SJHHS: Diversity Creates a Balance

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third in a four-part series on San Juan Hills High School. It is based on the 239-page report school officials produced as part of their successful bid for accreditation. The school's second-ever class graduates Wednesday.

had a lot to overcome during its first couple of years. When Tom Ressler became principal, things started looking up, according to the school's self-study report penned as part of the process to become accredited.

Now five years into its short history, parents, teachers and students all agree that San Juan Hills is a school of which to be proud, the report states. Where the school had only ninth graders and a half-completed campus, it now boasts all four grade levels and a host of beautiful facilities.

“We started opening up  that had never been used before, and were able to hire new teachers to support a growing student population as we moved into our third year,” said Ressler, the former principal at Capistrano Valley High School.

So just who are the Stallions?

Diverse Demographics

San Juan Hills has very diverse demographics, with just over half of the students being Caucasian. According to San Juan Hills' Western Association of Schools and Colleges report, this year’s enrollment is:

• 51 percent white
• 34 percent Hispanic
• 3 percent Asian
• .5 percent Pacific Islander
• 2.2 percent African-American
• 2.3 percent Filipino
• 2 percent American Indian/Alaskan Native 
• 5 percent multiple races

“The even balance means no minorities,” said Ressler.

Even the physical campus itself promotes balance, he said. While other public schools in the  feature enclosed spaces, the open, park-like atmosphere designed by original Principal Tony Ferruzzo gives the student body a place to feel safe and comfortable.

In this way, the students are less likely to go off in corners but instead hang out together in the open courtyards, Ressler said.

• Read Part One: 
• Read Part Two: 

Once San Juan Hills had a full campus of grades 9-12, the faculty’s focus turned to student involvement, especially among Hispanic students.

“Kids who are involved in school, who think school is important to their lives, do better in classes; their learning improves, their grades improve,” said Ressler.

San Juan Hills' self-studies and test scores show that the more students are involved in extra-curricular activities, the more serious they are about their education.

California Standards Test scores for white students at the school were almost tops in the district this year, with those from in Las Flores just hovering above. In 2011 however, San Juan Hills made the top of the list in CST scores for white students.

The faculty wants the Hispanic students to take more pride in their school community, according to the WASC report. Although San Juan Hills is covenient for those who live in Ladera Ranch and in the eastern half of San Juan Capistrano, those who live on the other side of the I-5 Freeway find it difficult to transport their children to a school so far.

“We want to help the Hispanic community realize that this is their school,” Ressler said.

The faculty hopes to create a natural atmosphere for each of the students, from every demographic to feel proud of their school and to feel at home at San Juan Hills. The parents, according to the report, are already feeling it.

Parents’ Pride

Surveys taken for San Juan Hills’ self-study shows that “San Juan Hills High School implements numerous strategies and processes to keep parents involved in the teaching/learning process.”

Parents are involved in campus organizations such as School Site Council, Parent Teacher Student Association, English Language Advisory Association, Stallion Athletic Booster and the accreditation focus groups.

Parents of performance art students volunteer in fundraising opportunities for performance events. Parents of special education students participate in their students’ individualized education program meetings. Some parents also volunteer to guest lecture.

“I think most parents are happy with the school,” said Sharon Spiers, the teacher who gathered all the data and penned the 239-page report. The surveys found:

• 97 percent of parents feel that teachers set high standards to promote a challenging learning environement.
• 97 percent of parents feel that their child’s teachers care about them and want them to do well.
• 99 percent of parents believe that their child is safe on school grounds.
• 99 percent  of parents are proud that their child attends SJHHS.

Proud Students

The school is already implementing an idea to encourage similar pride among student born from the recent self-examination, Ressler said. San Juan Hills will launch this summer its first Link-Crew, a group of upper-classmen who will help freshmen become oriented and proud of their high school.

More than 140 students volunteered to be part of the program, he said. August 31 marks the first Link-Crew event in which students will be introduced to the school during the afternoon. Later that night, everyone will enjoy a tailgate party just before the first football game in the new football , now under construction but scheduled to be finished by fall.

NEXT UP WEDNESDAY: The teachers are as unique as the students. Find out what makes them tick.