Vista Ridge Academy has the ability to serve students with specific learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and other health impairments in grades six through twelve. We provide behavioral interventions, individual student assessment and training in self-control, life skills and ethical living. Students are responsible for working toward a successful return to public school. We offer designated instructional services such as individual counseling, group counseling, speech & language therapy, parent counseling and a one to six teacher-student ratio.

Our mission statement is, “To provide safe homes, education and counseling to vulnerable children and families.”

Vista Ridge Academy in conjunction with the responsible local school district provides an individualized educational plan (IEP) for each student enrolled. Each child who is referred for enrollment at the school is evaluated during the admissions process. This process is designed to accomplish the following: a) to identify the referred student’s needs, b) to determine if the school can implement the IEP, and c) to assist the responsible school district in meeting the requirements of the state and federal laws. To assist this process the following admissions criteria and guidelines are considered: a) male and female children from ages 11-22, ambulatory, and severe deficits in social/emotional, cognitive, or communication skills that require a non public school placement.

Vista Ridge Academy holds an annual open house where parent(s)/ guardian(s) can view their child’s work and discuss issues with teachers and staff members. In addition, the IEP process is also a vehicle by which parents can be involved with their child’s progress and process needed adjustments with the IEP team. Faculty and staff also maintain family contact logs to report academic and behavioral progress, and/or concerns. Faculty and staff are also available via Internet and voice mail.

 The school building was originally built in 1958 and provides a safe, clean learning environment for students and staff. Recent completed modernization projects include, building new student bathrooms, new interior and exterior paint throughout the entire facility, and new carpeting. There are currently no emergency repairs to report. A daily scheduled maintenance and cleaning program is administered by ChildNet Youth and Family Services. Vista Ridge Academy is currently comprised of 2 classrooms, a library/media center, dining room, and 2 counseling offices. Future projects include the expansion of 2 more classrooms and a science laboratory.

To safeguard the well being of students and staff, a comprehensive School Site Safety Plan has been developed by the Safety and Disaster Committee. The safety plan includes safety issues such as supervision, disaster kits, and emergency procedures. The safety committee meets on a monthly basis to review any concerns or current issues. Safety drills are held on a regular basis in compliance with the education code. Our entire staff is trained in CPR/ First Aid. Our campus is located 1.3 miles away from the Monrovia Police and Fire departments. Arcadia Methodist hospital is our nearest emergency medial facility, which is 3.5 miles west of the school. Any visitors to the campus are required to sign in at the school’s main office and must wear the proper identification at all times.

Our teaching and administrative staff members hold California Education Specialist Credentials in mild /moderate disabilities. Our school counselor is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

 Our academy is located in the Monrovia Unified School District. The curriculum and instructional materials will reflect the same standards based core curriculum as used in the local educational agency.

Grades 6,7,8
Language Arts/Reading- Holt, Rinehart & Winston
High Point – Hampton Brown

Mathematics- General Mathematics- Saxon Publishers , (Pre-Algebra)- Prentice Hall ,
(Algebra I)- Glencoe/McGraw Hill , An Incremental Math Development 65,76- Saxon Publishers

Science- Prentice Hall Focus on Earth Science, Focus on Life Science, Focus on Physical Science

History/Social Science- McGraw Hill( Ancient World Grade 6), Prentice Hall ( Medieval Times Grade 7),
Holt, Rinehart & Winston ( Call to Freedom Grade 8)

Grades 9-12
Language Arts/Reading- Literature: The Reader’s Choice - Glencoe
High Point- Hampton Brown

Mathematics- Algebra I- Glencoe; Algebra II w/Trigonometry-Merrill; Geometry Applications & Connections- Glencoe; Pre-Calculus- Merrill; Calculus-ITP

Science- Science Spectrum-Holt; Biology The Living Science- Prentice Hall; Conceptual Physics- Scott Foresman; Physics It’s Methods & Meanings- Prentice Hall; Chemistry The Study of Matter- Prentice Hall

History/Social Science- World Geography- Glencoe; World History the Human Experience, The Modern Era- Glencoe; American History The Modern Era since 1865- Glencoe; Economic Principles & Practices; U.S. Government; The Cultural Landscape an Intro to Human Geography

Health - Glencoe