GATE EDUCATION
GATE at Valencia High School
GATE students at Valencia High School are eligible to participate in two specialized programs in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. They include the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the Val Tech program.
Students selected for the International Baccalaureate Program complete an intense course of study that includes a special course in Theory of Knowledge, a 4,000-word essay on a subject of each student's special interest and six internationally graded examinations from Language Arts, Foreign Language, Individuals and Society, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Arts and Electives.
Additionally, students must participate in a variety of extracurricular Creativity, Action and Service activities. While each IB diploma candidate pursues an individualized program, students share an academic experience that emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding and personal growth.
The Val Tech program is for students with special interest and aptitude for technology. The program requires 240 credits for graduation, including a minimum of 50 credits in technology from such pathways as Media, Design, and Entertainment, Business/Finance, Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT includes Cyber Security, Networking and Robotics.
A 150-hour internship during the summer between the junior and senior year or during the senior year culminates in a research project and presentation. Information about the International Baccalaureate program is available by contacting Dr. Nancy Watkins or the IB Coordinator, Fred Jenkins. Information about the Val Tech program is available by contacting Dr. Nancy Watkins or Val Tech Coordinator, Mike Guest.
In addition to these specialized programs, Valencia High School proudly offers one of the most comprehensive Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings in all of Orange County. 28 courses in disciplines including Social Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, World Language, Computer Science, and Fine Arts provide students with a wide array of options for taking college level courses while in high school. Valencia High School also takes great pride in their pass rate on the AP exams, which consistently surpasses county, state and national averages. In 2016, VHS administered 1489 exams on site with an 87% pass rate.
We also offer robust extra-curricular opportunities outside of the classroom. GATE students may participate in academic competitions like OC Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, FBLA, FIRST Robotics, Cyber Patriots, Chemistry Olympiad and Science Olympiad as well as sports, clubs and activities. These opportunities for competition provide students with rich opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge, talents, and skills.
Students may be recognized for outstanding academic achievement as members of the National Honors Society (NHS) or the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) and may be honored as Distinguished Scholars or Collegiate Scholars at our annual spring academic awards night.
Valencia High School is proud to offer a variety of programs to meet the unique needs of its GATE students. One core value at VHS is high expectations in a nurturing environment.
Valencia High School (714-996-4970)
Contacts:
Nancy Watkins, Ed.D. Academy Director, Asst. Principal ext.10003 [email protected]
Fred Jenkins International Baccalaureate Coordinator ext. 10044 [email protected]
Mike Guest Val Tech Coordinator ext. 10045 [email protected]
