CaliforniaSchoolsArk Independent Studies

Ark Independent Studies

PublicAlternative/other
Santa Cruz, California · Santa Cruz City High
Teachers2.0FTE
Ratio26.0:1students per teacher
Students52enrolled
SCHOOL SNAPSHOT
Students52
Grade Span6–12
Student:Teacher26.0:1
Free/Reduced Lunch37%
Title INo
SectorPublic
Visit school website →
Student : Teacher
28.0:1
7.7%vs prior yrUS avg 15.4:1
Teacher FTE
2
0.0%vs prior yr
Enrollment
56
7.7%vs prior yr
Years of Data
5
2020–2024
Counselors
ASCA max 1:250
Nurses
1:950
16%vs prior yrNASN max 1:750
Psychologists
NASP max 1:500
Social Workers
1:1,520
55%vs prior yrSSWAA max 1:250
Trends & 5-year history below

Pupil : Teacher Ratio — 5-Year Trend

10.6:124.6:138.7:152.7:166.8:180.8:12020202120222023202476.0:143.0:123.5:126.0:128.0:1Ark Independent StudiesUS public-school avg

Enrollment & Teacher FTE

44536271808911122220202021202220232024768647525612222EnrollmentTeacher FTE

Year-by-year workforce

Metric20202021202220232024Nat Avg
Enrollment7686475256
Teacher FTE12222
Pupil : Teacher ratio76.0:143.0:123.5:126.0:128.0:115.4:1

What These Numbers Mean

Teacher FTE

Full-Time Equivalent counts part-time teachers proportionally. One full-time teacher = 1.0 FTE; two half-time teachers also = 1.0 FTE. This is the standard federal reporting unit.

Pupil : Teacher ratio

NCES-reported ratio divides total enrollment by teacher FTE. It is NOT the same as average class size — schools with specialists, coaches, and resource teachers will show lower ratios than typical class sizes.

How to read the trend

A falling pupil:teacher ratio (line going down) means more staffing per student — generally a positive signal. A rising line can indicate budget pressure or fast enrollment growth outpacing hiring. Always compare to the US average (dashed grey).

Historical data spans 20202024 from NCES CCD.

Student Support & Wellbeing

Non-teaching staff who support student mental health, physical health, and behavioural needs. Lower pupil-to-staff ratios mean more one-on-one access.

Counselors & Social Workers — staff to pupils (recommended 1:250)

1:01:3281:6571:9851:1,3131:1,6422015201720201:8171:9801:1,520Counselor : PupilsSocial Worker : PupilsRecommended 1:250

Nurses & Psychologists — staff to pupils

1:01:2051:4101:6161:8211:1,0262015201720201:6131:8171:9501:4901:132Nurse : PupilsNASN 1:750Psychologist : PupilsNASP 1:500

Support staffing & ratios — year by year

Metric201520172020Nat Avg
Counselors (FTE)000
Nurses (FTE)0.10.10.1
Psychologists (FTE)0.10.40
Social Workers (FTE)0.10.10.1
Counselor : Pupils1:250
Nurse : Pupils1:6131:8171:9501:750
Psychologist : Pupils1:4901:1321:500
Social Worker : Pupils1:8171:9801:1,5201:250

Why these ratios matter

Counselors (ASCA 250:1)

School counselors support academic planning, college & career readiness, and social-emotional wellbeing. The American School Counselor Association recommends no more than 250 students per counselor.

Nurses (NASN 750:1)

School nurses manage chronic conditions, medications, immunisations, and emergencies. The National Association of School Nurses recommends at least 1 full-time nurse per 750 students (more for high-need populations).

Psychologists (NASP 500:1)

School psychologists assess learning & behavioural needs, run mental-health interventions, and coordinate special-education services. NASP recommends 500:1 or lower.

Social workers (SSWAA 250:1)

School social workers bridge home-school relationships, address attendance & trauma, and connect families to community resources. SSWAA recommends 250:1.

Source: US Dept of Education CRDC (20152020) — Civil Rights Data Collection.