Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School, commonly referred to as Kirby School, is a co-educational, non-sectarian independent school located in Santa Cruz, California. The school educates students in grades 6–12.

History and general information

Founded in 1994, Kirby School is named after Georgiana Bruce Kirby, a suffragist, educator, and public speaker who settled in California in the mid-1800s. In August 2006, the school moved to the Tarantella building, formerly a high-technology complex in the Harvey West area of Santa Cruz.

Academic achievements and recognition

In 2006, the College Board Advanced Placement Report to the Nation recognized Kirby students for having the "Best in the World" in Art History performance among schools with 300 or fewer students. In the spring of 2009, Kirby students took 99 AP exams. 94% scored 3 or higher (college credit), and 47% achieved the maximum score of 5. From 1999 through 2009, Kirby graduated 250 students, of which thirty-six (15%) earned National Merit recognition. Twenty-five percent of the graduating class of 2014 earned National Merit recognition.

Affiliations

Kirby is a member of and is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.