Vistamar School Viewbook

There’s a better way to do high school.

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Vistamar’s one-of-a-kind program provides you with singular experiences, academic challenge, and extra-curricular opportunities so you can grow as an active and inspired learner.

We cultivate technology-rich and future-ready skills in an inclusive community that reflects the amazing diversity that is Los Angeles.

By design, Vistamar graduates enter the best colleges and universities academically prepared, socially and culturally engaged, and community-minded. Ready to start an adventure?

Discover your talents and develop your passions at Vistamar. Join us!

OUR VALUES Vistamar was founded with a commitment to academic excellence, learning through discovery, and building a community where every student feels known and valued.

Our curriculum combines the best of American independent schools with the most innovative educational practices from around the globe to prepare you to meet the social, cultural, and technological challenges ahead.

Every student graduates from Vistamar having developed a set of future-facing goals and a pathway to personal success through college and beyond.

We call it Life Planning.

Learn more about Vistamar's unique approach at

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

You take the lead, we have your back.

Our student-centered program sets you on your own journey. Vistamar’s intimate school size and supportive environment allow you the freedom to take risks, explore, and discover your unique talents and passions.

Vistamar’s academic and student life programs provide challenges and opportunities to ensure

you become the best version of yourself. We offer personalized and experiential opportunities that give you the space to explore who you are and the impact you want to make on the world. And we’re also a community that cares about health and wellness as much as goal setting and achievement.

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

"The most important lesson Vistamar has taught me is to never be afraid of failure.

Whether deciding to take a hard class or taking aAP clutch shot in & HONORS PROGRAM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS a basketball game, Choose your path by making a to stretch yourself.

21 full-year course credits Vistamarcommitment has shown At Vistamar, we support wide including: me that access true to success the AP experience • Four years of English and remain open to all students never comes without • Three years of History participating who are willing • Three years of Math a few leaps of faith." to make the commitment they require.

—Justin H. Our challenging academic Vistamar ‘24

program includes a robust offering of AP, Post-AP, and Honors courses. As part of this approach, we stress balance to ensure individual academic programs allow students to live full, happy, and healthy lives.

Recent alumni often remark that college was manageable for them because of what they learned and how they learned at Vistamar.

• Three years of a World • Language other than English • Three years of Lab Science • One year of Visual or Performing arts

• Three years of Electives • 9 out of 12 trimesters of Fitness or Athletic team participation

• Four years of ungraded

“Exploratories” investigating co-curricular interests • A Capstone Senior Project

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

You take the lead, we have your back.

Justin H. ‘24

Our student-centered program sets you on your own journey. Vistamar’s intimate school size and supportive environment allow you the freedom to take risks, explore, and discover your unique talents and passions.

Vistamar’s academic and student life programs provide challenges and opportunities to ensure

Justin is heavily involved in the life of the school. He’s part of the school Honor Council; the Ambassador Leadership Team that helps with Admissions events; the Student Hiring Committee; and tutors in the peer math tutoring program and our Writing Center. He is also on the Varsity you become the best Basketball and flag football version of yourself. We teams. Outside of school, he is offer personalized and the co-founder of a 501(c)(3) experiential opportunities non-profit organization centered that give you the space to on fighting food insecurity in explore who you are and and developing countries the impact you want to interned this summer at a venture make on the firm world.

And on investing capital focused we’re in also a community women of color entrepreneurs.

that cares about health and wellness as much as goal setting and achievement.

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

AP & HONORS PROGRAM Choose your path by making a commitment to stretch yourself.

At Vistamar, we support wide access to the AP experience and remain open to all students participating who are willing to make the commitment they require.

Our challenging academic program includes a robust offering of AP, Post-AP, and Honors courses. As part of this approach, we stress balance to ensure individual academic programs allow students to live full, happy, and healthy lives.

Recent alumni often remark that college was manageable for them because of what they learned and how they learned at Vistamar.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 21 full-year course credits including:

• Four years of English • Three years of History • Three years of Math • Three years of a World • Language other than English • Three years of Lab Science • One year of Visual or Performing arts

• Three years of Electives • 9 out of 12 trimesters of Fitness or Athletic team participation

• Four years of ungraded

“Exploratories” investigating co-curricular interests • A Capstone Senior Project

vistamarschool.org/academics 3

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

HUMANITIES We integrate English and history rather than teach them as two separate subjects.

Our innovative curriculum incorporates economic, cultural, religious, and geographic study to provide a foundational understanding of cultures across time and space. We emphasize project-based learning. Interdisciplinary topics, projects, and discussions maximize the crossover benefits of investigating the historical context of literature and exploring the cultural production of political action.

WORLD LANGUAGES Our goal at Vistamar is that you become proficient in a world language with the ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations.

We offer Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, which are the most spoken languages in the world along with English and Hindi. All of our classes are 100% immersive and scaffolded based on the level of the class. At the entry level, we focus on fluency and everyday usage of the language.

Students progress to a cognitive academic language proficiency curriculum, focusing on topics they might encounter in a multidisciplinary humanities curriculum, such as literature, arts, or music, taught in the new language. We also offer an option for heritage speakers.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Student artwork and original music fill the walls and halls of Vistamar, as creative expression is part of the culture of the school. We encourage you to develop your passions and experiment outside your comfort zone. Our faculty of “working artists” fosters your creativity as doers and creators.

You’ll choose from among jazz band, rock ensemble, theatre and film including acting and production, and visual arts such as 2D and 3D art, photography, and digital composition.

We offer classes through the advanced and AP level including AP Music Theory. Our many performance opportunities give you the space to develop and showcase your talents.

