Branciforte Small Schools Campus

The Branciforte Small Schools Campus (BSSC) has been located on the old Branciforte Elementary School site (built in 1914) since the fall of 2004, and houses four schools in the Santa Cruz City School District — Alternative Family Education (AFE) Homeschool, Ark Independent Studies, Costanoa High School (created from the merger of Loma Prieta High School and the Ark daily program), and Monarch Community Elementary School. Branciforte Head Start is also located on our campus.

BSSC is a Coalition of Essential Schools campus. The Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) is at the forefront of creating and sustaining personalized, equitable, and intellectually challenging schools. Essential schools are places of powerful learning where all students have the chance to reach their fullest potential. Graduates understand and exhibit the habits that foster a lifetime of success.

Ark Independent Studies and Costanoa are accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Accrediting Commission for Schools.