About Us
Welcome to Vista West High School, home of the Gators! We believe that all students can learn and be successful, which is why we are committed to providing a meaningful educational experience for all students and a program that includes the opportunity for credit recovery. Vista West provides students the education, skills, and behaviors needed to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in the workplace or at the post-secondary level, and to become productive, responsible citizens.
This year, the Vista West staff and student body has worked together to define and implement positive behavioral expectations - the Gator RULE. (Respect, Understanding, Leadership and Effort) We are continuing to recognize and reward students when they meet these expectations. We have also implemented specific interventions and supports to sustain our academic and behavioral expectations. We welcome all of our Vista West parents and community members to partner with us to provide our students with an educational experience that will positively impact their lives for a lifetime.
This year, the Vista West staff and student body has worked together to define and implement positive behavioral expectations - the Gator RULE. (Respect, Understanding, Leadership and Effort) We are continuing to recognize and reward students when they meet these expectations. We have also implemented specific interventions and supports to sustain our academic and behavioral expectations. We welcome all of our Vista West parents and community members to partner with us to provide our students with an educational experience that will positively impact their lives for a lifetime.
Site Administrator,
Mike Mullings
Vista West History
Vista West is a continuation high school campus within the Kern High School District and is located three miles from central Bakersfield on State Highway 58 in a suburban area called Rosedale. The school was built in 1935 as a W.P.A. project and was originally intended to provide a school for the children of families migrating to the San Joaquin Valley from Texas and Oklahoma.
The school is considered a historical site. In 1990 the KHSD bought the school site, and in 1993, a state-financed remodel was completed. Classrooms were carpeted and air conditioned; new chalkboards, tack boards, Smart Boards, and white boards were added. Ceilings were dropped and new wiring and lighting added. The result was a small school with a new feel. Yet, where possible, the 1935 architecture has been preserved to keep the traditional “flavor” of the school.
School Mission and Vision
The mission of Vista West High School is to provide students the education, skills and behaviors needed to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in the workplace or at the post-secondary level, and to become productive, responsible citizens.
The vision of Vista West High School is that students will be prepared to become lifelong learners who will contribute to the community. Students will become responsible learners through challenging “standards-based” course work who can communicate effectively, think critically, and solve problems. The collaboration of school, home, and community will prepare every graduate for the challenges of the future.
Opportunities for Parental Involvement
Incoming students and their parents meet with a counselor in an initial intake conference . The students then meet with the dean and the campus police officer for an orientation to the campus. Throughout the school year, parent conferences at parent, teacher or staff request are arranged and mediated by the counseling department. Written and verbal correspondence is ongoing between the staff of Vista West High School and parents regarding academic, attendance and discipline concerns. “Back to School Night” invites parents to visit the classrooms and talk with teachers about the classes offered. Newsletters and guides for parent educational support are sent home in both English and Spanish. Deficiency notices are sent home mid term for those students who are in danger of not earning a passing grade in any class and grade cards are mailed home at the end of each nine week grading period.
The School Site Council functions with the EL parent Advisory and the Title 1 parent advisory, with the proper composition for each advisory group.