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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
September 2026
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, August 30
Monday, August 31
Tuesday, September 1
Wednesday, September 2
Friday, September 4
Saturday, September 5
Sunday, September 6
Monday, September 7
Tuesday, September 8
Wednesday, September 9
Friday, September 11
Saturday, September 12
Sunday, September 13
Monday, September 14
Tuesday, September 15
Wednesday, September 16
Friday, September 18
Saturday, September 19
Sunday, September 20
Monday, September 21
Tuesday, September 22
Wednesday, September 23
Friday, September 25
Saturday, September 26
Sunday, September 27
Monday, September 28
Tuesday, September 29
Wednesday, September 30
Friday, October 2
Saturday, October 3
School and District News
![photo of the front of the District offices located at 255 W. Stanley Ave.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787767597/venturausdorg/nfipk1xzl99o5fimmkgx/BoardofEdMeeting-Instagram3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787767597/venturausdorg/nfipk1xzl99o5fimmkgx/BoardofEdMeeting-Instagram3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787767597/venturausdorg/nfipk1xzl99o5fimmkgx/BoardofEdMeeting-Instagram3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787767597/venturausdorg/nfipk1xzl99o5fimmkgx/BoardofEdMeeting-Instagram3.jpg","width":864}])
In an innovative move, Ventura Unified took part of the $39 million Stanley Avenue purchase price in finished housing instead of cash. The District will own those units outright and can lease them without income restrictions.
![school closures logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787353910/venturausdorg/jkvnhmtqf0pytrcflnqy/SCHOOLCLOSURES.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787353910/venturausdorg/jkvnhmtqf0pytrcflnqy/SCHOOLCLOSURES.jpg","width":500}])
At its August 20 meeting, the School Closures Advisory Committee began the first round of discussion about which elementary schools it might recommend for closure. No formal recommendations have gone to the Board of Education.
![2026 Renaissance Schools of Distinction Flyer]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787354181/venturausdorg/shbgfoa8iot8krbsadhz/WELCOMEBACK6.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787354181/venturausdorg/shbgfoa8iot8krbsadhz/WELCOMEBACK6.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787354181/venturausdorg/shbgfoa8iot8krbsadhz/WELCOMEBACK6.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787354181/venturausdorg/shbgfoa8iot8krbsadhz/WELCOMEBACK6.jpg","width":1080}])
Jostens has announced that five Ventura Unified School District schools have been named 2026 Jostens Renaissance Schools of Distinction, in recognition of their efforts to create positive school climates and cultures.
![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.
![Cover of education magazine naming VUSD 10 most admired school districts]([{"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.
![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.