Sequoia Middle School (Newbury Park, California)

Sequoia Middle School is a school located in Newbury Park, California under the Conejo Valley Unified School District. It serves a student body of about 1100 in grades 6-8. It is located in Newbury Park just south of the US 101 on Borchard Road.

Classes offered at Sequoia Middle School include the CVUSD middle school curriculum of math, social sciences, English, and science. There is also Physical Education, Exploratory (computers, art, cooking, poetry, horticulture), choir, three levels of Band, High-School Level Spanish I, Journalism, ASB (Associated Student Body), and cross-age tutoring. Sequoia Middle School is on a block schedule, unlike most other middle schools. The block Schedule is where every other day has three classes instead of one day having all the classes. For an example, if Monday would have classes 1A,2A, and 3A, and Tuesday would have classes 1B, 2B, 3B. This pattern alternates and Monday is not always an A day. This allows students to attend three 90 minute core classes in a single day, and gives students a day between classes to complete their homework. Sequoia Middle School offers several levels of math including CORE, standard, CP (College Placement), and honors for varying aptitude of various students in math, different levels of English, science, and history including standard, CP, and Honors for students of varying aptitude in each of the subjects. Students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and exemplary citizenship are rewarded through Sequoia's three-tiered "Renaissance Program" and receive special t-shirts and regular recognition and reward on campus. Students are offered the opportunity and encouraged to work towards reaching Renaissance status every trimester.

In 2010-2011, Sequoia Middle School began offering specialized courses through it's newly-created school within a school, DISCOVER Academy of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Using engineering and applied sciences as interdisciplinary themes, the academy stresses hands-on, innovative, and inquiry-based instruction to encourage a lifelong love of learning in students.

Sequoia Middle School is composed of seven main buildings or complexes, each represented by a letter from A-G. The A, B,and G buildings are a mix of seventh and eight grade classrooms. The C building is for sixth graders. The D building is the Auditorium, Cafeteria, and Office building. The E building houses the school Library and a mixture of miscellaneous classrooms such as the science lab and the band room. The F building is the Physical Education Complex housing locker rooms and an indoor gymnasium. Local teams practice soccer on the outdoor field after school hours.

Sequoia Middle School is home to the Royal Blue Band led by Karla Stevenson. The band mostly does local performances, including the annual Conejo Valley All Band Festival held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center. The Sequoia Singers Chorus, directed by Rebecca Davey, represents the voices of Sequoia's students. Participants in chorus practice every morning during a zero period class and prepare to perform traditional concerts in winter and spring. Many dedicate the second trimester to after-school rehearsals and weekend performances in the annual musical production. The Sequoia Singers also represent the school at the Conejo Valley All District Chorus Performance held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center. Sequoia's ASB makes many contributions to this school as well. The ASB, guided by plans dances, socials, and the exciting Fun Fridays. Journalism does the annual yearbook and KSEQ news. Many contributions have been made by ASB, the Royal Blue Band, the Sequoia Singers, and the Journalism staff.

Every year, the school participates in many events including a 5K, the Ventura County Science Fair, both the geography bee and the spelling bee, We the People, Magic Music Days, Annual Musicals, Coastal Cleanup Day, Civil War re-enactments, etc. The school services all of Newbury Park except the Dos Vientos Ranch. Most students who graduate from Sequoia Middle School attend Newbury Park High School.

Achievements

Sequoia was the only middle school awarded the California Distinguished School status in 2011 in Ventura County.

Sequoia Middle School also participates annually in the national Odyssey of the Mind competition. Teams representing the school have placed in the top three in the region and gone on to compete in the state championship competition every year since 2009.

Sequoia has been represented for three years at the State Geography Bee and the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the County and State levels.

Sequoia has also been represented at the State Science Fair for multiple years running.

Sequoia Middle School has a Statewide Ranking of "9" and a Base API score in 2010 of 868. Sequoia's 2010-2011 Accountability Progress Reporting (APR) may be viewed on the California Department of Education website.

External links

• Sequoia Middle School's Website
• Ventura County Star - Editorial April 14, 2011
• Sequoia Singers 2011 Musical performance "'Lil Abner"
• Boys & Girls Club construction of new facility on Sequoia campus - opening Fall 2011