Delano High School
A Century of Academic Excellence and Achievement
Delano High School has come a long way in the past 10 years. In 2000, it had an API of
453 and was one of the lowest performing schools in Kern County. Since that time,
administration and staff have worked diligently to transform the school into an institution
of academic excellence. In 2010, our API went up 61 points to 756, and we are now
recognized as one of the top high schools in the county.
Next year we will be celebrating our 100 year anniversary, and our new motto, “A
Century of Academic Excellence and Achievement,” captures the essence of who we
are: we value our traditions, we are united by Tiger pride, and we serve our community
through our ongoing commitment to academic excellence. Even though many DHS
students are English language learners and/or socio-economically disadvantaged, our
students have become very successful.
Student success at Delano High School has been no accident. Changes have taken
place because of a strategic vision and a deliberate and focused effort in three specific
areas: we are a Professional Learning Community, we have outstanding Student
Support Programs, and in 2008, we embarked upon a mission of creating a strong
Academic Culture.
Delano High School expects our students not only to graduate, but to be prepared for
life beyond high school. Our student support programs are exceptional; in addition to a
rigorous, academic program which provides the courses required for college entrance
and graduation, the school provides assistance to those students who struggle
academically and need additional support to succeed. In addition to an Advanced
Placement and Honors program, DHS has an AVID program, a Health Academy, an
Agriculture program, and an award-winning music program. There are many support
systems in place for students who need remediation and intervention. The school
provides a Homework Center, an after school tutorial in all core subject areas, as well
as tutorial for Honors’ students. Credit Recovery is available after school and on
Saturdays. Special programs to prepare students for the CAHSEE include the MVP
program and additional courses for CAHSEE preparation. An Advanced Path Academy
supports students who are deficient in credits by using APEX curriculum in a four hour
school day. We have staff in place to work with dropout recovery and prevention. Our
school psychologist provides full time services and also facilitates group counseling,
including groups for drug and alcohol prevention, anger management, and grief
counseling. We have a PACT program for our expectant mothers and fathers. We are
extremely proud of our 91% graduation rate, which is possible because we monitor,
intervene, and find realistic and achievable methods for supporting students to obtain
their high school diplomas.
Through our collaboration model, we have created a true professional learning
community: a network of skilled educators who collaborate and who expect to succeed.
The cohort model has been in place since the inception of the ACES (Assessment of
Core Exit Standards) in 2003. Our teachers meet regularly in their cohort groups to plan
and make decisions relating to curriculum, identify effective instructional strategies, and
to evaluate assessment data. At the site level, monthly department chair meetings and
leadership team meetings are held. Our collaborative approach to decision making
allows all stakeholders to participate in determining the needs of the school and
students, to accept responsibility for meeting these needs, and to build leadership
capacity. The site administrative team participates in many District-level leadership
forums, coordinating the efforts of all sites and programs in such critical areas as
curriculum, instruction, assessment, athletics, and board policy.
For the past two years, a concerted effort has been made to create an academic
culture, where academic success is the norm, and college attendance is expected.
Administration, teachers, counselors, and support staff have worked together with the
support of parents to create an atmosphere of high expectations for all students.
Recognition of student academic success occurs regularly with Student of the Month
celebrations, attendance recognition, and motivational activities. Teachers and students
are committed to doing “whatever it takes” to encourage students to do well on ACES,
CSTs, CAHSEE, and CELDT tests. Teacher and administrator participation in academic
rallies and celebrations is part of the school tradition, and reflects our “Tiger Pride,”
which is emphasized on a regular basis. School spirit and dress up days are part of the
school tradition, and now take place not only in support of athletics, but in support of
academics as well. Students are encouraged to display their “Tiger Pride” by taking
rigorous courses and performing well in these classes.
There are over 33 active clubs on campus, serving many areas of interest and offering
many positive learning and social opportunities. Many of these clubs are academically
based including our Link Crew, MESA, We the People, and Mock Trial teams. AVID has
become institutionalized, with AVID strategies such as Cornell Notes being utilized
schoolwide. Athletic participation is an integral part of student life, and our athletic
teams receive strong, enthusiastic support from both the DHS community and the
community of Delano.
Delano High School is a success story because the administration and staff have a
vision of academic excellence and a belief that the students of Delano, regardless of
their background or challenges, have the ability to be academically successful. A culture
of high expectations and excellence is now the norm for the staff and students of
Delano High School. We are a family, a community of educators who work together to
achieve the extraordinary and sustain the great 100 year Tiger tradition of academic
excellence and achievement.