Whitney High increases state testing scores

The scores are in and Whitney High School has received great marks. Whitney High ranked ninth among 100 similar schools in the state with an API score of 824. Other schools in the Rocklin Unified School District that service Whitney Ranch residents scored well also.Valley View Elementary scored 920, Twin Oaks Elementary scored 860 and Granite Oaks Middle School came in with an 899. All four schools increased their API score over the previous year.Whitney High School boasts one of the most up to date high school campuses in the state with world-class arts and athletics facilities. The 21,500-square-foot Visual and Performing Art Center features a 450-seat theater, latest stage technology and classrooms for music, choir and drama instruction. In addition, students have access to a full broadcast studio capable of broadcasting not only within the campus cable system, but also in the wider community. The college-level athletic facilities include a 16-lane wave-reducing competition pool, all-weather surface track, a synthetic turf football field and separate soccer field, two indoor gyms, full service dance studio and weight rooms. Located on a 50-acre site within Whitney Ranch, Whitney High School opened August 2005 with the capacity for 1,800 students. The school celebrated its first graduating senior class this past June. "Academically, the school is doing great, especially for only being open for three years," said Manny Rodriguez, assistant principal and athletic director at Whitney High.In addition to Whitney High School, Maria Montessori Charter Academy was recently completed and opened for its first day of school Aug. 27. This school offers Whitney Ranch, and all Rocklin residents, another option for kindergarten – eighth grade education. Maria Montessori Charter Academy is a tuition–free, nonprofit public elementary school emphasizing the Montessori philosophy within the accountability and framework of the California state standards. "We are all very excited about being a part of the Rocklin community," said Principal Brent Boothby.In other school news, construction is underway for Sunset Ranch Elementary School, which is scheduled to open in August of 2010. Sunset Ranch will service kindergarten through sixth grades and have a maximum capacity of 700 students."All classrooms will be smart classrooms," explained Sue Wesselius, director of facilities for Rocklin Unified School District. "They are each equipped with an LCD projector which is integrated to the teacher's computer and projects on a 100-inch screen in the front of the classroom." The smart classroom features also allow teachers to stream educational video right into the classroom. Built-in speakers in the ceiling help engage students in the videos and presentations.