%
2006	1%	9%	3%
2004	6%	9%	4%
2003	7%	9%	3%
2002	4%	8%	3%
2001	12%	8%	3%
2000	10%	7%	3%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Santa Cruz City High School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ark Independent Studies's ranking?

Ark Independent Studies is ranked #2841 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in California.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

21-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 60-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).

What is the graduation rate of Ark Independent Studies?

The graduation rate of Ark Independent Studies is 80%, which is lower than the California state average of 87%.

How many students attend Ark Independent Studies?

52 students attend Ark Independent Studies.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

46% of Ark Independent Studies students are White, 44% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Black.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Ark Independent Studies?

Ark Independent Studies has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.

What grades does Ark Independent Studies offer ?

Ark Independent Studies offers enrollment in grades 6-12

What school district is Ark Independent Studies part of?

Ark Independent Studies is part of Santa Cruz City High School District.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

School Type: Alternative school
Grades: 6-12
Enrollment: 52 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Minority Enrollment: 54%
: ≥80% (Btm 50%)
: Top 30%
: 21-39% (Top 50%)
: 60-79% (Top 20%)
: <50% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education