Kirby School

Kirby empowers students to shape their futures with confidence. Students in our diverse community learn to think critically, develop their creativity, and achieve with thoughtfulness and respect.

We nurture confidence and critical thinking for a changing world.

• We are authentic in all that we do.
• We trust ourselves and are genuine.
• We have courage and tenacity.
• We prepare students for college and their future.

We are a community of belonging.

• We are equitable, inclusive and collaborative.
• We embody diverse perspectives.
• We care for ourselves and each other.
• We create safe spaces for everyone to be themselves.

We find joy in creativity and academic challenge.

• We are curious and have passion for knowledge.
• We invest in ourselves.
• We believe every student is unique and has a different path.
• We are adaptable and responsive.
• We value out of the box thinking.

After more than 25 years of operation, our community continues to honor its history and renews its commitment to providing endless possibilities to students through a rigorous, balanced and compassionate world-class education.

Kirby was named for a Santa Cruz pioneer, Georgiana Bruce Kirby, who devoted her life to education, freedom, and enfranchisement. The School was founded on the belief that students who are respected and appreciated for their unique strengths and abilities will exhibit greater enthusiasm for learning and achieve at the highest levels.

Our founders, three education visionaries who had long-dreamed of a comprehensive, non-sectarian, college-preparatory middle and high school in Santa Cruz, formed Kirby School, along with a group of parents who were invested in providing a college-prep pathway for motivated students from the many independent primary schools in the community.