Executive Summary School Accountability Report Card, 2005-06

 

For Palmdale High School   

 

 Address:

 2137 East Avenue R, Palmdale CA 93550-5415   

 Phone Number:

 (661) 273-3181   

 Principal:

 Eric Riegert

 Grade Span:

 9-12   

 

This executive summary of the School Accountability Report Card (SARC) is intended to provide parents and community members with a quick snapshot of school accountability. The data presented in this report are reported for the 2005-06 school year, except the School Finances and School Completion data that are reported for the 2004-05 school year. For additional information about the school, parents and community members should review the entire SARC or contact the school principal or the district office.

 

About This School

     Our mission is to provide a safe and secure learning environment that promotes a rigorous curriculum and enables our students to develop the necessary academic, technical, and work-related skills of the 21st century. Every student who graduates will be prepared to pursue college or any career to which he/she aspires.

     PHS is one of seven comprehensive high schools serving students in the Antelope Valley. Established in 1957, PHS was originally built to serve 1,200 students and now serves approximately 3,500 students. Located in northern Los Angeles County, Palmdale High School covers 80 acres in central Palmdale. The city of Palmdale, with its diverse population of 200,000 residents, is home to the aerospace industry and a burgeoning home construction industry. Many new Palmdale residents have relocated from the Los Angeles area making Palmdale High School’s student population economically, linguistically and ethnically diverse.

     The school is currently staffed with over 100 classified employees whose responsibilities range from providing attendance monitoring to scheduling Individualized Education Program meetings. The school administration is comprised of 6 administrators (Principal, Assistant Principal, Vice Principal of Activities, Vice-Principal of Athletics, Vice-Principal of Special Education & Vice-Principal of Special Programs), an Athletic Director, an Activities Director, six counselors, two psychologists, and a Director of Security.

     Creating and enhancing a positive atmosphere for learning is of primary importance to Palmdale High School. To that end, academics, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and athletics are highly encouraged.  The broad emphasis is premised on the notion that students who are involved in activities available at the school site are more successful in their academic studies. 

 

 

Student Enrollment
 

 Group 

 Enrollment 

 Number of Students

3407    

 African American   

21.5 % 

 American Indian or Alaska Native   

0.5 % 

 Asian   

0.9 % 

 Filipino   

1.4 % 

 Hispanic or Latino   

56.9 % 

 Pacific Islander   

0.3 % 

 White (Not Hispanic)   

18.4 % 

 Multiple or No Response   

0.2 % 

 Socioeconomically Disadvantaged   

45.3 % 

 English Learners   

25.0 % 

 Students with Disabilities   

16.0 % 

 

Teachers
 

 Indicators 

 Teachers 

 Teachers With Full Credential   

103 

 Teachers Without Full Credential   

26 

 Teachers Teaching Outside   
   Subject Area of Competence

29 

 Misassignments of Teachers   
   of English Learners

22 

 Total Teacher Misassignments   

47 


 School Facilities
 

Summary of Most Recent Site Inspection

 According to the Williams Act Site Inspection, we needed to be sure all Williams Act posters were posted in all rooms and the all rooms had fire extinguishers.

 

Repairs Needed

 None. All repairs rectified.

 

Corrective Actions Taken or Planned

 None needed.



Curriculum and Instructional Materials
 

 
 
 
 Core Curriculum Areas

 Pupils Who Lack
Textbooks and
Instructional
Materials

 Reading/Language Arts

  0%  

 Mathematics

  0%  

 Science

  0%  

 History-Social Science

  0%  

 Foreign Language

  0%  

 Health

  0%  

 Science Laboratory Equipment   
   (grades 9-12)

  0%  

 

School Finances
 

 
 
 
 Level

 Expenditures
Per Pupil
(Unrestricted
Sources Only)

 School Site         

$3,734

 District

$4,829

 State 

$4,743

 

Student Performance
 

 
 
 
 Subject

 Students Proficient
and Above on
California
Standards Tests

 English-Language Arts   

29 

 Mathematics   

7 

 Science   

17 

 History-Social Science   

26 

 

Academic Progress
 

 
 
 
 Indicator

 
 
 
    Result    

 2006 API Growth Score   
   (from 2006 API Growth Report)

 633

 Statewide Rank   
   (from 2005 API Base Report)   

