Kirby School Photo #11 - Commute with ease. Kirby offers daily shuttle service to and from Aptos and Los Gatos-making it easier for students from across the region to be part of our community.

Kirby School

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Kirby School Photo #1 - At Kirby, classes average 12 students, creating space for real connection and individualized challenge.
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Kirby School Photo #1 - At Kirby, classes average 12 students, creating space for real connection and individualized challenge.
Kirby School Photo #2 - Kirby's campus includes a recreation area, sport court, amphitheater, and outdoor spaces for learning, gathering, and connection.
Kirby School Photo #3 - Kirby students stand out for how they think, lead, and grow-and colleges take notice.
Kirby School Photo #4 - Our competitive and inclusive sports program enables students to try new activities and compete at the highest level possible. (Featured: HS Girls Basketball League Champions and CCS Quarterfinalists).
Kirby School Photo #5 - Education at Kirby is both expansive and grounded. Students explore the world around them while anchoring their experiences in thoughtful, classroom-based inquiry.
Kirby School Photo #6 - Belonging fuels learning. From day one, Kirby students are welcomed into a community where empathy, understanding, and connection are part of daily life.
Kirby School Photo #7 - Kirby's Intensive Paths allow students to explore a subject in depth with the support of a dedicated faculty advisor.
Kirby School Photo #8 - Hands-on learning deepens understanding. In sixth grade STEAM, students build and test their own ROVs: applying design, problem-solving, and teamwork in real time.
Kirby School Photo #9 - In Spain and Italy, classroom learning became lived experience. For two weeks, students practiced their language skills with confidence, curiosity, and connection.
Kirby School Photo #10 - Earth Day at Kirby sparks innovation. Students repurposed recycled materials into meaningful, handmade jewelry.
Kirby School Photo #11 - In Kirby's FabLab, a student watches her work come alive. An idea becomes something tangible.
Kirby School Photo #12 - Commute with ease. Kirby offers daily shuttle service to and from Aptos and Los Gatos-making it easier for students from across the region to be part of our community.
At our intentionally small 612 school in Santa Cruz, students are known not just by name, but by heart.
With an average class size of 12, Kirby offers a learning environment built on trust, depth, and connection-where teachers don't just teach; they challenge, guide, and believe in every student.
Here, intellectual rigor and emotional belonging go hand in hand.
Our college preparatory curriculum is inquiry-driven and human-scaled-designed not just to check boxes, but to cultivate thinkers, creators, and contributors who can navigate complexity with confidence and care.
We serve students who are curious, capable, and courageously themselves.
They learn to ask big questions, take meaningful risks, and lead with integrity-not because they're performing, but because they're becoming.
At Kirby, students don't just prepare for college. They prepare for a life of purpose.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 133 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $46,900
  • Acceptance rate: 100%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 9 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Kirby School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1994
School Calendar
First Day of School
Tue. Aug 12, 2025

Student Body

Total Students
133 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
11%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Kirby School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
60%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
16 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP American Literature, AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus A, B, and C, AP Chemistry, AP English Language Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French, AP Latin, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Spanish 4, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP US Government, AP US History, Honors Engineering Physics
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 9 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
2024-2025 Annual Tuition 6th and 7th Grade Tuition is $40,500. 8th through 12th Grade Tuition is $46,900. International Student Tuition is $52,300. One-time Fees Application Fee: $75 New student enrollment fee: $975.
% on Financial Aid
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$31,965
Acceptance Rate
100%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Emily Shoen
Admissions Associate
Sonoma Bates
Application URL

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
18 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Art Club, Cancer Awareness Club, Chess Club, Cooking Club, Ecology, Economics, Gay Straight Alliance, Green Team, Junior Statesman of America (JSA), Student Council, Student Government


Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Choir, Chorus, Drama, Jazz Band, Jazz Choir, Orchestra, Treble Choir

School Notes

  • School Motto: Kirby empowers students to shape their futures with confidence.
  • School Mascot: Griffin
  • At Kirby, students don't have to choose between intellect and imagination-they're invited to explore both.
  • Our rich academic and fine arts programs are deeply interconnected. Whether composing a portfolio or a research paper, students engage with rigor and creativity in equal measure.
  • Kirby's faculty bring more than credentials-over 60% hold advanced degrees-but it's their passion that defines them. They teach with infectious enthusiasm, deep subject knowledge, and a belief in each student's potential.
  • High school students can pursueIntensive Pathsin the Arts, Humanities, Science & Technology, or Languages-immersive experiences that deepen expertise and sharpen direction. Math and language placement is based on mastery, not grade level, so every student is appropriately challenged and meaningfully engaged.
  • Athletics at Kirby are welcoming by design. As a member of the Central Coast Conference, we offer "no-cut" teams-every student is encouraged to play, grow, and contribute.
  • OurFabLabis a hands-on makerspace where students bring ideas to life: designing, prototyping, and building using 3D printers, laser cutters, embroidery machines, and more. It's where creative thinking meets real-world application-and where students realize what they're capable of.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Mia Deng '13 - Mia was recognized in "Forbes 30 Under 30" for being the youngest partner at Dragonfly Capital. The crypto asset firm manages more than $2 billion of assets.
    • Anthony Arya '20 - Contestant on "The Voice" season 15: Arya still performs whilst attending Stanford University.
    • Aza Steel '09 - Steel co-founded GoGuardian, an educational software company less than a year after graduating college. He was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Kirby School cost?
Kirby School's tuition is approximately $46,900 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Kirby School?
The acceptance rate of Kirby School is 100%, which is higher than the national average of 80%.
Who are famous alumni from Kirby School?
Kirby School famous alumni include: Mia Deng '13, Anthony Arya '20 and Aza Steel '09.
What sports does Kirby School offer?
Kirby School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Golf, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball. Kirby School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Kirby School?
The application deadline for Kirby School is Feb. 9 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 9 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (2 reviews)
5  
My son's teachers have all been attentive and are genuinely excited to teach. They provide insightful feedback about my son's opportunities and challenges, allowing me to be proactive at home if needed to support. Progressive and respectful community. Incredibly small class sizes where no one can be invisible. The dialogue that happens in class spills over at the dinner table. I've never seen my son so interested in what he's learning and so interested in exploring what he's learning with others. Academically challenging but with lots of support if needed. My son is doing things I never imagined he'd be interested in -- with a new found identity in being involved in those activities. Highly recommended.
- Posted by
5  
Excellent school. Good balance of traditional and progressive. Homogenous population of high achievers. The art splay a strong role. Math and science are very, very strong as is writing. Faculty is very impressive. PhDs, jd and master's. Very nice school!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 133 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $46,900
  • Acceptance rate: 100%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 9 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Santa Cruz, CA is $20,989 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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