Big Sur, California · Since 1988

Supporting Big Sur's kids, teachers and families

The Parent Club is the parents and friends of Captain Cooper School, the public elementary school on Highway 1 in Big Sur. We raise money, volunteer, and bring families together so every child at the school has what they need to learn and grow.

Captain Cooper School sign and school building in Big Sur

Our history

Big Sur parents founded the Captain Cooper Parent Club in 1988 to support the school and the families it serves along the coast. The club was recognized as a tax-exempt charity that year, adopted its bylaws in 1993, and incorporated as a California nonprofit in 2009.

Captain Cooper is a small school, with around fifty students from TK through 5th grade. For more than thirty-five years the Parent Club has been run entirely by parent volunteers, helping fill the gaps that a remote, rural school faces.

Our mission

To support a sense of good citizenship within our community by welcoming every student, teacher, parent, and school staff member into a safe learning environment at Captain Cooper School.

We envision a school curriculum in which all students are challenged and encouraged in a strong academic environment that helps to develop problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and the social skills necessary to empower them to become life-long learners.

Our goal is to provide volunteer hours and financial support that will enhance the school curriculum for the students of Captain Cooper Elementary School.

Captain Cooper School playground among the trees in Big Sur

Photo: The Sandpiper

What we do

School support

Classroom supplies, field trips, enrichment and support for teachers.

Community events

Family gatherings and fundraisers throughout the school year.

Arts, sports & enrichment

After-school sports, movement and arts activities for TK through 5th grade, led by volunteers and local instructors.

Parents, neighbors and friends of the school are welcome to volunteer. To get involved, email [email protected].