About Our School

Palos Verde and Via Del Campo are the two alternative sites for 9^th and 10^th graders in the San Juan District. Students are referred here by the Vice Principals of the comprehensive high schools for a variety of reasons, such as credit deficiency, poor attendance, and/or behavior issues, and are expected to demonstrate growth in all three areas while here.   Typically, Voluntary Transfers are here one semester, while Involuntary Transfers are with us the semester they enter plus one more, which may mean an entire year.  After that students have return rights to the comprehensive high school, however, the high school may reject the request to return if the student cannot show they have made substantial growth and improvement in the three areas.

We are very proud of how our program has grown over the years, and we teach to State Standards in 9^th and 10^th grade content areas. Students are expected to do rigorous grade level work that may include projects, reports, tests, homework and more. We offer 9^th and 10^th grade English, Algebra 1A, World History, Health, P.E., Earth Science, Computer Applications and Art, and we have a Tutorial class to help students catch up if they have fallen behind, as well as help prepare them for the CAHSEE. Almost 70% of our 10^th graders who took the exit exam last year passed, and we hope to reach an even higher number this year. 

We have enhanced the program through such little things like monthly Pizza Parties for students with 95% or better attendance, to bigger things like our increase in Technology in the classroom. Last year we were able to purchase lap-tops for the students to use in the classroom, and by the end of the year were able to “go wireless” .  It is very exciting to see students who once were not academically motivated fully engaged in the research or other projects they are doing.

Parental support and involvement is very important to high school students, and we invite the parents of our students to call to set a time to visit whether it is to discuss credits and graduation plans, or whether you would just like to see what we are doing.   If you would like to set a time to do this, or if you have any questions in general, please do not hesitate to call.