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WASC/CDE Joint Process

Self-Study Report

2005-2011

Submitted to

The Accrediting Commission for Secondary Schools

of the

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

and the

California Department of Education

Sonora High School

401 South Palm Street

La Habra, California 90631

(562) 266-2001

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SONORA HIGH SCHOOL

Focus on Learning

Table of Contents

Introduction Title Page ............................................................................................................. ii Table of Contents................................................................................................ iii Message from the Principal ................................................................................ iv Glossary .....................………...............................................................................v Visiting Committee................………............................................................... xiv Sonora Administration ........................................................................................xv

Chapter 1: Student/Community Profile and Supporting Data and Findings……….1 Chapter 2: Student/Community Profile: Overall Summary from Analysis of Profile Data …………………………………………………….71 Chapter 3: Progress Report.......................................................................................75 Chapter 4: Self-Study Findings…………………………………………………….83 Focus Group A: Organization: Vision and Purpose, Governance, Leadership and Staff, and Resources ..........................................85 Focus Group B: Standards-based Student Learning: Curriculum.........116 Focus Group C: Standards-based Student Learning: Instruction..........134 Focus Group D: Standards-based Student Learning: Assessment and Accountability……………..………………………………….. 153 Focus Group E: School Culture and Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth ....................................................................167 Chapter 5: Schoolwide Action Plan........................................................................187 Appendices....................................................................................................................192

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Glossary

Accelerated Math

The interactive, computer-based math program that allows students to work on the skills

upon which they need to focus . It is used as the curriculum in the Math Learning Lab classes.

Additionally, it is used in other math classes as enrichment to review or practice more advanced

concepts.

Advanced Reading

The intervention/support class that freshman and some sophmores take to help them

improve their reading level. Students with a CST ELA score of 1 or 2 are placed in the class.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

AVID is a support program designed to prepare students in the academic middle for four-

year college eligibility.

Agriculture

The Agriculture Program offers the freshman Ag Earth Science, sophmore Ag Biology,

junior Veterinary Science, and senior Ag Economics classes as the core classes. These classes

fulfill Science graduation requirements with the exception of Ag Economics which meets Social

Science. Additional Agriculture classes include Floriculture, Wood Shop, and Small Gas

Engines, all of which meet elective requirements.

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Algebra Foundations

A two year Algebra I program that covers the same standards as the traditional Algebra I

class but over a two year period.

Assistant Principal of Instruction and Operations (APIO)

This Assistant Principal’s main responsibilities include Master Schedule and Budget.

Assistant Principal of Pupil Services (APPS)

This Assistant Principal’s main responsibilities include Guidance and Special Education.

Assistant Principal of Student Affairs (APSA)

This Assistant Principal’s main responsibilities include Activities, Athletics, and

Discipline.

Autism Program

The Autism program addresses the needs of selected students with Autism throughout the

FJUHSD district. This is a specialty program designed to promote a student’s independent

working through organizing and structuring their environment. Research based strategies are

matched to the needs of students in order to improve their adaptation, skill enhancement, provide

meaningful outcomes, and ensure an optimal learning environment.

Best Buds

Best Buds pairs general education students with special needs students creating the

opportunity for one-on-one friendships outside of the program for students with intellectual and

developmental disabilities.

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Community Based Instruction (CBI)

CBI is an exemplary and model instructional program tailored to the individual needs of

students with disabilities. This program enhances positive outcomes for students through

pragmatic academics reflecting all domains of adult life, balanced curriculum content areas

based on California State Standards, home-school partnership, school-business collaborative,

inter-agency linkages, community involvement, and community based vocational experiences.

The curriculum database for the program is crafted out of the CAPA (California Alternate

Performance Assessment). CBI is a sustainable educational reform, which has increased the

access and quality of our educational services to ensure local delivery options for students and

their families, while improving positive student outcomes for adult living.

