1. Venice High School 100 Years of Academic Excellence

2. THE VENICE HIGH SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES (SAS)

3. In 1998, responding to community demand, the Los Angeles Unified School District established the Advanced Studies Program to expand instructional programs designed to meet the needs of gifted and talented students.

4. Based on Venice High’s already established success in offering Advanced Placement and Honors courses, the school was selected as a “Phase 1” implementation and demonstration site. We were again approved last year after all LAUSD schools were required to re-apply for SAS status.

5. The Venice High School SAS is set up to meet the needs of Gifted and Talented (GATE) students and high-performing students from the large regular-school population. Because they are not part of the STEMM or Foreign Language Magnet, they have more room in their schedules to pursue sports and other extracurricular interests.

6. Eligibility The SAS program is offered to LAUSD resident students in Grades 1-12 who meet the criteria. Each student must be verified by the school of attendance as meeting one of the following three criteria: (1) -- Demonstrate ability in all four critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in their primary language. The SAS program is offered to LAUSD resident students in Grades 1-12 who meet the criteria. Each student must be verified by the school of attendance as meeting one of the following three criteria: (1) -- Demonstrate ability in all four critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in their primary language. Explain meanings or relationships among facts, information, or concepts that demonstrate depth and complexity. Explain meanings or relationships among facts, information, or concepts that demonstrate depth and complexity. Formulate new ideas or solutions and elaborate on the information. Formulate new ideas or solutions and elaborate on the information. Use alternative methods in approaching new or unfamiliar mathematical problems. Use alternative methods in approaching new or unfamiliar mathematical problems. Use extensive vocabulary easily and accurately to express creative ideas. Use extensive vocabulary easily and accurately to express creative ideas. (2) --Percentile scores of 85 or above in both total reading and total mathematics on standardized norm-reference tests or --Scaled scores on the California Standards Test (CST) as follows: (2) --Percentile scores of 85 or above in both total reading and total mathematics on standardized norm-reference tests or --Scaled scores on the California Standards Test (CST) as follows: A scaled score of 445 or above in English-Language Arts, grades 2-11 and A scaled score of 445 or above in English-Language Arts, grades 2-11 and A scaled score of 450 or above in mathematics, grades 2-7 or A scaled score of 450 or above in mathematics, grades 2-7 or A scaled score of 450 or above for grades 8 and above in one of the following math content courses: Algebra I or II; Geometry; Integrated Math I, II or III; High School Summative Math. A scaled score of 450 or above for grades 8 and above in one of the following math content courses: Algebra I or II; Geometry; Integrated Math I, II or III; High School Summative Math. (3) Identification as gifted in any of the categories by an LAUSD school psychologist. (3) Identification as gifted in any of the categories by an LAUSD school psychologist.

7. SAS at Venice High School Students who live in the Venice High School environs and meet the criteria listed on the previous slide are automatically included in the SAS Students who live in the Venice High School environs and meet the criteria listed on the previous slide are automatically included in the SAS Students who live outside the Venice High School environs, but live within the LAUSD boundaries may apply for admittance. Students who live outside the Venice High School environs, but live within the LAUSD boundaries may apply for admittance. Transportation is not provided, however. Transportation is not provided, however.

8. Applications Again, eligible students who live within the Venice High School environs do not need to apply for the VHS SAS. Again, eligible students who live within the Venice High School environs do not need to apply for the VHS SAS. Other LAUSD students may apply between April 2 nd, and April 30th and for as long as we have spaces left. Other LAUSD students may apply between April 2 nd, and April 30th and for as long as we have spaces left. Applications are available at the student’s current school or go to the VHS SAS page to print one out. Applications are available at the student’s current school or go to the VHS SAS page to print one out. Hand in the application to Ms. Ruth Greene or to Ms. Oku in the attendance office. Hand in the application to Ms. Ruth Greene or to Ms. Oku in the attendance office. Check the SAS page on the VHS website for updates: www.venicehigh.net Check the SAS page on the VHS website for updates: www.venicehigh.net www.venicehigh.net You may also consult the LAUSD GATE website: www.lausd.net and type in GATE You may also consult the LAUSD GATE website: www.lausd.net and type in GATE www.lausd.net

9. Unlike private schools and smaller publically- funded schools, Venice High School’s size makes it possible to offer a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. The VHS course and extracurricular offerings are among the broadest at any school in Southern California, ranging from Italian to Advanced Placement Physics, art to choir, water polo to golf. The VHS course and extracurricular offerings are among the broadest at any school in Southern California, ranging from Italian to Advanced Placement Physics, art to choir, water polo to golf.

