About Santa Cruz High School
Santa Cruz High School is a comprehensive public high school with a small school feel. The student body of approximately 1,100 students represents a range of ethnicities, cultures, interests, and beliefs. Visitors frequently compliment the openness, respect and welcoming nature displayed by our students. As a comprehensive school, Santa Cruz High School strives to meet the range of needs and interests of our students. Our basic program includes a full selection of college prep classes to meet the “A-G” requirements and a rich array of classes in the fine and performing arts. We provide a strong college preparation curriculum with a range of Intensive, Honors, and AP courses. Santa Cruz High School also offers a full range of athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities such as Mock Trial and Theater.
In addition to the admirable college preparation and vocational curriculums, we also meet the needs of students with a variety of challenges. English learners have access to English Language Development classes, bilingual support in many of their academic classes, and teachers skilled at providing academic content using strategies that support limited English speakers. The needs of students with learning disabilities are met through our Resource Specialist Program including student case managers and tutorial classes, and/or our Special Day Class program that includes modified coursework in addition to the case managers. In addition, a workability specialist works with both RSP and SDC students during their junior and senior year to support a smooth transition to their post high school endeavors.
Santa Cruz High, established in 1895, is rich with history and tradition. We are part of the Santa Cruz City School District and are the only school in the area using the Excel Block Schedule. Under this model, students take three (or four) ninety-minute classes each day for eighteen weeks in the fall, and three (or four) different classes for eighteen weeks in the spring. The ninety-minute classes, which meet daily over the eighteen weeks, are equivalent to year-long classes in the more traditional two-semester system. This intensive block system, implemented at SCHS in 1995, has proven to be highly effective throughout the nation, California and here at SCHS. Santa Cruz is also fortunate to have two excellent institutions of higher learning in the immediate area: Cabrillo Community College and the University of California, Santa Cruz.
For more information about Santa Cruz High School, refer to the following links:
- School Profile: More detailed information about the school and school community, including the college prep curriculum (honors and AP courses), average SAT scores, grading systems and special programs.
- Excel Block Schedule: Additional information about the Excel Block Schedule including a discussion of the benefits available to students.
- Counseling Center/Academics: Summary of the services provided by our counseling center, with extensive links to information regarding academic planning for high school graduation, college planning and vocational preparation.
- Athletic Programs: Summary page describing our athletic programs. The Santa Cruz Cardinals participate in numerous sports each fall, winter and spring. Refer to the Sports Menus for information on each participating team.
- Math Academy: Information about the Santa Cruz High Mathematics Academy, a highly regarded accelerated math program for motivated students.
- Student Clubs: A list of students clubs at Santa Cruz High.
Also, be sure to refer to the Parents Menu for information about our parent clubs (e.g. PTA and Cardinal Club) and links to the current parent newsletter.