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General Agency Information |
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| Name: | Branciforte Small Schools Campus |
| Alternate Name(s): |
Alternative Family Education ARK Independent Study Costanoa Monarch |
| Address: |
840 North Branciforte Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Driving Directions |
Contact Information |
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| Primary Phone: | 831-429-3898 |
| Fax: | 831-429-3912 |
| Website: | http://sccsbssc.ss8.sharpschool.com/ |
Details |
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| Description: | 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. ELIGIBILITY: Santa Cruz County school age children and teens |
| Mission: | The mission of the Branciforte Small Schools is to create and sustain alternatives to traditional public school models where childhood and adolescence are celebrated, children and youth feel connected and respected, and each individual works toward his or her personal best academically, emotionally, socially, artistically, and culturally. We work together to develop a rich learning environment spanning home, school, and the greater community. We create a safe, caring, developmentally appropriate learning experience in which students are constructing their own knowledge connected to their real lives and building upon their prior experiences. We provide hands-on, relevant experiences. We value and promote multi-age and cross-cultural groupings. Students are engaged in purposeful learning in which they have ownership and responsibility, a balance of choice and direction, experience and practice. |
| Programs: | "Alternative Family Education (AFE) is an independent home study school provided for kindergarten through twelfth grade students and families who prefer an individualized approach to education, combined with the support of school district resources. Ark Independent Studies is a fully accredited public alternative high school; a school of choice offered through the Santa Cruz City School District. Students come to the Ark for a seminar and an advisory every other week, as well as for individual meetings with their teachers on alternate weeks. During that time, students are given specific assignments, and course work is corrected and evaluated. Students meet in very small groups with their teachers to receive small group instruction, as well as tutorial help and academic and career counseling. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 20 hours each week completing their assignments at home, in addition to attending their seminar classes at the Ark. Assignments are tailored to fit the individual student's interests and learning style. The program is available to self-disciplined and motivated students in grades 9-12 who are working toward a high school diploma. Costanoa High School: Costanoa students benefit from small class sizes and strong relationships with staff members. We focus on developing the following habits: ""Use your mind well. Do the right thing. Work hard."" Costanoa has a diverse student population that includes 100 students in grades 10-12. Curricular offerings include English Language Development and special interest courses like garden science, careers, ceramics, and weight training. Monarch Community Elementary Monarch is an alternative K-5 elementary school. The families of the 150 students are expected to participate in school-related activities, in and outside of the classroom, thus providing opportunities for the staff and families to work together to implement a shared educational philosophy. Students learn in a multi-age, caring, hands-on, and developmentally appropriate environment with a theme-based curriculum that is connected to students' lives and builds upon prior knowledge and experiences." |
| Facilities: | 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. |
| Volunteer Info: | All four schools are excited to welcome volunteers. |
| Languages other than English: | Spanish |
| Accommodations for Disabled Persons: | Call for Information |
| Public Transportation: | Available Within One Block |
| Eligibility: | See Description Notes |
| Fees: | Donations Accepted |
| Areas Served: | Santa Cruz County |
Officials/Contact Persons |
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| Officials: |
Lysa Tabachnick Co-Principal 831-429-3898Ext: 228 ltabachnick@sccs.santacruz.k12.ca.us Steve Hambright Co-Principal 831-429-3898Ext: 229 shambright@sccs.santacruz.k12.ca.us |
Subject Headings |
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| Subject Headings: |
Alternative Education Alternative Schools Home Schooled Students Home Schooling Public Schools |
| This agency was last updated on November 17, 2020. | |