Community
Valley High School is located in Southern California in the coast of the city of Escondido.Escondido is an urban environment surrounded by mountains and hills and is also known to be the city that is the heart of San Diego. Located approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diegoand 18 miles inland, Escondido is home to a population of over 140,000 residents. According to the 2010 census, the racial makeup of Escondido is comprised of 60.4% White (40.4% non-Hispanic white), 2.5% African American (2.1% non-Hispanic black), 1.0% Native American, 6.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 25.4% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48.9% of the population.
Over 8,000 students attend classes at one of four high schools in the Escondido Unified School District.
Comprehensive Schools: Escondido High, Orange Glen High and San Pasqual High
Alternative School: Valley High
Over 8,000 students attend classes at one of four high schools in the Escondido Unified School District.
Comprehensive Schools: Escondido High, Orange Glen High and San Pasqual High
Alternative School: Valley High
School
Valley High School
410 North Hidden Trails Road
Escondido, CA 92027
Mission Of Valley High School
“Learning for all, whatever it takes.”
The school’s mission statement captures the essence of the staff’s commitment to student learning. It is consistently communicated to students and parents, is posted in classrooms, and is included in written school communications.
Vision of Valley High School
Vision Statement: Valley High School is a community where all members are treated with respect and where the unique qualities of individuals are recognized and celebrated. It is a place where students are helped to identify and overcome obstacles that have interrupted their educational and social development and where students are assisted in obtaining college ready academic skills, interpersonal skills and also, the vocational and technology skills needed in order to continue to learn, expand workplace options and become responsible citizens of their community and the
world.
Why Students Come to Valley
Personalized Instruction, Work-study Program, Group Counseling,Guidance, Placement, Follow-Up Services
Most students enroll at Valley High School because it offers a program that meets their individual needs. You will find a friendly and caring staff that will help you meet your educational and personal goals.
Advantages of attending Valley Include: smaller classes, personalized instruction, cooperative learning, individual and group counseling by school district staf and community agencies, standards-based learning, multi-cultural emphasis that prepares you for post-high experiences,technology integrated curriculum,team process as an integral part of student learning.
Valley High School is the district’s continuation high school and serves from 375-425 students on a daily basis throughout the school year. Valley’s philosophy since its inception has been to provide an environment and opportunity for success to students who have previously been unsuccessful at their former high schools. The mission statement reflects the school-wide commitment to this philosophy. The main objective is to provide students with the academic and life skills necessary to earn a high school diploma, prepare for community college or other specific post-graduation training and ultimately fully participate in their community while continuing to plan for future pursuits.
Valley High School is on an open-entry, open exit, trimester system, receiving new students from the Response-Ability Training Program (RTP) every four weeks. Students are referred to Valley for a variety of reasons, which may include: credit deficiency, extended illness, adjustment issues and family related challenges. Upon referral, all students are processed through the district’s Alternative Placement Committee (APC) to ensure that Valley High School is the appropriate placement. Staff provide strong pro-social skills emphasis in educational
programs that promotes student success both in and outside of the classroom.
410 North Hidden Trails Road
Escondido, CA 92027
Mission Of Valley High School
“Learning for all, whatever it takes.”
The school’s mission statement captures the essence of the staff’s commitment to student learning. It is consistently communicated to students and parents, is posted in classrooms, and is included in written school communications.
Vision of Valley High School
Vision Statement: Valley High School is a community where all members are treated with respect and where the unique qualities of individuals are recognized and celebrated. It is a place where students are helped to identify and overcome obstacles that have interrupted their educational and social development and where students are assisted in obtaining college ready academic skills, interpersonal skills and also, the vocational and technology skills needed in order to continue to learn, expand workplace options and become responsible citizens of their community and the
world.
Why Students Come to Valley
Personalized Instruction, Work-study Program, Group Counseling,Guidance, Placement, Follow-Up Services
Most students enroll at Valley High School because it offers a program that meets their individual needs. You will find a friendly and caring staff that will help you meet your educational and personal goals.
Advantages of attending Valley Include: smaller classes, personalized instruction, cooperative learning, individual and group counseling by school district staf and community agencies, standards-based learning, multi-cultural emphasis that prepares you for post-high experiences,technology integrated curriculum,team process as an integral part of student learning.
Valley High School is the district’s continuation high school and serves from 375-425 students on a daily basis throughout the school year. Valley’s philosophy since its inception has been to provide an environment and opportunity for success to students who have previously been unsuccessful at their former high schools. The mission statement reflects the school-wide commitment to this philosophy. The main objective is to provide students with the academic and life skills necessary to earn a high school diploma, prepare for community college or other specific post-graduation training and ultimately fully participate in their community while continuing to plan for future pursuits.
Valley High School is on an open-entry, open exit, trimester system, receiving new students from the Response-Ability Training Program (RTP) every four weeks. Students are referred to Valley for a variety of reasons, which may include: credit deficiency, extended illness, adjustment issues and family related challenges. Upon referral, all students are processed through the district’s Alternative Placement Committee (APC) to ensure that Valley High School is the appropriate placement. Staff provide strong pro-social skills emphasis in educational
programs that promotes student success both in and outside of the classroom.
