K.A. Ziegler (Firm)

K.A. Ziegler (Firm) is an author connected to The Branson School, a co-educational college-preparatory high school founded in 1916 in Marin County, California. Initially established as a primary school, it evolved over the years, adding upper levels and eventually merging to become a coeducational institution in 1985. The school, located in Ross, California, currently serves students in grades 9–12 and boasts a range of campus facilities, including an LEED Platinum-certified Student Commons.

The school's history includes its origins as the Little Gray School and its subsequent renaming as the San Rafael School for Girls. In 1920, sisters Katharine Fleming Branson and Laura Elizabeth Branson were appointed co-headmistresses, both graduates of Bryn Mawr College. The school has also faced scrutiny regarding its culture, with allegations of teacher-student relationships and a law firm report detailing a permissive environment. Despite these challenges, The Branson School has produced numerous notable alumni across diverse fields such as arts, sports, business, and public service.

The Branson School originated in 1916 when fifteen families in Marin County, California, collaborated to establish a local private school. Construction of The Little Gray School was completed in 1917, beginning as a coeducational primary school for students in grades one through four. By 1918, the institution expanded to include intermediate and upper levels, though these were exclusively for girls, leading to a renaming as the San Rafael School for Girls. In April 1920, the school's trustees appointed Katharine Fleming Branson and her sister, Laura Elizabeth Branson, as co-headmistresses. Katharine, the elder sister, had previously been the Associate Director of Studies at the Beard School, while Laura, a mathematics and science teacher at The Shipley School, had led the Mathematics Department at Rosemary Hall. Both sisters were distinguished graduates of Bryn Mawr College, having earned their degrees cum laude.

The Branson School is situated in Ross, California, approximately 11 miles north of San Francisco, and currently enrolls 420 students in grades 9–12. The campus features modern facilities designed to support student learning and well-being. Among these is the Student Commons, a common area recognized for its LEED Platinum certification, highlighting the school's commitment to sustainable design. Additionally, the Rand Center serves as a dedicated learning resource for students, named in honor of Allen Rand. The school's history also notes a period where its gender-specific divisions became less distinct by the 1980s, with shared faculty, trustees, and curriculum between the Katharine Branson School and the Mount Tamalpais School. This convergence culminated in their merger in July 1985, forming the coeducational private day school known today as The Branson School.

The Branson School has a history of educating individuals who have achieved prominence in a wide array of fields. Alumni include Kate Courtney, a world champion professional mountain biker; Julia Child, a renowned chef, television personality, and author; and Edie Sedgwick, a celebrated socialite, actress, and model. The school's alumni network also encompasses figures like architect Hans Baldauf, former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, and television journalist Elisabeth Leamy. In the entrepreneurial and tech sectors, Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, and Jack Conte, co-founder of Patreon, are notable graduates. The arts and activism are represented by documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel and award-winning poet Javier Zamora. The school has also produced Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and historian Benjamin Breen, demonstrating a broad impact across culture, sports, business, and public service.