USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT LAHS
1. Open Campus
LAHS has an “open campus” which means that students are free to come and go anytime they are not assigned to be in class. Students must still be signed in/out by a parent for doctor appointments, etc. The caveat is that the attendance policy is very strict for absences and for tardies. A student going off campus for lunch, for example, needs to be careful to return to the next period without being tardy. Freshmen and sophomores are strongly encouraged to stay on campus during lunch. There is a cafeteria and a lunch cart, but many students bring lunch from home.
2. Daily Schedule
There is a zero period that begins at 7:20am on a normal day. Marching Band is zero period, but most other freshmen do not have a zero period. The last period is 7th period, ending at 3:30pm on a normal day. Freshmen take either 6 or 7 courses, so it could be that your student will not have a 7th period and will get out at 2:35pm. Wednesdays are late start, just like at Egan (except for zero period). Block scheduling means that on Wednesdays students have only their odd periods and Thursday their even periods. This allows for a longer class session on those days; ideal for science labs, etc. Please note that LAHS does *not* have the whole Thanksgiving week off; just Thursday and Friday. The December break is longer, however, than LASD.
3. Open Enrollment Policy
A few years ago students could not enroll in AP/Honors courses without a certain GPA in pre-requisite courses. They have done away with this policy and any student willing to take on the workload of these courses may register. Students requesting Honors or AP classes will need to sign a contract that they understand the amount of homework involved (up to 2 hours of homework nightly).
4. Extra-Curricular Activities
Sports and music take on more intensity at the high school level. Try-outs, camps, practices and other mandatory activities for participation can span weekends, later into school nights and also school scheduled holiday periods. Plan your family time and vacations accordingly and balance with the academic load. Be informed about the commitments of each program before committing. LAHS has 50+ clubs and students are encouraged to join one or more. They typically meet once per month at lunchtime and are a great way to get involved. LAHS holds a “club day” in mid-September for students to learn about all the clubs.
5. Marching Band
Parents often have questions about marching band, so this is a quick overview. Freshmen begin practicing with the marching band the week before school starts. Practices are every day from about 1-9pm with a mini-performance and a fun barbeque on the Saturday before school starts. Students go away to band camp from Friday (mid-day) to Sunday a week after school starts. In the fall, they practice every school day beginning at 6:55am and after school on Tuesdays & Thursdays until 6pm. It is possible that freshmen do not play the drums in the marching band, but you should double-check with LAHS. Marching band apparently ends in late November.
6. Academic Assistance
LAHS has a tutorial center that can be a fabulous resource for academic tutoring. Many dedicated volunteers staff the center throughout the day (including after school) and can help your student with any subject. Each student is assigned a guidance counselor (the same one for all 4 years) who can help students with course selection, progress towards graduation, summer opportunities and more. All students meet with their counselor at least one time per year and parents are encouraged to attend. There are 6 counselors at LAHS. Students are also assigned to an assistant principal based on their last name. LAHS has 3 assistant principals. There are parent/teacher conferences in early November where you have appointments after school with up to 4 teachers; each conference lasting about 15 minutes.
7. Athletics & PE
Students who are on LAHS athletic teams as freshmen are exempt from PE during those seasons. If students indicate on their registration that they will try out for 2 teams, they will probably be given 7th period PE so it can be dropped from their schedule easily. Dance team does not count as a team sport. LAHS requires 2 years of PE for graduation. There are many sports available at LAHS. Example:
- Fall Season: Boys/Girls Cross Country, Girls Field Hockey, Football, Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Boys/Girls Water Polo
- Winter Season: Boys/Girls Basketball, Boys/Girls Soccer, Wrestling
- Spring Season: Badminton, Baseball, Golf, Girls Gymnastics, Softball, Boys/Girls Swimming and Diving, Boys Tennis, Boys/Girls Track.
8. Lockers
Freshmen and sophomores are guaranteed a locker on campus. Juniors and seniors who do not receive a parking pass are eligible for any extra lockers.
9. Spirit Events
Each graduating class is assigned a color and students are encouraged to wear that color on spirit days. The first spirit day is either the first or second Friday of school so there may be a quick shopping trip that week if your student doesn’t already have clothes in their class color. (The class of 2011 is orange but we don’t know 2012 color yet.) Homecoming week is in early October and is a week full of spirit events. There are 3 minimum days, a dance and a big football game.
10. MVLA High School Foundation
Similar to Los Altos Education Foundation (LAEF), the MVLA Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides grants to support key programs that support our student’ academic success that would not otherwise be funded. Class size reduction for 9th grade English, online access to class assignments and grades are just a few of the programs supported by the MVLA Foundation. Parents are asked to donate $700 per student.
11. University of California Admissions requirements, “A-G”
You will hear reference to “A to G” frequently at high schools. This refers to the UC requirements for admission listed as “A-G” courses. The UC Admissions site has the full listing. Summary of “A-G”:
- a) History/Social Science – 2 years required
- b) English – 4 years required
- c) Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended
- d) Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 years recommended
- e) Language other than English - 2 years required, 3 years recommended
- f) Visual and performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year required
- g) College-Preparatory Electives – 1 year required