What we offer

Finance and Business

The Finance and Business Pathway promises to provide a challenging learning environment that encourages high expectations for success through multiple learning styles. These teachers are dedicated to developing the skills of their students to best support them in the competitive business world. The program promotes individual responsibility, ethical decision-making, and opportunities to grow in the business environment. Each student is exposed to opportunities to learn how to succeed in their future business endeavors. Upon graduation, students will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and tools, necessary to be successful in the increasingly complex global economy. As part of the many changes in recent course offerings, the Finance and Business Academy ended its role as an academy transitioned to that of a pathway starting in the 2016-17 school year. Courses to complete: Digital Media, and Marketing, Accounting, and Introduction to Personal Finance.

Sports & Health Occupation Education (S.H.O.E.)

The Sports and Health Occupation Education (SHOE) is a 10th-13th year medical pathway that works in conjunction with the U.S Department of Labor Youth Career Connect (YCC) grant through the East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program (ESGVROP) and the local Mt. SAC junior college. Students receive training for college or careers in Nursing and Athletic training. The grant provides students with uniforms (scrubs and polos), equipment and supplies for practicing in the hospital and in the athletic training clinic, one on one guidance counseling, mentorships, internships, field trips, college tours, and guest speakers. Potential extensions of the SHOE pathway course of study are college credit, preparation for exams (both college and national), or 13th year courses for certifications. The medical pathway concludes by offering a 5th year EMT program.

Agricultural Science

The Agriculture Department and FFA at Covina High School is a unique program that offers students a hands-on practical approach to Agriculture and Animal Science. The teachers are determined to provide students with the best education to reach their potential; offering CSU/UC approved science and elective courses and articulating with local community colleges so students may earn college credit. Courses available through Agricultural Science: Agriculture Biology, Agriculture and Soil Chemistry, Veterinary Science (11^th – 12^th grades), Agriculture Economics and Government (12^th grade)

Covina FFA is a related intracurricular club that students in the Ag pathway also participate in. The FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through Agriculture Education.

Visual and Performing Arts

The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) pathway has over 400 students enrolled in classes at CHS. Project based learning is the basis for the Arts, and collaboration between arts disciplines and other departments is highly encouraged and shown through current and past projects. All students participate in multi step production processes to achieve tangible performance and visual results. There are over 20 performances by student performing groups throughout the year, and visual art student work is displayed in various galleries in Los Angeles county. Numerous awards have been won in performing and visual arts. The teachers’ consistent commitment to excellence engages students in the quality productions and products that can launch students into their future.

Courses Available in Visual and Performing Arts: Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Marching Band, Music Appreciation, Concert Choir, Pop Ensemble, Art Appreciation, Art 2, Advanced Art, AP Art, Introduction to Theatre Arts, Play Production, Advanced Acting, Video Production 1, Video Production 2

Project Lead the Way

The STEAM program works with Project Lead the Way to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence that will encourage them to pursue careers in science, math, and engineering. Students in this program start with beginning engineering then take courses in robotics and have the option to take AP Physics. The robotics program participates in regional, national, and international robotics competitions. In the spring semester of 2016, Covina High Robotics competed in the Botball competition, placed 2nd in the seeding tournament, 6th in the double elimination tournament, and won the KISS award (Keep It Simple Students) for having the best performing robot with the simplest design.

GenYes & Computer Science

Covina-Valley Unified began a program in the 2015-16 school year with the goal of eventually bringing coding and computer science to the entire district. At the high school and middle schools the GenYes program aims to close the digital divide. It empowers students to become leaders in their schools by using technology to solve crucial problems in education, while also encouraging interest in STEM careers. In essence, they become the technology support for staff and students at their site. In 2016-2017 Covina High began an introduction to coding and computer science class that will eventually grow into a full computer science program culminating in Advanced Placement computer science.

Advanced Placement

Covina High School offers Advanced Placement and Honors courses for all students. There are 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for those students seeking to challenge themselves and possibly earn a score on the exam that would qualify for college credit. The following changes have recently impacted AP courses: the open access policy means more students are being encouraged to take them than ever before, teachers who have not previously taught AP are being given AP courses to teach, and the focus of many of the AP tests has changed.

Since 2013, the number of students taking exams has increased by about 9% each year. In the 2015-16 school year CHS administered 390 tests. There is an assistance program to help families in paying for the AP exam fees so no one opts out of taking an AP exam due to financial restraints. Families who do not qualify for fee waivers are expected to pay for the first two tests, but the school will pay for any more AP tests a student wishes to take.

AP courses currently offered at CHS include: Art, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese, Environmental Science, German, Human Geography, Language & Composition, Literature & Composition, Macroeconomics & Government, Physics 1, Physics 2, Spanish, World History and U.S. History.