Sierra High School Crest
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“It Takes a World of Difference to Make a Different World”, that is the motto chosen by the students for the school they named Sierra High. On Wednesday, September 22 over 75 community members, students and parents attended the dedication and back to school night of the sparkling new campus for the Fillmore Unified School Districts alternative learner high school. In her public remarks Sierra High School Principal Cynthia Frutos commented that Sierra High’s history dates back to 1980 when FUSD formed it’s own alternative learner high school. Prior to that Fillmore area students had to travel to Santa Paula in order to attend such a school. The school was first located at an empty storefront on Central Avenue in Fillmore. In 1982 it was relocated to the site on “A” Street where it has remained until now. The new campus is located off of Second Street next to the baseball fields in completely renovated buildings that previously housed locker rooms.

According to Frutos the school currently serves 60 students in the regular program and 20 students in the Independent Studies program. Frutos explained Sierra has the same board approved curriculum that Fillmore High School uses and the same graduation requirements. In addition to the standard curriculum Sierra offers ROP (Regional Occupational Program) classes in Camarillo and students may also attend classes at Ventura College. The school also has a software program that students can use at home. These options allow great flexibility for the student’s schedules.

When asked about what brings students to Sierra, Frutos commented that about 95% are “credit deficient” essentially because of attendance issues at Fillmore High School. Very few students at Sierra have “disciplinary” issues. Frutos emphasized that most students simply were not attending school and that Sierra is able to create a flexible program that works with the unique needs of these students. When a student needs work in basic skills the Sierra staff is able to spend one on one time with that student to get them caught up, get them the skills they need, and then they can return to Fillmore High School “[feeling] empowered… [Because] they have the basic foundation.” Some students are too ill to attend school, so they benefit from the independent studies program. Sierra is also able to accommodate the scheduling and flexibility needs of those students that are also parents.

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Sierra High School has had a great start to the school year. Our Associated Student Body has organized fund raisers and motivational BBQs for students with both being very successful. Our student daily attendance numbers are up and students appear eager to come to school and learn. This is evident in the high number of credit completion that is reflected in the student’s first quarter grades. Sierra High School students recently completed the California High School Exit Exam (CASHEE) with 100% participation. Finally, SHS will hold a School Site Council meeting on Monday, November 24 at 6:30 p.m.

During the week of October 27, Sierra High School was visited by seven candidates running for Fillmore City Council. Marcoz Hernandez, Steve Conaway, Norris Pennington, Royce Davis, Omero Martinez, Jamey Brooks, and Gayle Washburn spent time talking to students and sharing their visions for the future of Fillmore as well as the youth. Sierra High School students were very excited to have the opportunity to voice their concerns, ask questions, and offer a “youth perspective” on local politics. Cynthia Frutos, a teacher from Sierra High School stated, “This went really well in that we used nontraditional methods to teach students about Government, English, and Electives in this integrated unit. That is why we are an alternative school.” The students were honored in knowing that no where else in Fillmore Unified School District did the candidates talk to students. Sierra High School students held their own election on Monday, November 3rd and the following candidates received the most votes: Omero Martinez, Marcoz Hernandez, and Royce Davis. Sierra High School would like to thank all of the candidates for visiting and Isela Larin, The College and Career Technician, for making it all happen.