Captain Cooper Elementary

Carmel Unified
Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
42 Students
Elementary School K - 5th
School Overview
Captain Cooper Elementary School is a unique, historic institution situated in the heart of Big Sur, California. Serving as the only public school in the remote coastal community, it operates as a single-site district that reflects the rugged, isolated, and tight-knit nature of the region it serves. Because of its location along Highway 1, the school is deeply integrated into the Big Sur environment, often functioning as a community hub that emphasizes place-based learning and an appreciation for the surrounding natural landscape.

The school is known for its small, intimate class sizes and a multi-age instructional approach, which allows for personalized attention and strong social-emotional development among students. Despite its small enrollment, Captain Cooper maintains a rigorous academic standard while fostering a culture that encourages creativity, environmental stewardship, and outdoor exploration. It is widely regarded as a focal point of the local community, providing an essential educational foundation while preserving the distinct character and spirit of the Big Sur coast.
42
Total Students
4.0
Full-Time Teachers
10.5
Student/Teacher Ratio
54.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • Hispanic
    28 (66.7 %)
  • White
    10 (23.8 %)
  • Two or More
    4 (9.5 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: N/A
District: Carmel Unified
Phone: (831)667-2452
Grade Range: K - 5th
Total Students: 42
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 4.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 10.5
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 13
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 10

* 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 5
Grade 1 10
Grade 2 8
Grade 3 8
Grade 4 5
Grade 5 6
Gender Ratio