AOC'S HELPING HAND
About AOC & the Helping Hand College & Career Program
Learning at the Academy of the Canyons
A 2015 National Blue Ribbon School, the Academy of the Canyons Middle College High School (AOC) is a public alternative to the comprehensive high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District. AOC is one of thirteen California Community College Middle College grant recipients. From its establishment in 2000 to 2009, AOC served grades 11 and 12 and expanded to 400 students serving grades 9-12 in 2009. We offer a unique educational experience that fosters academic and personal success in both the high school and college environments.
We are committed to effective classroom instruction, rigorous curricula, and quality relationships between staff, students, parents, and our college partner. In 2016, we developed a school-wide and student-driven Wellness program to include the mental and emotional health of our students in our school’s mission.
To attend AOC, students must enroll and take classes at College of the Canyons Community College (COC) to meet educational goals which include high school graduation, college freshmen admission, college transfer, an associate degree, and career certification. Students take college classes on the college campus with college instructors for college credit and have a college transcript.
AT A GLANCE
AOC At a Glance
Accreditation
Academy of the Canyons received a six year accreditation (2014-2020) from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges WASC. Academy of the Canyons was recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School. Additionally, Academy of the Canyons is a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Middle College National Consortium, and the California Coalition for Early/Middle College High Schools.
Academy of the Canyons Mission Statement
Academy of the Canyons offers ninth through twelfth grade school students a unique educational experience that fosters academic and personal success in the high school and college environments. To ensure successful learning for every student, our staff is committed to effective classroom instruction, rigorous curricula, and quality relationships between staff, students, parents, and college partners.
Your Future Today
Academy of the Canyons students will be...
Capable Learners who:
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Exceed academic requirements while earning college units
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Utilize a variety of resources available to produce high quality work
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Can compete in a post high school environment
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Are self directed
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Solve problems effectively
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Think critically and creatively
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Recognize the relationship between effort and success
Effective Communicators who:
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Utilize technology
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Demonstrate active listening and reading skills
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Employ written and oral language conventions
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Work individually and collaboratively
Conscientious Members of Society who:
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Demonstrate personal integrity
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Respect cultural diversity and individual differences
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Understand local, national, and global issues
HOW DID THIS THING START?
As Oak Trees, we have always been
in our pursuit of academic excellence.
Our students have always been ambitious, taking rigorous college courses during their summers and winters.
deep rooted
AA's
AA's
AA's
AA's
However, Helping Hand aimed to
dig deeper
to ensure that students developed skills and a passion for an academic path, ensuring their readiness to maximize the potential of their postsecondary experience.
ALUMNI
NETWORKING
SKILL-BUILDING ELECTIVES
INTERNSHIPS
CAREER
EXPLORATION
SOCIAL + EMOTIONAL LEARNING
PATHWAYS
MENTORSHIP
Check out our step by step navigation on how to use the website:
Our Objectives
AOC’s Helping Hand has the following objectives:
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To provide students with a coherent understanding about the use of Associate’s Degrees, including whether or not it should be pursued
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To provide mentorship for students as they seek to gain more information about their desired pathway
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To inspire engagement with academic pathways, including extracurriculars, student societies, and the development of skills for their desired pathway in a timely and stress-free manner
PARTNERSHIP WITH SEL
Our team complements the Social and Emotional Learning program. While SEL strives to cultivate social and emotional wellness in our school's community, our team strives to tackle the SOURCE of stress among our student body: figuring out what we're passionate about pursuing in the future.
MEET OUR TEAM
Here is our amazing team of staff and contributors, who are all dedicated to ensuring your success at AOC and beyond!
Jerry Malkowski
Director of Social, Emotional Learning
SEL A, B, C, & D, Advisor of OCEAN Elective
Dr. Juliet Fine
Principal of Academy of the Canyons & Learning Post Academy
Diana Grijalva
AOC Academic Counselor
CO-FOUNDER
Jathin Korrapati
11th Grader, Class of 2022
CREDITS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
This website was developed by Carter Cote ('20). Content for the site was compiled and written by Carter Cote ('20), Tarun Murugesan ('20), and Jathin Korrapati ('22).
Photos and videos have been provided by AOC Yearbook, AOCTV, and Carter Cote ('20).