Mission Statement

Delta School serves students who have not succeeded in other high schools.

Delta equips students with the skills necessary to graduate from high school,

go on to higher education, and positively contribute to society.

Delta High School was founded in 1994 by a group of Santa Cruz County business leaders concerned about California’s rising drop out rate. Delta works in partnership with Cabrillo Community College and Santa Cruz City Schools District. The school provides an environment where teens work with adults in an atmosphere of trust and responsibility to develop personal accountability and life skills. Students are able to overcome past academic failures, graduate from high school, gain employment and economic independence. All students are given the tools to become successful in the college environment, if that is the path they choose.

It is our hope that the lessons students learn at Delta will serve them well as they venture out into the world as adults.  Delta provides high school students who have struggled in the traditional education system with the opportunity to graduate. Situated on the Cabrillo College campus, Delta works in collaboration with the community college to create bridges to post-secondary education following graduation.

Delta strives to make education relevant to young people who have not found success in traditional high schools. With an average annual enrollment of 100 students, Delta School offers a highly supportive and academically challenging environment with a 1:16 teacher/student ratio.  The Delta staff work hard to create an achievement-focused school culture that fosters healthy relationships between students and adults. Delta students have the opportunity to receive workplace skills training and to participate in ROP courses, and internships that will help to ensure that they will develop real world skills required for college and the working world.

Santa Cruz City Schools is Delta’s chartering agency. As such, it disperses state funds to Delta based on the school’s daily attendance, (ADA). It also provides administrative oversight for special state education funding identified for instructional materials, equipment, and special education services.