 2

 2006-07 Program Improvement Status   

 In PI

 

School Completion
 

 
 Indicator 

 
 Result 

 Graduation Rate   

69.7%

 

Postsecondary Preparation
 

 
 Measures

 
 Percent 

 Pupils Who Completed a Career 
   Technical Education Program and 
   Earned a High School Diploma   

84%   

 Graduates Who Completed All Courses 
   Required for University of California 
   and/or California State University 
   Admission   

 17.5

 


    School Accountability Report Card    
  Reported for School Year 2005-06  
Published During 2006-07

 

The School Accountability Report Card (SARC), which is required by law to be published annually, contains information about the condition and performance of each California public school. More information about SARC requirements is available at the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/sa/. For additional information about the school, parents and community members should contact the school principal or the district office. DataQuest, an online data tool at http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/, contains additional information about this school and comparisons of the school to the district, the county, and the state.


I. About This School

Contact Information
This section provides the school's contact information.

School

District

 School Name

 Palmdale High

 District Name

 Antelope Valley Union High

 Street

 2137 East Avenue R

 Phone Number

  (661) 948-7655

 City, State, Zip

 Palmdale, CA    93550-5415

 Web Site

  www.avdistrict.org

 Phone Number

  (661) 273-3181

 Superintendent

  Dr. David Vierra

 Principal

 Eric Riegert

 SARC Contact

  Ken Scott

 E-mail Address

  eriegert@avhsd.org

 E-mail Address

  kscott@avhsd.org


School Description and Mission Statement
This section provides information about the school's goals and programs.

  Mission Statement

     Our mission is to provide a safe and secure learning environment that promotes a rigorous curriculum and enables our students to develop the necessary academic, technical, and work-related skills of the 21st century. Every student who graduates will be prepared to pursue college or any career to which he/she aspires.

 

 

School Description

     PHS is one of seven comprehensive high schools serving students in the Antelope Valley. Established in 1957, PHS was originally built to serve 1,200 students and now serves approximately 3,500 students. Located in northern Los Angeles County, Palmdale High School covers 80 acres in central Palmdale. The city of Palmdale, with its diverse population of 200,000 residents, is home to the aerospace industry and a burgeoning home construction industry. Many new Palmdale residents have relocated from the Los Angeles area making Palmdale High School’s student population economically, linguistically and ethnically diverse.

 

     The school is currently staffed with over 100 classified employees whose responsibilities range from providing attendance monitoring to scheduling Individualized Education Program meetings. The school administration is comprised of 6 administrators (Principal, Assistant Principal, Vice Principal of Activities, Vice-Principal of Athletics, Vice-Principal of Special Education & Vice-Principal of Special Programs), an Athletic Director, an Activities Director, six counselors, two psychologists, and a Director of Security.

 

     Creating and enhancing a positive atmosphere for learning is of primary importance to Palmdale High School. To that end, academics, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and athletics are highly encouraged.  The broad emphasis is premised on the notion that students who are involved in activities available at the school site are more successful in their academic studies. 

 

     Students at Palmdale High School are provided access to a multitude of specialized programs, which include:

    

The special programs available:

•           Visual and Performing Arts Academy

•           Health Careers Academy

•           Agriculture Science Programs

•           World Renown Band and Choir

•           Highly Successful Athletics Programs

•           Comprehensive English Learners Program

•           Comprehensive Special Education Program
 
 


Opportunities for Parental Involvement
This section provides information about opportunities for parents to become involved with school activities.

 Our parent volunteers are considered vital to the Palmdale High School student experience. They routinely provide in excess of 5,000 hours of support services each year. The requirements to serve as a volunteer are: (1) Pass a Tuberculosis test  (2) Submit fingerprint cards  (3) Supply two references (4) Complete an application & interview & (5) Receive approval from the Board of Trustees.

Additional Parent Driven Programs:

*           Athletics Boosters

*           Activities Boosters

*           English Language Advisory Council

*           School Site Council

*           Parent College Information Nights

*           Parent Compute Training Nights

 

      Though not all our parents engage in volunteerism, our students benefit greatly from their participation in their academic achievement and co-curricular activities. Our parents frequently attend parent/teacher conferences, financial aid workshops, college awareness events, theatrical performances and athletic contests.  
 
