Supporting Student Success

At VUSD we seek to ensure that every student has the support needed to succeed. Listed below are a number of services and programs we have put in place to provide the support students may need.

Link Crew Upperclassmen provide incoming freshman with an orientation to high school and follow-up contacts throughout the school year to facilitate a successful transition into high school from middle school.

Supportive Services Students are referred to various community agencies in order to receive appropriate services. For more information please contact your counselor.

Study Skills are integrated into the instruction of nearly all classes and highly developed through the AVID program. Student with an organized binder and calendar will be better able to manage the assignments and deadlines that are a part of high school. Study skills and basic skills in English and Math are also developed in the Freshman Academy, and Math Intervention classes.

Counselors are an important source and can help answer questions and meet a wide range of student needs. They are able to provide personal counseling as well as information and advice regarding academic and personal issues. Our counselors also serve as a link to other resources in the community that can assist our students in meeting their individual needs.

Tutorials are offered through a variety of sources. Teachers frequently provide extra assistance before school, at lunch or after school by appointment. School sites also provide a Tutorial Center before school and after school through the XL Program. See your counselor for more information on these tutorials, or for information on other sources of outside help, many of which are available free of charge.

Psychological Services are available from district school psychologists who meet with students on campus two days a week. Alcohol and drug abuse, family and personal issues are a few of the areas this professional can assist students with.

A School Nurse is available at each school site every day. The nurse provides services in providing first aid for injuries and general consultation with students about health-related issues. Additionally, the school nurses serve as a resource with a wealth of information about community resources to assists with health-related issues.

A Youth Services Officer is assigned to each school site through an agreement between Visalia Unified School District and the Visalia Police Department. The YSO assists in ensuring student safety and is available to take reports and for consultation regarding police matters for students, parents and staff.

Meeting Special Needs

VUSD recognizes that each student is unique and that there is no one best way to help each student obtain a successful high school career. The following programs offer services designed to meet some of the needs of our diverse student population. For more information about the services described below, please contact your counselor.

Special Education

Students who have an identifiable learning disability may be placed in Resource or Special Day classes in math, english, social science and science. An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is made for each student to determine how the student’s learning needs can best be met. Class sizes are smaller and instructional strategies are individualized according to the student’s needs. Students, parents and staff work together in IEP meetings to set goals and identify strategies to assist the students’ in meeting their academic and vocational goals.

Migrant Education

Many special hurdles exist for the migrant student who wants to get a high school education. In order to help this student overcome the hurdles. The district Migrant Coordinator works with site staff to provide the support needed to ensure academic success. Test results, activities, records, and student progress all help in determining how best to support the student. Career Day conferences, summer programs (such as UCLA/MENTE), student leadership symposium, and informative field trips are organized. All activities are designed to curb high rates of migrant student drop-out and to help the migrant student realize his/her potential.

Math Intervention

Integrated Math 1 is the initial required math class for both graduation and college requirements. VUSD offers math intervention classes to freshman in conjunction with an Integrated Math 1 class for students who have low grades or scores. Identified students will have multiple teachers for Integrated Math 1 and Math Intervention classes so that the student receives continuous support and additional practice.