Verdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 1

Verdugo Hills High School WASC/CDE Self-Study ReportEVIDENCE• Operation DVD• Project Impact• Brownie Pen Pals• Peer Counseling• Glee Club• Work Experience Program• Music Department• VHHS Athletic Program• Humanitas Club• Leadership ClassSTRENGTHSThe Instruction Focus Group identified strengths and growth areas bylooking at the campus through the lens of instruction. VHHS’s greateststrength is the dedicated faculty, staff, and administration, who all worktowards a common goal which revolves around providing the students withthe best quality instruction that, will prepare them for their future. As Dons,the faculty, staff, and administration take pride in ensuring that all VHHSstudents receive a quality education that will make them college-ready andencourage them to become productive members of society. The instructionfocus group felt that other obvious strengths at VHHS would be the VerdugoHills Writing Program, which has united all disciplines to use a commonlanguage when speaking about writing. The Peer Mentoring Program is asuccess in helping both student mentors and mentees to develop a positiveself-image and to further embrace and understand the importance ofeducation. The program Students Run LA is another strength that isinvaluable to the students who participate in it. The students train andparticipate in the LA Marathon and this program, not only teaches thestudents stamina, but also teaches them determination. VHHS’s continuousgains on the CST illustrate the fact that the VHHS staff and faculty arededicated to making sure their courses of instruction are aligned with theCDOE State Content Standards. All of the VHHS departments of instructionhave a vested interest in the students and their education as illustrated bythe fact that each department has created their own assessments. The mathdepartment meets at lunch to discuss best practices, instruction and deliveryVerdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 138