Central Valley High School (Ceres, California)

Central Valley High School (also known as Central Valley or CV) is an American public high school for students between the 9th and 12th grade. It is a large school, with over 1,500 students. It was founded in 2004 to help alleviate the enrollment stress on cross-town Ceres High School. ^[1]

Central Valley is located in Ceres, California in the Central Valley of California, and is the second high school in that city. The school curriculum is based on preparing all students for college with the graduation requirements matching the entry requirements of the University of California and California State University. The school offers 15 Advanced Placement courses with little prerequisite conditions in contrast to cross-town rival, Ceres High School, who offers less AP Courses and strict prerequisites. As of 2016, the school is ranked the best high school in Stanislaus County by the U.S. News and World Report magazine for a second year in a row. ^[2]

History

Central Valley High School is one of two traditional high school in the district. Built in 2004,^[1] it is fed by two junior high schools and seven elementary schools. The ethnic trend of increased numbers of Hispanic students continues, with 72.0% of students Hispanic, 18.0% White, 3.0% African-American, 1.0% American Indian, 5.0% Asian-American, 1.0% Pacific Islander, and 1.0% Filipino-American. The number of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch is 76.0%. 23.0% of the students are English learners. 4% of the students in the school are GATE students.^[3] The school is rated a 5 out of 10 for all schools in California. However, in schools similar to Central Valley High, the school is rated a 10 out of 10.^[4]

Campus

The Central Valley High School (CVHS) campus includes an agricultural technology shop, a newly built science wing (2011), soccer fields, tennis courts, multi-purpose room/cafeteria, a large capacity gymnasium and an administration building. CVHS students currently enjoy great features of this campus, that include: the latest technology for students in the computer labs and science classes, a state-of-the-art gymnasium with a sound system that rivals those at large stadiums, tennis courts and athletic facilities that are second to none in the area and a cafeteria that contains the largest refrigerators imaginable.^[1]

The CVHS library is a state-of-the-art facility that provides students a great place to study and learn. Recently, the library acquired comfortable oversized chairs for students to enjoy when seeking a quiet reading experience. A display case for student art work has been installed with plans to expand the display of student art work to the walls.^[1]

This modern library also provides students a large area for study that can accommodate over 70 students. 16 computers and 4 online catalogues give students convenient access to books in the library by title, subject or topic. The students also have access to color and black/white printers and a designated color copy machine. Future plans include, the addition of college pendants to hang from the ceiling representing the colleges graduating students attend.^[1]

Starting the 2012 – 2013 school year, Central Valley High School students began attending classes in a new two-story 16 classroom addition to the existing instructional wing. Science and technology are the focused areas of instruction for this addition. Science labs are designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences through the use of high-tech equipment and materials. This instructional wing is located on the north side of the cam¬pus, adjacent to the existing library building. Students and staff are able to access the building from the library or through exterior entrances.^[1]

Academics

Central Valley High School has three levels of classes. The first is College Prep (CP), the second is Honors/Advance and the third is Advanced Placement. Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) are completely voluntarily while College Prep are mandatory and the lowest level of classes available at Central Valley. The following AP classes are available at Central Valley High School: AP European History, AP US History, AP United States Government and Politics, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Studio Art, AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science and AP Psychology. Students have the option of taking up to six AP courses depending on their scheduling needs but they must take the end of the year exam for each AP class.

Rankings

Central Valley High School was ranked the number one high school in Stanislaus County and the 301 best high school in the state of California by the 2015 U.S. News & World Report high school rankings. ^[5]

References