10. SAS students can challenge their intellects by taking AP and Honors classes. VHS offers Honors classes such as: Honors English 9A/B Honors English 10A/B Honors Contemporary Composition Honors American Literature Advanced Composition Honors US History Honors Geometry Honors Algebra 2A/B Honors Trigonometry/ Math Analysis Honors Physiology Honors Biology

11. And Advanced Placement (AP) classes such as: AP English Language & Composition AP English Literature & Composition AP World History AP Us History AP Government AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Music Theory AP Studio Art AP Art History AP Spanish Language AP Calculus AB/BC

12. VHS SAS students may challenge their bodies by joining sports teams. We offer: GolfTennisWater Polo SwimmingFootballBasketball VolleyballSoccerBaseball SoftballTrackCross-country CheerleadingDrill TeamDiving

13. VHS SAS students may develop personal interests and find friends by joining clubs such as:JK Living The Jewish Student UnionMEChA The Recycling ClubBest Buddies Help for the HandiChinese Club Black Student UnionFrench Club Christian ClubPaintball Club Chatelaines & EsquiresGay-Straight Alliance German ClubGraphics Club Heal the BayHealth Club Heart 2 HeartJapanese Club Knights & LadiesModel Congress Korean ClubLibrary Book Club MESAMulti-Cultural Student Union One WorldRenaissance Club Robotics ClubStudents Run LA Tolerance ClubUltimate Frisbee Club Pre-Med ClubHockey Club Dance ClubPoetry Club

14. Academic Competitions VHS SAS students may elect to complete in academic competitions such as: Model Congress The Science Bowl Academic Decathlon National Journalism Convention Sports Medicine MESA Graphic Arts The National Council of Teachers of English Writing Competition

15. ELECTIVES: As part of the regular school, students have room in their schedules to develop interests by enrolling in elective classes. We offer: Marching BandArt TheaterGraphic Arts MusicChoir LandscapeJournalism Medical TerminologySports Therapy Auto TechAVID YearbookLeadership Library PracticePeer Counseling

16. The American High School Experience Because of our size VHS’s students’ participate in all of the rituals that go along with being an American Teenager. Prom Homecoming Game Homecoming Dance

17. ACADEMIC SUPPORT VHS offers : After school tutoring programs on campus AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination Upward Bound Collaborations with: 826LA The Boys and Girls Club KCET LACMA SPARC UCLA EAOP – Early Academic Outreach Program Corporate Sponsorships Communities in Schools

18. COLLEGE OFFICE Dedicated College Counselor Help with applying for college Students meet with college representatives Help with Financial Aid College Fairs Student Recognition Night Presentations in Classrooms Meetings with Students and Parents College Application and Financial Aid Workshops

19. As a result of the wide range of choices available to our students, Venice High School’s well- rounded graduates annually gain admission to top universities and colleges including: As a result of the wide range of choices available to our students, Venice High School’s well- rounded graduates annually gain admission to top universities and colleges including: CornellDartmouthU Penn CornellDartmouthU Penn BrownYaleStanford BrownYaleStanford UCLAUC BerkeleyMIT UCLAUC BerkeleyMIT UCSBUCSDPrinceton UCSBUCSDPrinceton LMUHarvardCal Tech LMUHarvardCal Tech JuilliardWash UCalPoly Pomona JuilliardWash UCalPoly Pomona USFUCDSan Diego State USFUCDSan Diego State

20. VHS SAS students are taught by highly qualified teachers. VHS SAS students are taught by highly qualified teachers. VHS teachers are certified for instruction in their content areas. VHS teachers are certified for instruction in their content areas. Teachers assigned SAS Honors and Advanced Placement courses complete a further 16 hours of rigorous training in AP and/or GATE subject matter each year. Teachers assigned SAS Honors and Advanced Placement courses complete a further 16 hours of rigorous training in AP and/or GATE subject matter each year. Nine Venice teachers have achieved National Board Certification. Nine Venice teachers have achieved National Board Certification. Many private and publically-funded schools do not have to conform to these standards. Many private and publically-funded schools do not have to conform to these standards.

