Points of Pride
New Vista has a strong advisory program that supports each student from enrollment through graduation.
Our diverse staff and student body is committed to creating a powerful sense of community and exceptionally positive, welcoming and safe school climate.
Our rigorous, relevant curriculum supports individual interests and prepares students for post-secondary options including competitive colleges & universities.
We offer a school wide equity curriculum, Student Equity Leadership program, and community-based learning including service, internships and independent study.
Goals
Equity (E): Improve 2009 growth median for all English Language Learners students to at least 50 in reading (48), writing (45.5) and beyond 50 in math (50). Numbers in parentheses are 2008 growth medians. Achievement (A): Improve school wide (grades 9 and 10) 2009 growth median in writing to 50 from current (2008) 46. Climate (C): Raise percentage of students who agree or strongly agree on 2009 school climate survey questions relating to welcoming environment, safety and cultural competency for students in all groups. School Organization (S): Decrease total number of unexcused period absences each quarter compared to quarters in 07-08 school year.
School Profile
In order to actively engage every student in learning, our program includes:
- personal relationships, built on mutual respect, with all adults in the school;
- an advisor who supports each student from enrollment through graduation;
- choices that allow students to shape the educational program to meet their needs and interests;
- active learning in all classrooms and varied and engaging course offerings;
- credit earning opportunities in the community;
- a school climate that values individuals, community, and learning. Programmatic elements of New Vista High School:
- enrollment by choice and lottery;
- small school size (350) and class size (15-25);
- a culture of revision and practice;
- quarter calendar and block classes;
- weekly time for learning in the community;
- course offerings that respond to student and teacher interests;
- contracts for mentored learning outside of the regular school day and year;
- off-campus learning in technical or post-secondary programs;
- advisory groups;
- heterogeneous and multi-age class groupings;
- a full inclusion approach to special education;
- end of quarter exhibition days that celebrate learning across all disciplines.
New Vista's unique graduation requirements expect that each student will:
- fulfill Common Learning Requirements which specify grades of A or B across a range of disciplines;
- write a graduation proposal, convene a graduation committee and complete a Culminating Project.