Santa Cruz County Special Education

105 Students

Other K - 12th

School Overview

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s Special Education division provides comprehensive support and specialized instruction for students with disabilities across the county. Based at their Encinal Street office, the program acts as a collaborative hub, working closely with local school districts, families, and community agencies to ensure that students with diverse learning needs receive equitable access to high-quality education. Their services are designed to support individualized educational plans (IEPs) through specialized staffing, resources, and instructional frameworks that prioritize student development, inclusion, and academic success.

Beyond direct classroom support, the department serves as a vital resource for navigating the complexities of the special education system. They provide professional development for educators, guidance for parents regarding legal rights and services, and specialized programs for students ranging from early childhood through post-secondary transition. By focusing on the unique potential of each student, the Santa Cruz County Special Education division plays a foundational role in fostering an inclusive environment that helps learners overcome barriers and achieve their personal best.

105

Total Students

15.0

Full-Time Teachers

7.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

34.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Santa Cruz County Special Education
Demographic	Student Count
White	50
Hispanic	36
Black	1
Asian	9
Two or More	9

White
50 (47.6%)
Hispanic
36 (34.3%)
Asian
9 (8.6%)
Two or More
9 (8.6%)
Black
1 (1.0%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Other
School Type:	Special Education School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Phone:	(831)466-5700
Website:	http://santacruzcoe.org/
Grade Range:	K - 12th
Total Students:	105
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	15.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	7.0
NSLP Participation:¹	N/A
Qualified Free Lunch:	36
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 8

Grade 1 6

Grade 2 5

Grade 3 5

Grade 4 9

Grade 5 4

Grade 6 5

Grade 7 6

Grade 8 1

Grade 9 6

Grade 10 5