School Personnel
Administration
Principal Sandra Uribe-Silverman
Alternative Ed. Admin. Secretary Heather Mercaro
Assistant Vice Principal Dan Barajas
Staff
Industrial Arts/Health/RTP Steve Atwood
Science Rita Boyd
Art/CAD Steve Byers
Mathematics/Testing Coordinator Sharon Clark
Social Science David Flynt
Science Thomas Gabriella
IndependentStudy/Plato Bill Hartfield
PE Tony Hutchinson
Bilingual Counselor Noemi Iraci
English/Reading Ritu Jagir
English/AVID Bertha Jimenez
Mathematics Abi Leaf
Computer Apps/Social Science Fran Meronoff
English Letha Morrison
Math Myron Kwai
Special Education RSP Brenda Simmons
Social Science Thomas Palacios
For the 2009-10 school year, Valley High School had 20 fully credentialed teachers
who met all credential requirements in accordance with State of California guidelines.
Years 07-08 08-09 09-10
Fully
Credentialed 17 17 20
Without Full
Credentials 1 1 0
Outside
Subject 4 5 4
Average Salary Information District State
Beginning Teachers $42,096 $43,096
Mid-Range Teachers $62,119 $70,018
Highest Teachers $89,320 $89,675
High School Principals $126,555 $128,615
Superintendents $174,296 $204,469
Principal Sandra Uribe-Silverman
Alternative Ed. Admin. Secretary Heather Mercaro
Assistant Vice Principal Dan Barajas
Staff
Industrial Arts/Health/RTP Steve Atwood
Science Rita Boyd
Art/CAD Steve Byers
Mathematics/Testing Coordinator Sharon Clark
Social Science David Flynt
Science Thomas Gabriella
IndependentStudy/Plato Bill Hartfield
PE Tony Hutchinson
Bilingual Counselor Noemi Iraci
English/Reading Ritu Jagir
English/AVID Bertha Jimenez
Mathematics Abi Leaf
Computer Apps/Social Science Fran Meronoff
English Letha Morrison
Math Myron Kwai
Special Education RSP Brenda Simmons
Social Science Thomas Palacios
For the 2009-10 school year, Valley High School had 20 fully credentialed teachers
who met all credential requirements in accordance with State of California guidelines.
Years 07-08 08-09 09-10
Fully
Credentialed 17 17 20
Without Full
Credentials 1 1 0
Outside
Subject 4 5 4
Average Salary Information District State
Beginning Teachers $42,096 $43,096
Mid-Range Teachers $62,119 $70,018
Highest Teachers $89,320 $89,675
High School Principals $126,555 $128,615
Superintendents $174,296 $204,469
School Reputation
API School Results
Statewide Similar Schools Actual API Change
07-08 B B -14
08-09 B B -2
09-10 B B 49
Growth API
School District State
All
Students 514 724 767
Hispanic
or Latino 535 673 715
Socioeconomically
Disadvantaged 520 672 712
English Learners 528 663 691
AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
School District
Made AYP Overall No No
Before and After School Programs "Second Chance"
Homework Club
Ruckus Room
CAHSEE Prep
Video Lounge
Art Club
Weight Room
Sports
B.O.S.S.
Creative Writing
Scholarship
Science/Math
All About Me
Statewide Similar Schools Actual API Change
07-08 B B -14
08-09 B B -2
09-10 B B 49
Growth API
School District State
All
Students 514 724 767
Hispanic
or Latino 535 673 715
Socioeconomically
Disadvantaged 520 672 712
English Learners 528 663 691
AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
School District
Made AYP Overall No No
Before and After School Programs "Second Chance"
Homework Club
Ruckus Room
CAHSEE Prep
Video Lounge
Art Club
Weight Room
Sports
B.O.S.S.
Creative Writing
Scholarship
Science/Math
All About Me
Student Population: 425 Students
Socioeconomic Data
Students at Valley High School frequently come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Currently, 288 students receive free and/or reduced lunches. The district food service administrators make every effort to ensure that all eligible students are served and school staff distributes the application several times during the year at parent meetings, presentations and in classrooms.
Primary Home Language Data
Spanish is the primary language of 229 of Valley’s current 419 students. Of those students, 44 have been reclassified as Fully English Proficient (FEP) while in high school. 91 are still classified as Limited English Proficient (LEP) or a transitional stage. Valley continues to provide a formal English Language Development Program. ELD students also receive support through the ASSETs Grant after-school tutorials which are taught by Valley teachers who are 100% CLAD or SDAIE certified. The Valley staff continues their training in the instruction of English Learners through Advanced SDAIE Training offered at staff meetings.
Creating Life Long Learners
The Valley High School Staff is committed to the following Expected School-wide Learning Results. All students will receive support in the following areas in order to provide the groundwork for them to become life long
learners.
1. College and Career Preparation
2. Study Skills and Academic Performance
3. Personal Responsibility and Accountability
Community
The City of Escondido and local social service agencies are developing several teen facilities in an effort to
provide alternative recreational outlets for teens. In the past eight years, the City has opened the East Valley Community Center, which has a library, sports courts, and a social area. During the week Valley’s physical
education classes use the adjacent Francis Ryan Park on a regular basis. In the evening and on weekends the park hosts hundreds of youth and adult outdoor sports activities. The Escondido Public Library, along with the Education
COMPACT, provide teen centers with computers and tutoring to help students with academic and social growth. The city also built a skate park in Kit Carson Park and the YMCA opened a teen recreation center.
The City of Escondido had four full-time school-police liaison officers to support the city’s elementary and high school districts. These officers provide regular traffic safety presentations and assist school officials in dealing with graffiti and other school related crime.
Five Students for Differentiation
The five students with differentiation needs are Elena, Alex, Dexter, Julie and Sabien. These students represent the diversity of the school with their cultural backgrounds, learning styles or needs and individual strengths.