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CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS TO WATCH

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California Schools to Watch is a statewide program implemented by the California League of Middle Schools, California Department of Education, California Middle Grades Alliance, National Forum, and the California Schools to Watch model schools.

Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Magnet

Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Magnet

Designated 2026

Los Angeles Unified School District

Los Angeles County

Ivania Holodnak, Principal

9171 Telfair Ave, Sun Valley, CA 91352, USA

818-394-4600

School Characteristics

Grades Served: 6-12; Enrollment: 432

Replicable Practices

  • To continue advancing school culture and academic success, VOCES takes pride in collaborating with local elementary schools by integrating early exposure to career technology pathways (CTE) through screenwriting, editing, film production, and hands-on learning; while easing their transition to middle school and accelerating learning, our current and future families enter VOCES with a strong foundation. 

  • A dedicated Peace Room to provide a safe space for teachers, administrators, or staff to conduct community circles and restorative practices that strengthen relationships, repair harm, and promote accountability within our school community.

  • Regular Instructional Rounds: Cross-classroom peer observations to observe effective instructional practices, along with collaborative debriefs to share observations, strategies, and student impact data. 

  • The A-Team mentorship program, where administrators, coordinators, and counselors collaborate to mentor students to improve school attendance and identify the root causes of absenteeism and broader aspects of students’ lives. 

  • Systematic in-class presentations by administrators,  counselors, and deans on school expectations and support resources tied to the school’s code of conduct and Social Emotional Learning competencies.

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