We’re almost one-fifth of the way through the ABCs of the Santa Clarita Valley with “A for Animals,” featuring details on various places in the SCV to see animals, “B for Bicycle Trails,” “C for Central Park” and “D for Drums.” This week: E is for Education.
I know many families live in the Santa Clarita Valley because of the schools, but I wanted to extend this look at education beyond simply praising the quality schools that exist for children in the SCV – which is certainly the case, given the number of California Distinguished Schools and National Blue Ribbon schools (such as McGrath Elementary School, about which I am making a documentary) right here in the SCV.
While it is impressive and something I know many parents appreciate, another thing I have noticed is the variety of educational opportunities available in the Santa Clarita Valley, ranging from early childhood education to charter schooling and home-school groups to innovative high school learning opportunities, community college and continuing education. Santa Clarita has a lot of options.
Regarding early childhood education, there are countless daycare and preschool options available to parents. Even in the tiny community of Val Verde where I live, there is a Tot School offered by the Community Center ( free for residents) and a preschool.
Many parents in Santa Clarita praise the Center for Early Childhood Education at College of the Canyons and appreciate the numerous classes available to Pre-K kids and the Mommy and Me classes that are always listed in the city of Santa Clarita’s “Seasons” recreation bulletin.
Additionally, as someone who used to run an after-school program in Santa Clarita and whose company offers digital arts education workshops for elementary-aged children at many schools, I am also aware of how strong the elementary schools are – not only academically, but also in regard to the enrichment and other programs they offer youth.
Plus, the Santa Clarita Valley International School (a project-based learning charter school with an emphasis on global thinking and technology), as well as the Huckleberry Center for Creative Learning (a home school collective focused on fostering a love of learning with an emphasis on critical thinking skills and creativity) and the Academy of the Canyons Middle College High School (one of the best high schools in America, according to U.S. News and World Report in 2010) speak to the diversity of educational options available for families, in addition to the many quality private schools located in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Through COC, Golden Oak Adult School and programs listed in the Seasons bulletin, there are also many opportunities for adults to engage in continued education – both for professional and personal reasons, be it to improve job skills or learn more about a favorite hobby.
Finally, COC, California Institute of the Arts and The Master’s College offer valuable learning opportunities for individuals seeking higher degrees. Whether associates degrees, bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees, there are many opportunities available right here in the Santa Clarita Valley
Another great advantage of these colleges for all Santa Clarita residents is the opportunities they provide for us to enjoy the performances and arts exhibits they attract. CalArts is one of the top animation schools in the world, with many top animators as graduates, so the school often features state-of-the-art exhibits as well as impressive live performances that anyone in the community can enjoy. The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons continually attracts impressive performers, while also featuring great talent from community organizations.
I hope you are enjoying this series. Please stop in at The Good Long Road Facebook page and share your favorite SCV outings, adventures or explorations. They just might make it into an article. (Next week – Family Dinners in the SCV, so share your favorite restaurants with me.)
Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.
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As restrictions remain in place for gatherings and events in Los Angeles County, one of Santa Clarita’s most important traditions will take place on an online format in 2020.
The holiday shopping rush is upon us! As with everything this year, checking loved ones off your shopping list will look a little different in 2020. There will be no braving the crowds and tussling for the first crack at the doorbuster deals on Black Friday.
In his monthly message for October 2020, Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin spotlights results of the city's 2020 public opinion survey about the quality of life in our community.
As with everything in 2020, this year’s State of the City event will be different than years past. We are looking on the bright side, embracing the necessary changes for safety’s sake and rejoicing in the fact that this year’s event is truly inclusive of the entire Santa Clarita community.
The COVID-19 crisis has trashed recycling efforts and instead generated an increase in plastic waste, according to a recent study, but Los Angeles County restaurants could soon be required to make adjustments related to disposable food ware in an effort to reduce waste.
Despite signs that California’s latest and most damaging wave of the pandemic is subsiding, the state nonetheless sets a one-day record of 764 deaths on Friday.
Claims of excessive force, retaliation, and other misconduct by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be probed during a C, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Friday.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials on Friday confirmed 256 new deaths and 9,277 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 countywide, as Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia reported it's 107th death.
The Los Angeles County Library, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is set to host a series of free virtual workshops running every other week on Fridays from January through June.
The temporary residential green waste pick-up schedule will continue through Jan. 29 for customers in Santa Clarita after Waste Management requested an additional week for its modified schedule.
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has approved the recommendation to name Julian Gomez as the assistant principal of Bowman High School.
The Los Angeles County Development Authority will launch the Small Business Stabilization Loan Program on Jan. 28 and will begin accepting applications to help small businesses prevent further job loss and business closures.
The William S. Hart Union High School District governing board voted 3-1 Wednesday night to let athletic conditioning return to district campuses Jan. 27.
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., to learn about and provide input on its Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP).
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 262 new deaths, including an additional death at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, and 8,512 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 countywide, with 22,360 total cases in the Santa Clarita Valley.
SACRAMENTO – California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan issued the following statement Thursday advising providers that they can immediately resume the administration of lot 41L20A of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which was temporarily paused on Sunday due to possible allergic reactions.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, is supporting the effort by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to address concerns of communities throughout Los Angeles County, which continue to experience ongoing Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) initiated by Southern California Edison (Edison).
Single Mothers Outreach (SMO) is proud to announce “Survivor” as the theme for the 11th annual Empowering HeArts fundraising gala set to take place virtually on Saturday, Aug. 7.
The College of the Canyons School of Personal and Professional Learning was presented an Honorable Mention award by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges’ 2021 Exemplary Program Award.
The William S. Hart Union High School is looking for two new members to serve on the Measure SA Citizens’ Oversight Committee. These members will serve two-year terms with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
The Los Angeles County Coroner-Medical Examiner’s Office identified Carlos Salgado-Ruiz, 35, of Santa Clarita, as the pedestrian killed after being struck by a vehicle in Saugus Wednesday night.
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