Vista Alternative School

Welcome!

Vista is the only non-charter, independent study school serving 7-12 grade students in the Fremont Unified School District.  We provide an individualized program of study, open entry and exit classes, challenging work at home, and career/vocational counseling services.  A teen parenting program, with a day care facility on site, is available to all pregnant and parenting students.

Students are referred to Vista through their home school or through the Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) office of the Fremont Unified School District.   Referrals to Vista are screened by the Department Chairperson and the Principal to determine if the placement is appropriate.  Students must have the skills necessary to succeed in such a course of study.  The Department Chairperson and Principal analyze student test scores, previous grades, and attendance patterns to help make this determination.  Because Vista students only attend school once per week and are required to complete 25 hours of homework between their scheduled visits, students should be highly motivated and be able to read at or above grade level.  Vista is not an appropriate school for students who have poor academic skills or who are seriously credit deficient.

Often, students who attend Vista are those who participate in a major activity outside of school, such as those who train for an Olympic sport.  Students who feel uncomfortable in a traditional setting, who are bullied, harassed, or otherwise struggle socially, often find their niche at Vista.

Who attends Vista Alternative School?

The student body consists of young people, who because of unusual responsibilities or personal problems, find that the alternative school program more effectively meets their needs.

How do I enroll at Vista Alternative School?

Students are eligible to transfer voluntarily to Vista Alternative School from any of the five comprehensive high schools through the following procedure:

• A referral form is completed and signed by an administrator from the student's home school.
• The parent must also sign the form.
• Supporting information must be attached to the referral form such as transcript, attendance record and behavioral record.
• The student and a parent/guardian must attend a Vista orientation prior to attending classes.

What are the graduation requirements for Vista Alternative School?

• There is no direct instruction at Vista and it is not a remedial program.  Students must have the intellectual capability to read and understand District required textbooks.  Students who say they hate to read and hate to do homework will not succeed at Vista.  Vista is not an appropriate placement for ELL students below the advanced level or for most students receiving special services.
• Making up credits at Vista is not "easy."  In order to graduate from Vista, 30 fewer elective credits are required, but a student who is behind more than 30 credits will have to work very hard, and perhaps attend Adult School and summer school if he/she expects to graduate on time.
• Students must be disciplined, organized, and capable of working independently.  They must have the internal desire to earn a high school diploma.
• There must be a proper study environment at home to support a minimum of 25 hours of schoolwork per week.
  
• Parents are expected to check the student's work to ensure that it is complete before the student comes for his/her appointment. There must be dependable transportation for student/teacher appointments.
• Attendance is based on completed assignments. If a student misses an appointment or comes to an appointment with little or no work completed, he or she has missed the equivalent of one week of school.  Every attempt is made to encourage and help a student succeed, but students who cannot or will not complete the required amount of work will be transferred to Robertson or returned to their home school.