News in Brief
Newbury Park snatches spot 134 in Newsweek top 500 high school ranking
Newbury Park was listed at 134 in Newsweek Magazine’s ranking of America’s top 500 high schools on September 8th, a 58-spot ascent from last year’s 192.
“We’re extremely proud,” said Principal Joshua Eby. “It shows the dedication of our students, teachers and parents in providing a successful academic atmosphere.”
This year, Newsweek partnered with research corporation Westat to judge over 2,000 U.S. public high schools based on the College Readiness Score, which considered enrollment and graduation rates, IB/AP and SAT/ACT test scores, counselor-to-student ratios and student attrition. Separately, schools were also recognized for success despite economic disadvantages.
Although Newsweek’s list is an affirmation of schools’ academic achievements, colleges do not always refer to it as a factor in deciding student admissions.
“We don’t necessarily take the school ranking into account,” said Marcos Garcia, assistant director of undergraduate admissions at University of Southern California, who attended College Night. “We take into account a student’s performance and application as a whole. We understand that not all schools have the same resources, curriculum or setting.”
Thousand Oaks High School was ranked 297th this year. Westlake High School was not on the list.
VC Innovates provides $13.2 million for career opportunities
The California Department of Education (CDE) awarded $13.2 million to Ventura college and high school districts, including Conejo Valley Unified, in order to expand job opportunities for high school students. The grant is called VC Innovates.
“The grant is giving us the opportunity to revamp our current classes and potentially add classes to existing (career) pathways,” said Nick Colangelo, career technical education coordinator and department chair. “Students will be given the opportunity to do a course sequence, graduate from high school, and feel like they have developed specific skills to a career.”
New high-tech equipment, dual college and high school credit, and extended classes will be provided for the Culinary Arts and Cabinet Making programs. VC Innovates will also hire advisory committees and liaisons to correspond between employers and students.
An estimated total of 35,366 high school students, whether they will be attending college or going directly to the workforce, will benefit from the VC Innovates grant.