Conflict Management

Student led mediation for student conflicts.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

One of the IB diploma requirements is to voluntarily engage in Creativity, Action,

Service (CAS). Students must select a topic that is thematically integrated to their IB learner

profile. Once it is approved by IB, the student has two years to complete her/his 150 hours of

activities/services.

Dean of Academic Services

A teacher on Special Assignment that assists the administrators. Formerly known as

Dean of Attendance, this individual still helps monitor and oversee attendance related issues.

The position now also acts as the EL , Title I , and McKinney-Vento Coordinator.

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EL and Recent RFEP Counselor

The current counselor caseload has a counselor who is exclusively devoted to EL and

recently predestinated students. The cutoff for recent RFEPs is May of 2007.

Extended Essay (EE)

Each IB full diploma candidate must develop and investigate a research question related

to a topic of special interest in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum. The essay is written

under the direct supervision of a qualified faculty mentor at the school.

Extravaganza Show

A show consisting of skits written and presented by World Language and ELD students

in the target language.

Food Drive

The Food Drive is an annual holiday season event. In recent history, SOHS has annually

provided as many as 120 less fortunate local community families with provisions valued at more

than $25,000. This philanthropic endeavor is a huge undertaking that involves most SOHS

departments, clubs, and teams with the goal of providing sufficient food and household items to

last a month. Students take a very active role in the process personally raising the money,

collecting the food donations, purchasing the supplies at the local supermarket, and delivering

the bounty to the families. Many graduates report that the Food Drive is one of their favorite and

most memorable high school experiences.

Future Farmers of America (FFA)

FFA is a co-curricular club associated with the Agriculture Department. It teaches that

agriculture is more than planting and harvesting-- it's a science, it's a business and it's an art. FFA

helps members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of

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career pathways. Students raise and show animals, participate in the Home Building

competition, and/or do work experience to fulfill their FFA hours.

Human Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

HOSA is a co-curricular club associated with the Medical Careers Academy, and it is the

premier organization for student leaders preparing for careers in the healthcare industry. HOSA

is America's pipeline of future healthcare professionals, and is opened to all students who are

interested in learning more about a job in the medical field.

Humanities

A junior year cross-curricular program that aims to draw the connections between

American literature and U.S. History. The courses are taught thematically and the same time

period is covered concurrently.

IMPACT

IMPACT is a peer mentoring program. Assigned mentors meet with every freshman

once a month in groups of 3-5 to give them information about social activities, academics, and

other concerns. A registration barbecue starts off their first year of high school and helps them

meet people and feel connected as a Sonora Raider.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

An international honors program recognized by many colleges and universities for credit.

Students can test for individual certificates in isolated subjects or earn the full diploma. In order

to complete the diploma, students must take six different tests (three standard level and three

higher level), take Theory of Knowledge, complete an Extended Essay, and perform their

Creative, Action, Service community service hours.

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Integrated Science

The course integrates the four major sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth

science. It is taught at a conceptual level with the goal of 80% active-learning occurring within

the classroom environment. Offered freshman year, this course is an introduction to the full year

courses of biology, chemistry, and physics.

Introduction to Algebra Skills

A one semester class offered to students that are unsuccessful in Algebra Foundations IA.

Instead of allowing those unsuccessful students to move onto Algebra Foundations IB, students

take Introduction to Algebra Skills to focus on pre-algebraic concepts so they can be more

successful in Algebra Foundations IA the following year.

Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)

JROTC at Sonora is affiliated with the army and has as its mission to “motivate young

people to be better citizens”. Their purpose is to develop and enhance leadership skills and to

create good citizens. The class fulfills the physical education requirement.

March Olympics

An ASB sponsored yearly school spirit competition between the different grades and

staff. Participants compete in events as diverse as water balloon toss, pictionary, limbo, lip sync,

etc. The traditional events and activities are usually scheduled during the third week in March.

Math Learning Lab

The intervention/support class that freshman and some sophmores take to help them

improve their math skills. Students with a CST Math score of 1 or 2 are placed in the class.