 




Student Enrollment by Grade Level
This table displays the number of students enrolled in each grade level at the school.

 Grade Level

 Number of Students

 Grade 9

982 

 Grade 10

946 

 Grade 11

709 

 Grade 12

770 

 Ungraded Secondary

0 

 Total Enrollment

3407 


Student Enrollment by Group
This table displays the percent of students enrolled at the school who are identified as being in a particular group.

 Group

 Percent of
Total Enrollment

 Group

 Percent of
Total Enrollment

 African American

21.5 

 White (not Hispanic)

18.4 

 American Indian or Alaska Native

0.5 

 Multiple or No Response

0.2 

 Asian

0.9 

 Socioeconomically Disadvantaged

45.3 

 Filipino

1.4 

 English Learners

25.0 

 Hispanic or Latino

56.9 

 Students with Disabilities

16.0 

 Pacific Islander

0.3 

 ---

 ---


Average Class Size and Class Size Distribution (Elementary)
This table displays by grade level the average class size and the number of classrooms that fall into each size category (a range of total students per classroom).

 Grade
Level

 2003-04

 2004-05

 2005-06

 Avg.
Class
Size

Number of
Classrooms

 Avg.
Class
Size

Number of
Classrooms

 Avg.
Class
Size

Number of
Classrooms

 1-20

 21-32

 33+

 1-20

 21-32

 33+

 1-20

 21-32

 33+

 3-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4-8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Other

 8.3

 19

 

 

 8.0

 19

 

 

 10.5

 24

 

 


Average Class Size and Class Size Distribution (Secondary)
This table displays by subject area the average class size and the number of classrooms that fall into each size category (a range of total students per classroom).

 Subject

 2003-04

 2004-05

 2005-06

 Avg.
Class
Size

Number of
Classrooms

 Avg.
Class
Size

Number of
Classrooms

 Avg.
Class
Size

Number of
Classrooms

 1-20

 21-32

 33+

 1-20

 21-32

 33+

 1-20

 21-32

 33+

 English

 30.8

 5

 53

 45

 31.4

 10

 33

 54

 30.6

 15

 25

 59

 Mathematics

 32.3

 1

 34

 52

 31.6

 3

 40

 45

 32.4

 2

 37

 46

 Science

 32.5

 

 24

 34

 31.7

 2

 29

 29

 32.4

 

 25

 34

 Social Science

 35.1

 

 10

 48

 35.1

 1

 6

 38

 33.8

 2

 8

 34



II. School Climate

School Safety Plan
This section provides information about the school's comprehensive safety plan.

 To help provide a safe and secure learning environment, the school security staff includes a Director of Security, a full time Los Angeles County Sheriff, Probation Officer, a Community Attendance Worker (Truancy Officer), and a team of ten Campus Security Officers. The school security staff works proactively with instructional staff to maintain a safe campus. Our campus supervisors are expected to: (1) provide supervision prior to the commencement of each school day (2) provide conflict resolution services (3) respond to classroom disruptions (4) prevent student misbehavior, (5) respond to school emergencies and (6) to assist with attendance related issues.

 

Gang related activity, affiliation or dress, and drug use and/or possession, and any violent behavior or acts of intimidation will not be tolerated on campus. Violations of school rules are dealt with according to CA ED Code 48900. Suspensions may range up to five days for the most severe infractions. Under specific provisions of CA ED Code Section 48915, recommendations may be made to expel a student from the Antelope Valley Union High School District. PHS updates the School Safety Plan yearly as required by Senate Bill 187.


 
 


School Discipline Practices
This section provides information about the school's efforts to create and maintain a positive learning environment, including the school's use of disciplinary strategies.

 PHS maintains a safe campus by following a consistent and fair discipline process that fosters a positive learning climate. The Falcon Assertive Discipline chart outlines progressive disciplinary actions for common campus violations. The chart is posted in most offices and classrooms throughout campus. In addition, the disciplinary chart is given to all incoming students and provided in the student handbook.
 
 


Suspensions and Expulsions
This table displays the rate of suspensions and expulsions (the total number of incidents divided by the total enrollment) at the school and district levels for the most recent three-year period.

 Rate

 School

 District

 2003-04

 2004-05

 2005-06

 2003-04

 2004-05

 2005-06

 Suspensions

21.2

20.1

24.7<