The High School at Moorpark College

We were looking for a good learning environment with fewer distractions than a larger HS might have. Here are the pros & cons in our experience: Pros: Concurrent college classes A few good teachers (only 2 for us) Smaller environment for self-starters Cons: Some teachers don't teach- just assign work Unbelievable amount of socialistic indoctrination-Your views can cost a letter grade or two. Students are offered drugs on a regular basis- not that it won't happen on a larger campus, but it's pretty visible & nobody cares Our student went in w/ high hopes & now can't wait for it to end Summary: No athletics, which can be good and bad, but you won't have to worry about athletes or bullies at this school (unless you count one of the pushy teachers). If your student just wants to do their time & get out, this will probably be fine. If you're looking for a more typical HS experience without a whole new group of problems, find a good private school. The overwhelming consensus among the seniors is that you should not waste your senior year here- it is useless! They were right.
—Submitted by a parent

At this point My impression is that the school is week. The guidance counseling does non extent. in 11th grade the most impotent year to guide a student who is college bound. You have to be fully responsible unlike traditional High Schools that have programing based on how to get into college. There is no basic conversation of GPA and SAT scores need to get into 4 year college. They do not have any tools for the students to guide them in this direction as well. For such a small school you would have hoped that there would have been some personal attention to the students. This feels as if it really is just a feeder to Moorpark College when pass is good enough. There is a real potential here to make this into a fabulous school but there is not enough real time put into what is needed to make this into a top school.. To much busy work at the high school if the students are making it already in the college level courses.
—Submitted by a parent

NO CRITICISM - My kids attended this school the past 6 years, and the only ones who can't get the college classes needed are the procrastinators who don't select their classes on time. If you sign up to be wait-listed and attend classes the first week anyway, they always let you add. The HS@MC has classes from 1-6 pm, M-Thur, so plenty of time for college in the mornings, evenings, or even online courses you can do at home in your pajamas! NO EXCUSES not to get all the classes needed. As for the counseling, you do need to be responsible for tracking your own graduation and college admission requirements. Due to budget constraints, like ALL high schools, they don't have enough time to micromanage each student's credits. The principal does bend over backwards to help. So grow up, be responsible for selecting your classes on time, keeping track of your goals, and enjoy this program. It is the best thing out there. Plus, if you maintain a B average, there are transfer programs to UC Davis, UCLA, and many other fine universities. Some HS@MC students get enough credits to go directly to univ. as sophomores, and do save parents a small fortune. DO THIS! You won't regret it.
—Submitted by a parent

The High School @ Moorpark College offers the opportunity for students to earn college credits while participating in a high school program. Our student loves the additional challenge within a friendly social environment.
—Submitted by a parent

The best decision I have made in my life is attending this school and everyone who attended with me would agree. As students we did complain about its flaws, but as we graduated we all realized we became a close-knit family
—Submitted by a student

We love the school! I had heard so many positive things over the years and suggested it to my daughter last year. We went to the orientation and my daughter and I were very impressed. My husband was a little skeptical until we had a meeting with the school head, Dr. Dan, who my husband really liked. From the beginning of the school year, my daughter really excelled and as her junior year is coming to a close this week, the three of us couldn t be happier. The teachers and staff are wonderful and very supportive. My husband tells everyone we know how great the school is and said recently that this is a school where it is COOL to be smart . Instead of a school where the emphasis is on the jocks and cheerleaders, Moorpark High School @ the College embraces individuality and academics. We would highly recommend it to students who really want to learn in a progressive and inventive school environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a junior at the school. She loves the school, and is doing well academically in both her high school and college classes. The small school climate of spending more time with fewer teachers gives the faculty the opportunity to get to know the students better, and offer them more individualized help. The high school counselor and office staff are very helpful and caring.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough wonderful things about this school. HS@MC provides an opportunity for an in-depth, quality education, with a vastly greater number of math and science course options, due to the relationship with Moorpark College. Our daughter was not motivated at the public school, but here her grades have been excellent (both high school and college courses) and when I see the papers she brings home, I can't believe this is the same child. Her writing skills are amazing, and this is all thanks to HS@MC. Good grades and a caring administrative and teaching staff have boosted her self esteem too. It is definitely a plus that she will graduate high school having completed more than a year's worth of college courses. I wish more schools took this approach to teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

This school offers a schedule appropriate and conducive to learning for a teenager. It allows college courses to supplement high school courses. There is debating, free-thinking and innovative thought going on. It is a fantastic school
—Submitted by a parent

I have nearly completed my first year at this school, and I know of no one who feels that this school has an 'all encompassing curriculum, ' as written below. That, actually, is not possible, because the school only offers English, History, Economics, and Popular Culture. The rest of your classes have to be taken at Moorpark College, and there are significant limits to availability because of conflicts of scheduling with the High School. No one I know thinks it is 'incredible' either, and many of us have a hard time with the counseling office here.
—Submitted by a student

This school changed my life. I cannot stress enough how much I love this school. I have gone there both junior and senior year and have learned more in those two years than in the culmination of my entire schooling experience elsewhere. I know that every other student would agree that this school is incredible in every aspect of its diverse and all encompassing curriculum.
—Submitted by a student

This school is based on great ideas but fails completely at delivering what it claims. Easily 40% of my child's class left within the first year. Students are treated like prisoners and not given any inspiration at all about the transition from high school to college.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school for my junior and senior years and forged one of the best educational experiences of my life. I am currently a graduating Senior at UCLA, and would not have had the opportunity to get in there had it not been for this school. By no means is this school for everyone, there is somewhat of a high transfer out rate, but that's because the school is geared towards a particular type of student. It doesn't so much adopt to the student as the student just seems to fit with the program. I am lucky to have been one of those students. When I graduated in 2006, I had my freshman year of college done. I stayed at Moorpark for one year (much easier than my Senior year at HS@MC) and was able to transfer. I saved my parents almost $50,000 (tuition + living expenses) in the process.
—Submitted by a student

This school is amazing. It really allows your child to grow. It's a small close-knit community that is incredibly supportive.
—Submitted by a student

This is by far the best experience for a junior and/or senior in high school. The writing exercises prepared my child for college classes. The environment was 100% geared to success for each student. The counseling department assisted with decisions on which college classes to take for their post high school education. It is even possible for a student to receive their high school diploma and their associates degree at the same time.

Its just a big gimmick! theres no real academics, it ends up hurting your childs schooling a lot more than helping it. If you want to gain college experience and credits, justsighn up for moorpark college classes indepndently.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a magnet school for gifted and talented kids that are recruited all over the south land to take concurrent high school and college level curriculum. I am baffled how this school does not have a 10 rating, this is by far one of the best middle colleges in southern california with the highest level of critical thinking skills being taught, research, philosophy, writing, religion, political economy, and student directed senior project implemented in the curriculum that each student must complete a 6-month work study program in order to graduate. the teachers are the best out there, and the expansion of curious knowledge has proved itself endless in my child who is currently a double major senior at UCLA involved with undergraduate research with two professors, he would not have learned his fullest potential of intellectual development had it not been for the program at the HS@MP college!
—Submitted by a parent