Child Development Resources

Monte Vista School, the independent study academy of Simi Valley Unified, opened in 1980 as a high school program of the Simi Valley Adult School, and its first graduating class had two students. Today 29 teachers serve 464 students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade on our Fourth Street campus. Students complete much of their coursework at home using the same curriculum and materials as other district schools, and each student meets weekly with a credentialed teacher who tracks progress. Parents of kindergarten through 8th graders attend those appointments. High school courses meet UC and CSU A to G requirements, and we offer Advanced Placement and Honors classes, credit recovery, Spanish, Math and English labs, tutoring and dual enrollment at Moorpark College. Our campus gives independent learners a place to gather. We have a MakerSpace with a 3D printer and robotics, science labs, and a farm and garden with chickens and greenhouses. Students in grades 7 to 12 can study at the Study Café with free WiFi. Counselors help with academic planning, college and career preparation and social-emotional support, and every student receives a district device at no cost.

Options for Youth (OFY) in the San Fernando Valley region is a network of free public charter high schools dedicated to providing a flexible and personalized educational experience for students aged 14 to 21. This institution serves a diverse student body, including those who may be behind on credits, seeking an alternative learning environment, or balancing school with significant outside responsibilities. OFY's core mission is to empower students to achieve their academic goals while preparing them for future college and career pathways, particularly through its partnership with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The school employs innovative teaching methodologies tailored to individual learning styles, offering courses in various formats such as small group instruction, online classes, and guided independent study. This approach fosters an inclusive atmosphere where all students can thrive academically and socially. What sets OFY apart is its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment with low student-teacher ratios, specialized facilities designed for collaboration, and unique experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Through these distinctive features, OFY not only focuses on academic achievement but also nurtures personal growth and community engagement among its students.

Royal High School in Simi Valley is home to the Success Academy, a special education program for students with autism that combines a highly intensive, self-contained setting with access to general education classes. Success Academy staff are trained in Applied Behavior Analysis, Discrete Trial Teaching and Pivotal Response Training. Students are supported by a licensed occupational therapist and a sensory room, a speech-language pathologist who serves them through their IEPs, and a school psychologist and behavior specialist. Each student follows either a standards-based academic strand or a functional life-skills strand, with visual schedules and assistive technology as needed. Across the school, we offer International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs, Air Force Junior ROTC, the Ronald Reagan Citizen Scholar Institute, and Career Technical Education pathways including sports medicine, media arts, cabinetry and woodworking, legal practices, and food service and hospitality. Our Center for Academic Success provides tutoring. We build school life around four As: academics, arts, athletics and activities. Students can join dance team, instrumental and vocal music, theatre and video production, and compete in sports ranging from aquatics and lacrosse to wrestling and volleyball.