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WELCOME TO VENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
Ventura High School
Home of the Cougars
Our mission is to develop highly educated, well-rounded students who are excited about learning by providing all students with quality educational opportunities. We aim to engage the aspirations and abilities of all students, nurturing innovation, creativity, and collaboration as students achieve their academic and career goals at VHS. Finally, our goal is to create productive community members and to develop lifelong learners.
Welcome to Cougar Country!
Ventura High School’s vision is to prepare our diverse student body for full participation in and contribution to the global society by delivery of high-quality programs and instruction to all students in a caring atmosphere.
Our mission is to develop highly educated, well-rounded students who are excited about learning by providing all students with quality educational opportunities. We aim to engage the aspirations and abilities of all students, nurturing innovation, creativity, and collaboration as students achieve their academic and career goals at VHS. Finally, our goal is to create productive community members and to develop lifelong learners.
Our administrative and teaching staff members are here to help students define and reach their goals, and to help families guide their students towards success in high school and beyond. Please do not hesitate to contact us!
Best regards,
Marissa Rodriguez, Principal
School Calendar
May 2026
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27
Tuesday, April 28
Wednesday, April 29
Friday, May 1
Saturday, May 2
Prom
All Day
Sunday, May 3
Monday, May 4
Wednesday, May 6
Thursday, May 7
Friday, May 8
Saturday, May 9
Sunday, May 10
Monday, May 11
Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, May 13
Friday, May 15
Saturday, May 16
Sunday, May 17
Monday, May 18
Tuesday, May 19
Wednesday, May 20
Readers Faire- Main & Tuttle
All Day
Thursday, May 21
Readers Faire- Main & Tuttle
All Day
Friday, May 22
Saturday, May 23
Sunday, May 24
Monday, May 25
Tuesday, May 26
Wednesday, May 27
Friday, May 29
Saturday, May 30
Sunday, May 31
Monday, June 1
Tuesday, June 2
Wednesday, June 3
Friday, June 5
Saturday, June 6
School and District News
![image of ventura unified logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778179163/venturausdorg/qp6stwqfmkymqeoyy555/VUSD_FULLLOGO_COLOR_RGB1clearbackground.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778179163/venturausdorg/qp6stwqfmkymqeoyy555/VUSD_FULLLOGO_COLOR_RGB1clearbackground.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778179163/venturausdorg/qp6stwqfmkymqeoyy555/VUSD_FULLLOGO_COLOR_RGB1clearbackground.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778179163/venturausdorg/qp6stwqfmkymqeoyy555/VUSD_FULLLOGO_COLOR_RGB1clearbackground.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1778179163/venturausdorg/qp6stwqfmkymqeoyy555/VUSD_FULLLOGO_COLOR_RGB1clearbackground.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1778179163/venturausdorg/qp6stwqfmkymqeoyy555/VUSD_FULLLOGO_COLOR_RGB1clearbackground.png","width":2200}])
After months of negotiation sessions, impasse was declared by all parties (VUSD, VUEA, and VESPA) on May 7, 2026, when the gap between the parties could not be bridged through continued discussion. The matter will now move to mediation, where a neutral third-party mediator will be appointed by the California Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), a neutral third party that will help guide conversations toward a solution.
![student riding a skate ramp that the buena high school woodshop built for jackalope block party event]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777415890/venturausdorg/itcddz2v8a1lezd9cnkk/IMG_20260416_094747897_BURST000_COVER2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777415890/venturausdorg/itcddz2v8a1lezd9cnkk/IMG_20260416_094747897_BURST000_COVER2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777415890/venturausdorg/itcddz2v8a1lezd9cnkk/IMG_20260416_094747897_BURST000_COVER2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777415890/venturausdorg/itcddz2v8a1lezd9cnkk/IMG_20260416_094747897_BURST000_COVER2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777415890/venturausdorg/itcddz2v8a1lezd9cnkk/IMG_20260416_094747897_BURST000_COVER2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1777415890/venturausdorg/itcddz2v8a1lezd9cnkk/IMG_20260416_094747897_BURST000_COVER2.jpg","width":2200}])
Student craftsmanship, district-wide student art, and a shared gallery exhibition bring VUSD into the heart of downtown Ventura’s historic first Jackalope event, May 1-3
![words school closures with blue and white background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777409861/venturausdorg/sle5ob6nuzpimpedimwe/SCHOOLCLOSUREADVISORYCOMMITTEE12.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777409861/venturausdorg/sle5ob6nuzpimpedimwe/SCHOOLCLOSUREADVISORYCOMMITTEE12.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777409861/venturausdorg/sle5ob6nuzpimpedimwe/SCHOOLCLOSUREADVISORYCOMMITTEE12.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777409861/venturausdorg/sle5ob6nuzpimpedimwe/SCHOOLCLOSUREADVISORYCOMMITTEE12.jpg","width":1080}])
At its second meeting on April 23, 2026, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) School Closures Advisory Committee continued its work to better understand how declining enrollment is impacting schools across the district. The committee reviewed updated data and began a detailed evaluation process for each school site.
![image of cover of education magazine naming VUSD 10 most admired school districts image of football players running out bfore game with large bulldog blow up in background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777048347/venturausdorg/poikicur0e96aa9rxhdz/VUSDNamed10ofMostAdmiredSchoolDistrictsEducationMagazineApril2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777048347/venturausdorg/poikicur0e96aa9rxhdz/VUSDNamed10ofMostAdmiredSchoolDistrictsEducationMagazineApril2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777048347/venturausdorg/poikicur0e96aa9rxhdz/VUSDNamed10ofMostAdmiredSchoolDistrictsEducationMagazineApril2026.jpg","width":551}])
The Education Magazine just named Ventura Unified School District one of the 10 Most Admired School Districts, read thier article here.
![the front of the former Washington School.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758560499/venturausdorg/jqzha8vorrteijtcimhu/washingtonschoolsite.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758560499/venturausdorg/jqzha8vorrteijtcimhu/washingtonschoolsite.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758560499/venturausdorg/jqzha8vorrteijtcimhu/washingtonschoolsite.jpg","width":800}])
The Ventura Unified School District Board of Education recently took action at a Special Board of Education meeting held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, regarding three surplus properties: the Jewett Estate, Avenue School site, and Washington School site. Read more.
![photo of sydney traub, co chair of school closure advisory committee smiling into camera]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775168035/venturausdorg/khpqhhg0bbcx2was74o2/VUSDInstagrampost73.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775168035/venturausdorg/khpqhhg0bbcx2was74o2/VUSDInstagrampost73.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1775168035/venturausdorg/khpqhhg0bbcx2was74o2/VUSDInstagrampost73.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775168035/venturausdorg/khpqhhg0bbcx2was74o2/VUSDInstagrampost73.jpg","width":1080}])
The Ventura Unified School District is proud to introduce Sydney Traub as Co-Chair of the School Closures Advisory Committee.
Sydney is a 9th grader at Foothill Technology High School and previously attended Montalvo Arts Academy and Anacapa Middle School. Read More.