Ventura Chamber President and CEO Stephanie Caldwell holds the ribbon while Councilwoman Cheryl Heitmann cuts it at open house.
By Sheri Long-Vista Real Community Liaison
Although Vista Real’s downtown Ventura location opened in July, we officially celebrated with an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, March 10th. Students, staff, and community members were all invited to tour our facility, meet with school and student leadership and enjoy some good food and good fun with the local Scratch food truck and Q104.7 live on location!
Vista Real is a free, independent study high school diploma program, currently serving approximately 1,000 students in the Ventura County Region and throughout our six school resource centers located in Ventura, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Oxnard and Santa Paula. Students that were previously at risk of dropping out, find a whole new way of learning at Vista Real with one on one teaching, on site computer labs and readily available, free tutoring from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Vista Real staff and teachers work diligently with students to create a positive learning environment where in students are successful each and every day.
Students have stated that our schools allow for “flexibility,” they assist with keeping students “on track” and “focus on students’ individual needs giving everyone the right amount of attention.” Students ages 14-19 may enroll at any Vista Real location. We also accept those youth ages 20-23, who have aged out of a comprehensive high school and are still interested in obtaining their high school diploma.
These opportunity youth are given a second chance at success while placed in a workforce program with the ability to obtain their high school diploma and job skills at the same time. Vista Real strives to create strong community ties, positive relations with service organizations, and course offerings in varying Career Technical Education fields.
Upon graduation, we work with our students to place them in areas of interest for jobs, internships or offer personal assistance with college applications and financial aid. In the words of one Vista Real student, “It’s an amazing place to be, and an amazing place to learn.” For more information please visit us at VRCH.org or call (877) 360-LEARN.
