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Email BoardArk Independent Studies
840 North Branciforte Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-1028
Summary
Ark Independent Studies is badly underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 20th percentile among comparable California schools.
Only 21.2% of students met California's reading standard, and it is quickly trending down.
Math is weaker: 5.9% of students met California's math standard, and it is quickly trending down.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 21.2% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 5.9% |
| Reading State Rank | 1,270/1,596 (20th percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 1,279/1,596 (20th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 19:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 56 |
| Low-Income Students | 23 (41.1%) |
| English Learners | 9 (16.1%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading fell 32.1 points from last year and fell 35.0 points over the full period. Math fell 7.5 points from last year and fell 14.1 points over the full period.
•Math -14.1 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White and Hispanic or Latino students have the strongest results.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
21.2% of tested students meet the reading standard in the grade shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank No. 1,270 of 1,596 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
Results for both income groups are unavailable, so a current reading gap cannot be calculated.
No reported results for 2025.
English Learners vs English Native
Results for both language groups are unavailable, so a current reading gap cannot be calculated.
No reported results for 2025.
Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White students have the strongest math results at about 12% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 0% to 0%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
5.9% of tested students meet the math standard in the grade shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank No. 1,279 of 1,596 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
Results for both income groups are unavailable, so a current math gap cannot be calculated.
No reported results for 2024, 2025.
English Learners vs English Native
Results for both language groups are unavailable, so a current math gap cannot be calculated.
No reported results for 2024, 2025.
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 876 schools for reading and 882 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California 9–12 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Ark Independent Studies compare within the district?
Ark Independent Studies is No. 5 in both reading and math proficiency among the 5 9–12 schools in Santa Cruz City High with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Ark Independent Studies rank in California?
Ark Independent Studies ranks No. 1,270 of 1,596 in reading and No. 1,279 of 1,596 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Ark Independent Studies compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 4 in both subjects among 4 9–12 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 16.7% meet the reading standard and 4.0% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Ark Independent Studies compare with other schools in Santa Cruz?
Ark Independent Studies is No. 3 in both reading and math proficiency among the 3 9–12 schools in Santa Cruz with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Santa CruzHow does Ark Independent Studies compare with other schools in Santa Cruz County?
Ark Independent Studies is No. 11 in both reading and math proficiency among the 11 9–12 schools in Santa Cruz County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Santa Cruz CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving 9–12 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Ark Independent StudiesThis school | 5.9% | 21.2% |
| Harbor High | 29.2% | 55.3% |
| Santa Cruz High | 55.6% | 72.1% |
