9/8/99
My concern is that huge developments of thousands of new homes are being constructed while our existing schools are expected to educate the children living in them. Two new junior highs are planned to be completed in 2001 and 2003 and two new high schools also in 2001 and 2003. This will be too late to be any help to my children who have suffered with overcrowding and shortages of books and equipment throughout their education.
And finally, if you student is just average, don't expect a lot of support from the schools. There is plenty of emphasis on special ed programs for under achievers. The schools bend over backward to help these kids, and that's fine. And if your child stands out as exceptionally bright, he or she will be placed in challenging classes. But if your child doesn't cause any trouble and just gets average grades, there doesn't seem to be any concern about just letting him or her slide through without much attention. It has been very dishartening. I feel like all the motivating, all the learning has to happen at home. One of my children is getting challenging classes and it's obvious that her counselor is planning for her to go to college. The counselor seems to have decided that my other child is destined to work at McDonalds. Trying to graduate early, my son took classes at College of the Canyons over the summer. Knowing this, the counselor still didn't make sure he got all the classes he needed this semester. Part of this has to do with overcrowding and counselors having more students than they can deal with. The end result is the "invisible" average student.
Hart High School - built over 50 years ago for about 1560 students, construction of an additional wing brought capacity up to 1700. Current enrollment is 2532 students. In 4 years, expected enrollment is 4000. There are 46 portable classrooms and 20 more are planned. Impossible!
Canyon High School - Built in 1968 for 1600 students, now has nearly 2500. Numerous portable classrooms congest the campus and the multi-purpose room is used for class space. Science classes are taught in ill-equipped rooms lacking even running water. To help alleviate overcrowding, many classes begin at 7:00am.
Saugus High School - Built in 1975 for 1564 students, Saugus now has over 2300 and is projected to have over 3000 students within the next 4 years. A California Distinguished School, Saugus needs an additional 15 portables, science labs updated technology and new plumbing.
Valencia High School - built in 1964 for 2050 students is already over crowded with 2800. Enrollment is expected to top 5000 within 4 years. This school is becoming a "relocatable classroom city".
Placerita Jr. High - is 36 years old and designed for 832 students. Enrollment is now over 1300 students and is expected to be over 2000 within the next 5 years despite the construction of a new Jr. High. Restroom and general use facility space is inadequate and presents safety issues. Placerita needs additional classrooms, renovated electrical wiring, repair to deteriorated classroom walls and rusted plumbing.
Sierra Vista Jr. High - Over 30 years old and built for 868 students, Sierra Vista's enrollment is only 1000 with a projected 4 year increase to 1300. Many of it's portable classrooms are over 20 years old and need replacement.
La Mesa Jr. High - Built in 1995, La Mesa is nearly new. Already over capacity by at least 400 students. Portable classrooms currently encroach on much needed activity and assembly areas. Locker rooms and other student support facilities cannot accomodate all students. The wiring is already out of date and needs to be updated for technology. La Mesa needs additional science classrooms with labs, improved drainage and increased water pressure.
Arroyo Seco Jr. High - A California Distinguished School, was built in 1968 for 980 students. Current enrollment is over 1570. Campus uses 26 portable classrooms.
College of the Canyons, located in Valencia, offers certificate programs
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