On Feb. 27, Cabrillo College and the nonprofit charter Delta School announced that, coinciding with its 30th anniversary, the Delta School will move from the lower campus to Building 500, in the upper campus.
The 500 Building, which has been home to the Estrellas program for freshmen and the grant-funded Title V program to improve transfer rates to CSU Monterey Bay for low-income and Latino students, is undergoing renovations to prepare for Delta’s move-in during the summer.
Delta plans a grand opening/30th anniversary party in late April or early May when the renovations are complete.
About 65% of Delta High School students take Cabrillo classes along with high school classes.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Delta School to our upper campus,” said Cabrillo College Superintendent and President Matt Wetstein. “With 65% of Delta students also taking classes at Cabrillo as concurrently enrolled students, this new location gives them better access to campus amenities and more of a true college student experience — it makes sense on many levels.”
Delta’s veteran staff supports 120 students spanning grades 9–12 with levels ranging from academically accelerated to those needing extra support.
Delta intentionally aims to keep class sizes small, though the move to Cabrillo’s upper campus could allow the school to add 15 more students. Delta graduates between 40 and 60 students each year, and this year is on schedule to graduate 50 seniors.
With the move taking place over the summer, Delta is to offer classes in the 500 Building starting in fall 2025.
“We are very excited to provide a high-quality learning environment for all of our students,” said Delta Superintendent/Principal Jen Ra’anan. “Dual-enrolled students will have easier access to their courses, the library, and the HUB. Additionally, with 80% of our students enrolling at Cabrillo post-graduation, the familiarity with the campus will provide our seniors a smoother transition when they start college.”
Delta High School, the fifth oldest charter school in the state, was established in July 1994 by local businesspeople as a nonprofit public charter Cities in Schools to serve students who had not been supported by traditional school environments.
Starting in one classroom at UC Santa Cruz, Delta moved to Cabrillo College in Aptos in 2002 and since then, has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the community college.
“The Delta Board is so appreciative of the educational partnership with Cabrillo College, which has enabled the move to our new facility on the Cabrillo campus,” said Mary Altier, Delta board president. “The shared vision between our two independent entities will provide better educational opportunities for students seeking a smaller, more personalized learning environment.”
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Delta School is accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. Families interested in enrolling or learning more about Delta can visit www.deltaschool.org or email Superintendent/Principal Jen Ra’anan at [email protected].
Cover Photo: Cabrillo President Matt Wetstein with Delta School Superintendent Jen Ra’anan.