Verdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 1

Verdugo Hills High School WASC/CDE Self-Study ReportThe VHHS counseling staff works with students on the LAUSD “High SchoolIndividualized Graduation Plan”. The plan provides a timeline of courseworkleading up to graduation, including nonacademic requirements for the highschool diploma and post-secondary goals. With the assistance of theircounselor students plan their UC/CSU “A-G” admission requirementsequences. Honors and AP options, credits earned toward graduation, acareer pathway, off-campus classes, goals beyond high school, non-courserequirements (CAHSEE, computer literacy examination, service learning),and optional tests (PSAT/NMQST, PLAN, SAT, and/or ACT). Incoming newstudents receive this planning sheet with the enrollment packet. Counselorsdistribute and discuss the “High School Individualized Graduation Plan” withboth students and parents at grade level assemblies, individually, and byappointment with students and their parents. Counselors also updatestudent progress toward graduation on a “Senior Checklist” for each student.Verdugo Hills High School supports a college-going culture as exemplified by91% of our 2006 graduates reporting that they are attending communitycolleges, four-year colleges and universities, or technical training institutionsafter highs school. From an exit survey conducts by the Counselor in June2006, 25% reported that the had been accepted to a four-year college oruniversity, 55% plan to attend community college, and 11% reported thatthey plan to attend technical training schools. The remaining 9% indicatedemployment, military service, or were undecided at the time of the survey.All students at VHHS have access to outreach services from a number of twoand four-year colleges, universities, public and independent institutions ofhigher learning, and technological schools. Regularly schedule visits fromoutreach and admissions representatives from California State University,Los Angeles; California State University, Northridge; UCLA; UC Riverside;Los Angeles Mission College; Los Angeles Valley College; and GlendaleCommunity College provide students with individual, classroom, and groupinformational opportunities. The VHHS college-going culture encourages allstudents to participate in pre-college workshops, presentations, seminars,college campus visits, career conventions, and other special events.The Advanced Placement (AP) Readiness Science Academic Year program isdesigned to train teachers in AP instruction while preparing students for APcourses. Working with master science instructors and teachers, studentsVerdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 109