Polytechnic High School has undergone significant change over the past several years which have led to remarkable results. We are fortunate to work together at an educational institution that always strives for excellence in: curriculum and instruction, Small Learning Communities, donations to the community, and building positive relationships between all of our stakeholders.
Polytechnic High School was one of the first schools to have formally approved Small Learning Communities as required by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Bulletin 1600. The school was also the flag ship school in LAUSD that implemented the 4x4 Block Schedule. Polytechnic High School implements the practices of Second to None. A Freshman Center and Tenth Grade Center serve to provide a strong academic foundation to all Poly students. Three theme based Small Learning Communities in the 11th and 12>th grade work towards preparing students to be College Prepared and Career Ready. A Math Science Technology Magnet also serves about 400 students on the same campus and has distinguished itself with an API of 848 which by itself would rank among the top 10% of high schools in California. Polytechnic High School also has a very strong partnership with the Los Angeles Valley College. Students have multiple opportunities to enroll and receive support in community college classes offered on the Polytechnic High School campus.
In 2008, state Superintendent Jack O’Connell hosted a press conference with then LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer on the campus of Polytechnic High School to recognize its improvements. Polytechnic High School is one of only three high schools in California to ever exit from Program Improvement Year 5. In 2010, the California High School Exit Exam Scores were the second highest in LAUSD for first time 10th grade test takers and highest for all comprehensive, non-charter schools in LAUSD.
In the past several years, Polytechnic High School has remarkably improved from being among the bottom 10% of schools to the top 20% of schools in California with similar demographics. English Learner proficiency rate on the English CAHSEE is among the highest in California and continues to improve. In 2010, The Academic Decathlon team made it to the state championship.
In the past four years about 70 high schools have visited Polytechnic High School. Additionally, Poly teachers and administrators are engaged in strengthening the teaching profession by presenting in workshop sessions at several national conferences including the Education Trust Conference in Washington, D.C., Education Trust-West conference in Los Angeles, and the Talent Development High Schools Conference in Baltimore, Maryland About 15 teachers have earned National Board Certification in various content areas.
Polytechnic High School has been featured several times in the Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Times, as well as on KIIS-FM radio, KABC Radio, Fox 11 Television News, and KNBC Television News.
Of all the accomplishments we have to our name, I am most proud of the students and staff who, time and time again, show we are the school with heart. Poly High School students feed hundreds of families at Thanksgiving, donate thousands of pints to blood drives throughout the year, and have consistently contributed (over $160,000 in a five year period) to the Spark of Love Toy Drive sponsored by KABC Television and the Los Angeles Fire Department more than any other public or private organization each year.
Polytechnic High School has earned a reputation for doing things differently. The staff of Polytechnic High School is committed to being innovative and taking on new challenges in the interest of our students. The 2010-2011 school year marks the year that Poly converts to a single track school. We are excited to offer students the multiple opportunities for credit recovery and enrichment in Summer School and during the Winter Intersession. Arleta High School and Sun Valley High School joined Poly in its endeavor to implement a Balanced Traditional Calendar.
Parrots rule!
