VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL is breaking away from the traditional high school to a student-centered learning community that will focus on academic achievement for all students.

In an effort to encourage more students to graduate from Valencia High School, we have begun the hard work of high school reform. Valencia High School is developing itself around three concepts—Relationships, Relevance, and Rigor—to help students be successful. This not only helps students learn what they need to know as they exit high school, but also helps them to understand why this learning connects to life outside of high school.

Principal Mario Zuniga, aided by a dedicated and skilled leadership team, is leading the faculty through a series of three hard questions:

What do we want our graduates to “look” like?

Are we producing that now?

If we are not, what do we need to do?

Through study and research of major reform models, they are creating a detailed plan that encourages engagement of all stakeholders.

KEY COMPONENTS OF VHS SLC MODEL

Team based Freshmen Academy

Extra support for Math, Reading, and Academic Preparation, Career Exploration

Broad career themes by SLC
Full academic support in each academy
Coordination with community business partners to provide authentic learning opportunities
Alignment with universities, community college, and technical college programs
Dedicated administration, counseling, and teaching staff for each SLC
Graduation requirements that meet NM high school requirements
Career pathways within each SLC that lead to industry based certification, advanced credit and increased preparation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if students have not decided what career they are interested in?

For students who have not decided, each SLC should give them the opportunity to explore a broad career theme and learn more about opportunities. Students will be allowed to take electives across the curriculum. They will eventually take courses that support their interests.

 How do SLC’s support all students?

Students are placed in their SLC based strictly upon their interests and choices. Support for SpEd, ESL, or whatever they need is provided in each SLC.

 Are SLCs a form of tracking students?

The misconception of SLCs is that we are tracking students into a narrow career preparation pathway. We will be recommending courses that support their current career interests, knowing that these interests could change as they grow up. Enrollment is based on student interest. We will suggest specific courses, but ultimately the choice of electives is up to the student and parent.

First, we help them to figure out what they want in the future. SLCs are one way for more students to access appropriate education opportunities. Along the way, we may motivate a student to reach for higher expectations.