Hello La Vista and La Sierra Families and Students,
Welcome to La Vista and La Sierra High Schools - two schools that offer amazing opportunities for continuation and alternative students. These students have a diverse range of needs that our staff is committed to serving. We put students first at La Vista/La Sierra and, as a result, our students thrive. Some examples of school and student success from the 2014-2015 school year include:
- LVHS achieved a school-wide attendance rate of 95%.
- Students at LSHS increased their unit productivity by an average of one additional unit earned each month.
- Students at both schools improved their reading levels:
- LVHS students averaged one year and one month of reading growth.
- LSHS students averaged two years and two months of reading growth.
- LSHS students averaged an increase of 18% when comparing pre- and post-test essay scores over the duration of one semester.
- Students in the Opportunity MATH 180 intervention classes averaged over two year’s growth in their basic math skills.
- Fullerton Opportunity students were transported to the main campus decreasing their unexcused absences and tardies while increasing their unit productivity.
- The iSierra Program increased the number of students enrolled in blended learning by over 200%.
- The iSierra Program successfully piloted the use of Google Hangouts to serve distance learners.
- The Kate Waller Barrett Academy was established to serve students in residential placement.
- Sixty-one percent of LSHS special education students met all or all but one of their IEP goals.
- Special education enrollment at LVHS increased significantly and these students earned an average of 94 units over the school year.
- Ninety-one percent of the forty-nine Adult Transition Program graduates surveyed currently receive paid employment, are participating in continuing education, or are participating in in agency supported job training.
We have a lot to be proud of and to celebrate at La Vista/La Sierra and we will continue to focus on our instruction, curriculum, assessment and climate this year to make our schools even better. Sometimes people are confused about the difference between La Vista and La Sierra so I want to take a moment to describe them and I hope this helps you to better understand the programs and supports available to your student.
La Vista is the District's continuation high school.
It has been named a Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education for the last twelve years. This is the highest honor a continuation high school can receive. Students are referred to La Vista because they are behind in credit. The school operates on a quarter system. This allows productive students with good attendance and behavior to accelerate the pace in which they earn credit. The staff is dedicated to helping students get caught up so they can graduate on time. High school aged students participating in the Teenage Pregnant and Parenting Program (TAPP) also attend La Vista. TAPP students have access to a variety of supports including an on-site, state-of-the-art childcare facility.
La Sierra is the alternative high school in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District serving students through six different programs:
1. The Opportunity Program offers classes designed for ninth and tenth grade students who are experiencing issues with academics, attendance and productivity. Students attend school in a small-class setting with a cohort of other Opportunity students. They work on core academic classes as well as ROP and elective classes to earn the credits needed to graduate. Math and reading intervention programs are offered to students performing below grade level.
2. The iSierra Academy is an independent study program offering a voluntary alternative learning experience with instructional value equivalent to a regular classroom program. The iSierra Academy utilizes APEX on-line curriculum which allows students to learn and interact with their instructor in a virtual setting. Students meet with their teacher at least once a week for an individual appointment to review progress and take assessments.
3. The Kate Waller Barrett Academy is an off-site program serving the students in residential placement in our community. These students receive English and math instruction through intervention curriculum: READ 180 and MATH 180. They work on their other high school credits using APEX on-line curriculum.
4. Home Hospital is a program for students who are medically identified as not being able to attend regular school. Teachers are sent to the home or hospital setting to provide instruction. The goal is for Home/Hospital students to stay on pace to graduate or to meet the goals of their individual education plan.
5. Endeavor is a program for high school students on individual education plans focusing on functional academics. Endeavor students receive services that include, but are not limited to, adaptive physical education, assistive technology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and counseling. After finishing the program Endeavor students receive a certificate of achievement.
6. The Adult Transition Program serves eighteen through twenty-two-year-old students on individual education plans. Students learn valuable vocational, mobility, community, social, and independent living skills in a community-based instruction model. The goal is to enable Adult Transition Students to function productively in the community to the best of their abilities.
The 2015-2016 school year will be an exciting time for students as they work to catch up on units, to graduate on time, and/or to learn at an individual pace. We invite parents and guardians to participate in their student's La Vista/La Sierra education by attending our Parent Institute, School Site Council, ELAC, Fullerton College Seminars, College Night and Back-to-School Night. Please check the school calendar on this website for dates. We look forward to collaborating with you to make this a successful year.
Go Lions!
Sandi Layana
Principal
