High School (Grades 9-12) - New Vista School

High School Academics

New Vista School offers a high school program which provides academic learning and transition support for students looking toward a college or vocational placement. Course offerings encourage academic excellence, intellectual stimulation and executive functioning skills, while incorporating social skills development into the curriculum. Students placed in the academic and transition program must attend seven periods a day.

Through class curriculum, teachers consult and collaborate with one another to correlate topics being taught in order to fully enhance student learning and the curriculum is based on the California Common Core and Teaching Standards which have been adopted to meet the needs of New Vista School students. A cross-curriculum approach is maintained.

Students are NOT required to take and/or pass any high school exit exams in order to receive a diploma. Students may earn a high school diploma by meeting New Vista School’s requirement of 225 credits.

New Vista does not offer articulated classes for their Diploma track students other than CTE, so when students transfer directly to a CSU or a UC they may have to take prerequisite classes before they can start their coursework.

New Vista does offer the following online classes, supported by staff, that students take at Saddleback College that are recognized by UC and CSU. The classes are:

Eng1A / Eng1B,
Statistics ( Math 10) / Trigonometry
ASL
Business Math
Geology / Evolution

Students at NVS on a diploma track usually transfer to a junior college and then transfer to a CSU/UC.

Students are NOT required to take and/or pass any high school exit exam in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

Students leave New Vista with a greater sense of confidence…

In the past 3 years I have witnessed firsthand the change that takes place within students who go through our Transition program. These students leave New Vista with a greater sense of confidence after having been given the opportunity to work in a real business and gain experiences in multiple community environments. With the proper training, attitude, and a little patience, these young adults can achieve any goals they set their mind to.

Eric Warner, Transition Specialist

The options after graduation are now wide open for her…

Our daughter started New Vista in 7th grade with the plan that she would only stay there for her middle school years. We were so happy with her progress, that now, 5 years later, she is about to graduate. Thanks to the New Vista teachers and staff, she has blossomed socially and academically, and she has been able to participate in high school activities we never thought possible. The options after graduation are now wide open for her…

NVS Parent

Thank you!

I can give you a story of my son’s journey but this quote basically sums it up. “You transformed an impossible child into an adult with possibilities.” Regarding plans after Noah graduates… NVS’ adult program. I’m excited to be participating at ground level with other senior parents and Ms. Donnelly. Thank you!

NVS Parent

He received such a great education foundation…

I want to thank you all for the great job you all did with my son. He received such a great education foundation from each of you at NVS. He is doing a very good job at College. He is currently a “B plus” student on all his classes, and best of all, that he just received his first Math exam result of a 100% grade. I cannot be more proud of him and am very thankful to all NVS staff. Now he is a very responsible and independent college student.

NVS Parent

Exceeded our expectations…

Our experience at New Vista School over the past 3 plus years has been outstanding. After trying three other schools and investigating many more, we found a school that “gets” our child. The teachers and administrators have created an individualized plan, both academic and behavioral, that has exceeded our expectations.

NVS Parent

Sincere thanks to the whole NVS Staff…

Our experience at New Vista has been night and day from our previous experience in the school district public system! Teachers in the public system repeatedly said our son was unable to read and comprehend third grade books. At New Vista, our son has read 33 books in the last 4.5 months – 82% of them at a grade level of 4.6. Sincere thanks to the whole NVS Staff for your dedication and commitment in helping these kids do better in life.

NVS Parent

Copyright © 2025 | New Vista School

New Vista School | 23092 Mill Creek Drive Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Front Office: 949-455-1270

We are a private, non-profit, 501c3, WASC-accredited school serving Orange County, California. We are authorized to serve ASD students through the non-public school (NPS) option available to qualified families and school districts. Our academic and social curricula are guided by the following values: Safety, Respect, Responsibility, Initiative, Problem Solving and Resiliency.