Alternative Family Education

Alternative Family Education, a tiny unified-grade school in Santa Cruz, California, operated by Santa Cruz City High, instructs 110 students, covering grades K through 12. Enrollment runs roughly 82% below the state mean of about 602.

Across the 9 schools in Santa Cruz City High (4,455 students total), Alternative Family Education accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Alternative Family Education shows that the largest single group is White at 54%, but no single group is in the majority. The remainder is composed of 23% Hispanic, 15% multiracial, 5% Asian, 4% Black.

In terms of school funding signals, The school employs 4 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 27.6:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 18.6:1, putting Alternative Family Education higher than the state norm the norm. Around 35% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. Set against Santa Cruz County (around 52%), the school's rate is south of typical.

In the broader community, Santa Cruz County reports that median household income runs about $111,093, about 44% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 6%. Alternative Family Education is one of 83 public schools in Santa Cruz County (combined enrollment of about 36,316 students).

The closest other public school is Ark Independent Studies, roughly 0.0 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Alternative Family Education operates from a metropolitan location.

Trend over the last 7 years. Alternative Family Education's enrollment has decreased 14% since 2018, when it stood at 128 (now 110). White enrollment moved from 81% to 54% across the same window. The student-to-teacher ratio rose from 26.1:1 in 2018 to 27.6:1 today.

On this page, members of the Alternative Family Education community share and discuss sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.