About Vista West High School
Welcome to Vista West High School. Vista West is the largest of five continuation high schools operated by the Kern High School District. Vista West serves students who live in south west Bakersfield. The school population ranges from 150 students at the beginning of the school year up to 250 at its peak enrollment. In addition to continuation school for students over 16 years old, Vista West also operates an Opportunity school for 14-15 year old students. The Vista West buildings were constructed in 1935 and have recently had a million dollar remodel to meet modern educational needs and to be completely handicapped accessible.
Students are referred to Vista West because they are not experiencing success at the large comprehensive high school. Usually that referral has been preceded by a series of notifications and conferences with the students and parents. Most often, students who enroll at vista West are deficient in credits toward graduation. the program at Vista West offers students the opportunity to get back on track to graduation from high school. Students can elect to return to the home school or remain at Vista West. When a student is referred to continuation school, both parents and the student must understand that this is the student's last chance to remain in daily school. Vista West offers a chance to get back on track, but those behaviors which have caused the student to fail must be corrected while at Vista West. The fundamental goal of the staff and the program at Vista West is to help students find ways to be successful at school and to transfer that success to the workplace after graduation.
A Note To Parents: Your student's success at Vista West is his/her responsibility. Nevertheless, there are ways for you to help your student be more successful. Please don't hesitate to call the school and ask to talk to your student's teachers, counselors or to the administrator. Be aware of when to expect to receive semester report cards in the mail and progress reports from your student. If you have questions, call the school. Ask your student to bring home attendance and/or grade checks. Encourage your student to dress appropriately for school. Clear absences promptly. Talk to your student about career plans. Help your student develop a sense of responsibility and self-discipline. Please communicate with the school and help us teach your student to become a good citizen with a bright future.