Principal: Greg Bowden, Ed. D.

Assistant Principals: Jennifer Harrison; Frank Huerta; Scott Soukup

Enrollment: 2,366

Grades: 9-12

Canyon High School opened in 1973 and is situated on forty acres in the Southern
California community of Anaheim Hills. A professional staff of 85 teachers, five counselors, three administrators, and activities director, a media specialist, and a college/career specialist serve a heterogeneous student population of 2,100 ninth through twelfth
grade students. The ethnic breakdown of the student population is 21% Asian, 2% Black, 11% Hispanic, .1% of the community as a whole.

Canyon High School emphasizes a college preparatory program while providing opportunities for a wide variety of learning experiences. Our Block Schedule encourages innovative instructional practices. With a rotating even and odd day schedule, students attend 3 classes each day. As a supplement, a tutorial period is available each day for students to receive assistance from their classroom instructors. In addition, a zero period is offered for students who rise early and want to finish their school day earlier than their peers. Zero period courses meet each day from 7:00-7:55 a.m.

Our campus includes a technology-enhanced library/media center, three specialized computer labs, a state-of-the-art video production lab, five (20 station) rollout laptop labs, a college and career center, and comprehensive science facilities. In addition to traditional Honors and Advanced Placement courses, Canyon High School challenges its students
with unique learning opportunities. For instance, in July of 1993 the California State Department of Education awarded Canyon High School a grant to develop a specialized
science program. Our ScienceNet program emphasizes Engineering/Technology, Medical and Communication Sciences. In addition, the International Baccalaureate program at Canyon couples high academic standards with intellectual rigor.

Educational technology is trademark of Canyon. As a "Digital High School" Canyon
was awarded over half a million dollars to enhance its existing technology program in March of 1999. Currently Canyon's technology infrastructure includes over 620 network connections and over 400 PC and Macintosh computers. Internet access has enhanced the integration of technology in the classroom. For instance, and interdisciplinary laptop immersion course (eEnglish/eHistory) has expanded to both 10th and 11th grade levels with 9th and 12th grade laptop English courses. CyberCivics, and online government course, is an additional course offered to Seniors at Canyon High. This online government course has served as a model for the passage of Assembly Bill 885. As a result of AB 885. the offerings of online courses in California public schools will increate. Video production is the capstone of educational technology at Canyon. A broadcast is produced each morning in a state of the art studio to disseminate campus news and information. Perhaps our
greatest accolade is the fact that Canyon High School was selected as Stellar Technology School. Canyon is one of only two schools in all the Orange County to receive this prestigious award in honor of exemplary technology program.

Last year in March the Canyon faculty was introduced to a day of staff development of
critical thinking. Critical thinking is the mode of thinking that requires one to analyze his or her thinking (break it down), evaluate that thinking (access it) and finally create new thinking (improve it). Teachers were introduced to the elements of thought and the intellectual
standards. The elements provide students the tools necessary for them to think critically and the standards represent the attributes needed for the highest quality of thinking. This year our teachers continued their intensive training in critical thinking on September 1st and 2nd. Teachers learned valuable instructional strategies that will improve the effectiveness of their
teaching and increase student achievement. Besides the benefit of improving student learning, critical thinking encourages students to make well thought out decisions based on sound reasoning. Our goal is to teach students how to utilize these skills in order to best prepare them for the demands of higher education and the work place.

Our Mission:

Canyon High School is committed to graduating students with the academic, interpersonal, and vocational skills necessary to compete and contribute as global citizens.

•Specifically, Our Students Will:

–use critical thinking skills to succeed in a rigorous curriculum and apply their learning to real world situations.

–communicate effectively using technological, written and verbal expression.

–maintain academic honesty and integrity, act in a responsible manner and actively contribute to society.

–develop collaborative relationships with staff and peers for the purpose of achieving a common goal.

–develop an awareness of opportunities available to them in our changing world.

–articulate the relevance of classroom instruction by setting, pursuing, adapting and achieving career and personal goals.

Dear Canyon High School Families,

Canyon High School is committed to graduating students with the academic, interpersonal, and vocational skills necessary to compete and contribute as global citizens. Specifically, our students will:

• use critical thinking skills to succeed in a rigorous curriculum and apply their learning to real world situations.
• communicate effectively using technological, written and verbal expression.
• articulate the relevance of classroom instruction by setting, pursuing, adapting and achieving career and personal goals.
• develop an awareness of opportunities available to them in our changing world.
• develop collaborative relationships with staff and peers for the purpose of achieving a common goal.
• maintain academic honesty and integrity, act in a responsible manner and actively contribute to society.

Canyon High School has maintained is focus on Academics, Athletics, and Activities. Students have excelled in each of these areas – and we will continue to support all our programs with the assistance of the Canyon Education Foundation.

At Canyon High School, we recognize the value and importance of timely and ongoing communication with parents. If you have questions or concerns regarding your children, please don’t hesitate to call. The following list serves as a general guideline for contacting the appropriate person:

• If you have questions or concerns regarding a particular class, the initial point of contact is the classroom teacher. Please call (714) 532-8000 and leave a voice mail message for the teacher. In addition to including a phone number in your message, it is useful to include times that you may be reached.
• The easiest way to reach teachers is by email. If you would like the email address for a particular teacher, please inquire at (714) 532-8000 or go to the Canyon High School link at the Orange USD website listed below. Please sign up for the Parent Portal by completing the Request for OUSD Parent Portal Account application available in the counseling office. It provides easy access to your child’s attendance, grades, progress reports and other key student information.
• If you have questions or concerns relating to course credit, career pathways, 4-year plans, financial aid, or personal, academic, or social concerns, please contact the appropriate school counselor at (714) 532-8000. Canyon High provides grade level counseling and your students’ counselor will track with them for a 4 years of high school. Each grade level counselor provides a weekly listserv email communication to parents who have opted in to the program. You can see the school website for information on how to join this valuable service.
• To enhance and expand our means of communication with parents, Canyon High School utilizes a web-based application known as Blackboard. On Blackboard, teachers post their classroom management plan, classroom activities, and email address. I encourage you to visit Blackboard, the link to valuable information regularly posted by the teachers of your children.

The entire Canyon High School staff and I are looking forward to the 2009-2010 school year as we work together “preparing our students for the global economy”.

Sincerely, A. Greg Bowden, Ed. D. Principal