21. Jupiter Grades Most Venice High Teachers are using an on-line grading program called Jupiter Grades. Students and parents can check grades by logging on to the site at any time. Students and Parents can receive notifications when an assignment has not been turned in. Teachers can email parents through the program. Teachers can post assignments and upload directions and handouts on the site.

22. Computers Students have access to computers – – –in our library – –in our computer labs – –in individual classrooms – –in Super Shop 9 – the Graphic Arts classroom

23. SAS Student Spotlight Many of the VHS SAS scholars are part of the football team. Alijah Lee is a running back for the varsity football team in addition to being enrolled in honors and AP classes. As a junior, he is already receiving recruitment letters from major universities who are looking for brains as well as brawn. One of the most recent letters came from UC "Cal" Berkeley. In the 2012/13 football season, Alijah scored 25 touchdowns. He also has a 4.0. No wonder "Cal" wants him! Alijah is enrolled in Honors Contemporary Composition, & AP US History. In 9 th grade he took Honors English 9, and in 10 th he took Honors English 10 & World History.

24. SAS Student Spotlight Many SAS students are leaders in their communities. Lillian Horin is an SAS student who has made an impact on the Los Angeles community. She has earned more than 1000 hours of community service, is a member of Model Congress, and is currently the President of the Gay-Straight Alliance. For her impact, she was awarded the ABC7 “Cool Kids” Award in 2010, and was 1 st Place for the Tony Borbon Youth Scholarship (for Preventing Violence) in 2012. She is currently a Posse Foundation Semi-Finalist. As a 12 th grader, Lillian is currently enrolled in AP Government, AP Psychology, and AP Studio Art. In 11 th grade, she took English Language, AP Chemistry, and Honors US History. In 10 th grade she took Honors World History and Honors Spanish III.

25. The Venice faculty is committed to innovative reform while at the same time maintaining proven traditions of academic excellence. VHS teachers are in the process of developing Small Learning Communities modeled on the “school within a school” concept.

26. The SLC “school within a school” concept helps students who may have previously felt lost in a large school population forge connections with teachers and other students. The SLC “school within a school” concept helps students who may have previously felt lost in a large school population forge connections with teachers and other students. Students will have the benefit of a small school, while also having access to the numerous course offerings and extracurricular activities available at a large school. Students will have the benefit of a small school, while also having access to the numerous course offerings and extracurricular activities available at a large school.

27. The VHS small learning communities are: The VHS small learning communities are: MEDIA – Media, Entertainment, Drama, Industry, and the Arts PAHHS- Public Affairs, Health, and Human Services

28. MEDIA Media, Entertainment, Drama, Industry, & the Arts Media, Entertainment, Drama, Industry, & the Arts MEDIA teachers will infuse media throughout the curriculum by: MEDIA teachers will infuse media throughout the curriculum by: –using technology/media whenever possible to deliver instruction. –assigning projects that incorporate media products. –emphasizing Media Literacy in all the MEDIA SLC classes. MEDIA students will explore interests in media, entertainment, drama, industry and the arts by taking elective classes such as drama, journalism, art, graphics arts, yearbook, music, choir, etc.

29. PAHHS Public Affairs, Health Public Affairs, Health & Human services PAHHS is dedicated to building a community of diverse and talented learners, promoting civic engagement, and developing leadership in fields of health & human services.

30. GATE & SAS students will be spread throughout the honors and AP classes within the small learning communities. GATE & SAS students will be spread throughout the honors and AP classes within the small learning communities. If an honors or AP class is not offered in the SLC, the GATE and/or SAS students will enroll in a passport class populated with students from all the academies and SLC’s. If an honors or AP class is not offered in the SLC, the GATE and/or SAS students will enroll in a passport class populated with students from all the academies and SLC’s.

31. The College Fair Venice High School’s large SAS population is attractive to colleges. We hold college fairs annually. Venice High School’s large SAS population is attractive to colleges. We hold college fairs annually.