CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS TO WATCH
California Schools to Watch is a statewide program implemented by the California League
of Educators, California Department of Education, California Middle Grades Alliance, National Forum, and the California Schools to Watch model schools.
Redesignated: 2019
Designated 2016
Las Virgenes Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Eric Anhalt, Principal
5844 Larboard Lane, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
818-889-2134
School Characteristics
Community: Suburban; Enrollment: 1066; Grades: 6-7-8; School Schedule: Six-period day with twenty-minute intervention/enrichment period and optional zero period. Early release day on Wednesday to allow for teacher collaboration.
School Demographics
0.01% American Indian/Native American; 6% Asian/Asian American; 1.6% Black/African American; 1.4% Filipino/Filipino American; 7% Hispanic/Latino; 62% White; 21% Other; 4% Free/Reduced Lunch; 12% English Learners
Replicable Practices
Early release day provides one hour weekly for collaboration by departments or grade levels. Additional collaboration time provided through monthly faculty meetings, district release days, and conference attendance.
Intervention/enrichment/study hall provided during daily embedded Cougar Achievement Time. Additional skill-based classes are offered during the school day for students in need of additional intervention.
Zero-period offering allows access to electives for students in intervention.
School provides computers for every sixth and seventh grade student. In 2016-17, as part of the “technology for learning” plan, all students will be issued computers.
All departments embraced the school goal in literacy, and enhanced their curriculum to address Common Core reading/writing/speaking expectations.
Visual and performing arts are consistently superior and students perform in a variety of venues in the community and beyond.
Students engage in group assignments/projects in all subject areas, often across disciplines.
Teachers new to the school are supported through assigned mentors they meet with weekly, attending relevant training, and working with the school Induction Coordinator.