Four comprehensive high schools...
Two with boundaries...
Two with open enrollment...
Which one is right for you?
One of the top-ranked school districts in California, San Dieguito Union High School District boasts five outstanding high schools: Canyon Crest Academy, La Costa Canyon High School, San Dieguito Academy, Sunset High School/North Coast Alternative High School, and Torrey Pines High School.
Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito are comprehensive "nonboundary" schools with open enrollment. Students from any area within the San Dieguito District may apply to either of the two academies.
La Costa Canyon and Torrey Pines High Schools are considered comprehensive "boundary" schools in which attendance is restricted to students living within prescribed school boundaries. However, students in the LCC attendance area may apply for an intra-district transfer to attend TP and students in the TP attendance area may apply for an intra-district transfer to attend LCC.
Sunset High School and North Coast Alternative High School are continuation and alternative educational programs. Enrollment at Sunset or North Coast is determined by referral or by application through your comprehensive high school.
SDA and CCA are "nonboundary" schools with open enrollment. Students from any area within the district may apply either to SDA or CCA. Enrollment is determined by a lottery. LCC and TP are considered comprehensive "boundary" schools in which attendance is restricted to students living within the school boundaries. However, students may apply for an intra-district transfer.
In this case, the student would automatically be assigned to his or her "boundary" school. If so desired, he or she may apply again to SDA or CCA the following year.
Changes are not allowed after a deadline determined well in advance of the opening dates of the selection process.. All students and parents must make thoughtful and informed choices on or prior to the specific deadlines.
Everyone must fill out an application by the deadline. If that is done, and the enrolling student has a sibling at the school during the year who is not a 12th grader, the incoming student is admitted.
Yes, the course requirements and the number of units required for graduation (230) are the same at all the high schools. The curriculum is district aligned, and textbooks are district approved. For example, a Biology class at Torrey Pines is the same as a Biology class taught at CCA, SDA, or LCC.
The graduation requirements, the curriculum, and the textbooks are the same at all high schools. Each site does offer a few "specialty" courses.
No, each of the high schools has UC approved courses. To see course lists, go to http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/.
Yes, the student: teacher ratio is the same at each of the four comprehensive high schools.
A comprehensive choice of classes will be offered, including all those courses necessary to meet district graduation requirements and UC/CSU entrance requirements.
Yes, students have the same opportunities for advanced studies at all four schools.
Yes, your student can continue in the Honors program, which is available at all four comprehensive high schools, each of which offers "expanded access" to Honors and AP courses.
Course catalogs will be updated and will be online at all school websites.
Yes, but students must first meet with their counselors to complete a permission form. All off-campus course work must be from an accredited program.
Yes, on a 4x4 schedule it is possible for a student to complete two years of a world language in one year.
General P.E. is recommended for all ninth-graders and includes our Health education graduation requirement. In subsequent years, each school also offers a wide variety of elective P.E. courses in such areas as dance, skateboarding, weight training, bowling and surfing.
Yes, ISPE and ISA programs are available at all schools.
Each school has an excellent music program, including concert band, jazz ensembles and other specialty courses. TP and CCA also have orchestras.
Students take 60 credits per year and rotate between periods 1-3-5 and 2-4-6 alternating days. The 115-minute periods allow for in-depth teaching and learning. Students take six classes at once on an alternating schedule of three classes per day, which allows homework scheduling flexibility.
Students take 80 credits per year, which allows more opportunities to choose electives. Students take four classes per term. Classes are 90 minutes long.
Early graduation is not recommended and only allowed in very rare circumstances.
Research has shown that the so-called gap in performance—caused by either summer vacation or a semester off—disappears for students after a few weeks back in class. It should be noted, however, that SDA and CCA require world language students to take levels I and II in the same year for continuity.
LCC and TP students compete in CIF Division I sports. CCA and SDA students compete in Division III. Football is not available at SDA or CCA.
No, CIF does not allow a student at one school to compete on another's team.
There are special education programs at all four high schools.
All of our high schools offer a strong college-prep academic program. CCA, SDA, LCC, TP, SS and NCA have all sent students to top ranked colleges and universities. For more information about colleges, please check out our "College Connection" handbook located for download on our website at www.sduhsd.net under "Index of Links."
The academic and language needs of all students are addressed at the four comprehensive high schools. Students may attend any school regardless of language proficiency.