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Medical Careers

The MCA is designed for students who have an interest in a career in the medical field.

In order to create a small learning community, courses are offered at each grade level, and

students take core curricular classes in science, history and English together,. Academy courses

focus on health, medical terminology, bodily disorders and diseases, and our capstone class is

Medical Assisting. Students who complete all the necessary components can earn a medical

assisting certificate upon graduation. Students must apply for admittance to the academy and

applications can be obtained from the front office.

La Vista High School (LVHS)

One of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD) Alternative Education

High Schools to which students may be referred when they fall behind on units. Upon getting

caught up, students are welcomed back to SOHS.

La Sierra High School (LSHS)

The other FJUHSD Alternative Education High School which includes both Independent

Study and the 9th and 10th grade Opportunity Program. Students may be referred to one of LSHS

programs when they fall behind on units. students are referred when they fall behind on units

and are welcomed back to SOHS upon getting caught up.

Opportunity Program

A accelerated unit recovery program offered to 9th and 10th grade students through La

Sierra High School.

Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)

A nine week program designed to help parents learn about high school and college

entrance requirements.

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Practical Math

A new math class created during this six year cycle. Can be used as the third year math

requirement.

Pre-IB Classes

Many of the 9th and 10th grade honors classes begin to prepare students for IB.

Read 180

The interactive reading program used in the higher Advanced Reading classes. Students

practice reading at their current level both with the computer software and with the program high

interest library. The program focuses more on the comprehension aspect of reading.

Reach Reading

The reading program used in the lower Advanced Reading classes. The program focuses

more on the decoding aspect of reading. These classes are blocked scheduled with certain

freshman English classes to help students be more successful.

Spring Fiesta

The Latino themed dance sponsored by the World Language Department, Spanish Club,

and MeChA. The proceeds go to help subsidize the cost of World Language AP tests.

Student Intervention Team (SIT)

The Student Intervention Team (SIT) at SOHS is a school-based, problem-solving group

designed to assist school staff and families in the development of interventions and strategies that

improve the learning and/or school adjustment of referred students. This team seeks creative

ways to maximize the use of available resources. The purpose of the SIT is to provide SOHS

with an efficient, effective and clearly defined procedure for providing assistance to teachers,

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students, and families. It is a collaboration model which provides a forum for routine and timely

problem solving.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

This IB course, which calls for an examination of the ways of proper thinking in different

disciplines, is taught senior year. It is an interdisciplinary requirement to stimulate critical

reflection on knowledge and experience gained inside or outside the classroom. It is a

requirement for the IB diploma.

Unit Recovery Program

Program developed to enable students to recover units lost due to unexcused absences.

Unsatisfactory Progress Reports (UPR)

Mailed home at the midpoint of each quarterly grading period for students that are

struggling academically.

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The Visiting Committee

Representing the

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

and

the California Department of Education

CHAIRPERSON

Mrs. Diane Sauvageau

Director Assessment and Technology

Charter Oak Unified School District

MEMBERS

Dr. William B. Davidson Ms. Mindy Davis

Assistant Principal Teacher

Long Beach Polytechnic High School Mt. Carmel High School

Mr. Joseph N. Granish Ms. Kimberly Marie Mac Kinney

Teacher/Dean of Students Director, Secondary Education

Birmingham Community Fontana Unified School District

Charter High School

Mr. Bill Moyer Dr. Nancy Padilla

Teacher Principal

Great Oak High School Nogales High School

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Sonora High School

Administrative Team

Mr. John Oldenburg, Principal

Mr. Gary Day, Assistant Principal, Instruction and Operations

Ms. Stephanie Henry, Assistant Principal, Pupil Services

Mr. Scott Edwards-Silvia , Assistant Principal, Student Affairs

Ms. Magdalena Villalba, Dean of Academic Services

Self-Study Team

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Self-Study Coordinator

Ms. Magdalena Villalba, Self-Study Coordinator