The Acorn and Waves
A symbol of endless possibilities.
Founded in 1994, Kirby School is an independent, co-educational day school for grades 6 through 12 and 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. Kirby’s CEEB Code is 053290.
Learn more about Kirby's academic program.
The Acorn and Waves
The Kirby logo, affectionately abbreviated to "The Acorn", was designed by Mallee Sato, a student in the first graduating class in 1997. About the design, an acorn surrounded by waves, Mallee shares, "It was the beginning of new lives for all of us in the class and for the school which had just been established, and a symbol of the endless possibilities for those who came after us."
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.
“Each wave represents one of us in the first graduating class. However, just like the ocean, the waves come and go and are a part of a larger and greater power. The acorn represents the Oak tree which is strong and lives on for many generations, providing a deeply rooted foundation from which we all grew. ”
Mallee Sato '97