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MATH We do math differently here. VistaMath is an integrated mathematics program adapted from Phillips Exeter Academy. This is a fully problembased, student-centered, investigative approach.

At Vistamar you learn to speak the language of math – gaining the conceptual and practical math skills to apply to your future work.

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

SCIENCE

ATHLETICS AND FITNESS

Our science curriculum at Vistamar focuses on integrating disciplines taught by subject specialists each year. You'll gain a solid foundation in physics, chemistry, and biology your first two years, which prepares you for advanced courses in areas that interest you in your last two years. This design allows subject knowledge to build as your critical thinking and math skills develop.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ROBOTICS At Vistamar, you can expand your critical thinking and problem solving skills through learning and applying computer science and robotics skills. Our project-based curriculum gives you an active role in choosing your learning goals and developing competencies. Programming classes, AP Computer Science, Robotics classes, and team competitions challenge students to grow as designers, computational thinkers, and global collaborators.

We offer 20 teams in 13 sports at the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman/sophomore levels. Some 60 percent of our student body participates on a team during the year. Some of our graduates go on to play in college. All of our student-athletes gain valuable life experience through our athletics program. Those who do not join a team can participate in on campus fitness electives to fulfill their fitness requirements.

EXPLORATORY We build time into our schedule for experiential learning. We want you to have opportunities to explore what you’re passionate about and develop new interests. Some ways our students explore their interests: VistaSports Network, Life Drawing, Campus Mural Project, Vistamar Podcast, Yearbook, Classic SciFi Book Club, Gardening and more.

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

7:1

78%

faculty ratio

advanced degrees

student- to

of faculty have

SMALL CLASS SIZE

BEST IN CLASS TEACHERS

With a 7:1 student/teacher ratio and an average class size of 14, Vistamar’s exceptional faculty provide strong individual support as you navigate the rigorous and innovative academic curriculum and wider school program.

Our teachers are not only extraordinary academics and administrators; they are also passionate and dedicated educators who form respectful and long-lasting relationships with students. Every day, our faculty works to inspire you to think expansively, find connections between yourself and others, and consider your place as world citizens.

78 percent of our teachers have advanced degrees, including eight with PhDs.

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

vistamarschool.org/academics 9

"One of my favorite memories of Vistamar is campaigning to help found the swim team...

I shared my goal to swim the Catalina Channel with the coach and she was so supportive that I would achieve it one day. She was one of the first people to believe in my dream."

—Abby Bergman, Vistamar '14

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

7:1

78%

faculty ratio

advanced degrees

student- to

SMALL CLASS SIZE With a 7:1 student/teacher ratio and an average class size of 14, Vistamar’s exceptional faculty provide strong individual support as you navigate the rigorous and innovative academic curriculum and wider school program.

Abby Bergman, Vistamar ‘14

NOW A PHD CANDIDATE AT of faculty have STANFORD UNIVERSITY

A founding member of Vistamar’s swim team, Abby swam the Catalina Channel and the English Channel and is now part of a Master’s BEST IN CLASS TEACHERS team at Stanford. She credits her Our teachers are not only Vistamaracademics swim coach as the first extraordinary and coach to encourage administrators; they are alsoher to pursue her dream of swimming the passionate and dedicated channels.

Reflecting on her time at educators who form respectful and long-lasting relationships Vistamar, Abby believes Vistamar with students. our a better helped Every her today, become faculty works to inspire you thinker and she truly appreciates to think expansively, find that her mentors and teachers were connections between yourself supportive of her pursuit and her and others, and consider your academic and personal endeavors. place as world citizens.

78 percent of our teachers have advanced degrees, including eight with PhDs.

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

vistamarschool.org/academics 9

Teachers provide strong support as students navigate the rigorous curriculum.

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

ADVISORY Vistamar teachers value you as an individual and work to support you through careful listening and collaboration. In weekly advisory meetings, teachers engage with small groups across grade levels to mentor and advise. Formal and informal discussions and a slate of activities help you make connections as you develop a sense of community. Students stay in the same multi-grade level advisory groups for all four years. This allows underclassmen to make friends and be mentored by older students, and eventually mentor younger students themselves.

VISTAMAR SCHOOL Life Planners give you the attention you deserve because they work with fewer than 23 students per grade.

OFFICE HOURS We prioritize student-teacher collaboration, so we build time into your weekly schedule for mentoring and collaboration. This is a powerful habit to nurture in high school because it leads to success in college, career, and beyond.

Learn more about Vistamar’s supportive learning environment at

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LIFE PLANNING College planning is embedded in our broader concept of Life Planning, reflecting Vistamar’s commitment to preparing students for the real world. It’s a four-year process that helps students build their life skills, understand their strengths, and develop a college plan that aligns with their values. You’ll develop the tools to succeed beyond Vistamar – excel in college, do meaningful work, be engaged with your communities, and sustain fulfilling relationships. Colleges and universities appreciate our intellectually engaged and culturally competent graduates.

During the last three weeks of the school year, Vistamar seniors work in Los Angeles, across the US and abroad on their capstone experience. Working with off-campus mentors, they explore a vast array of personal interests, possible career paths, or something entirely new that they would like to explore.

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Vistamar at a glance

Learn more about Vistamar at

vistamarschool.org

Follow us @vistamarschool

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

7:1

student- to

faculty ratio

fourteen average class size

Current students on campus come from

SIXTY 80

different zip codes + unique sending schools.

49%

78% of faculty have advanced degrees

8

faculty members have PHDs

of students self-identify as people of color

18

AP classes offered

10

honors classes offered

VISTAMARSCHOOL SCHOOL VISTAMAR

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

College Matriculation Vistamar graduates stand alongside L.A.’s finest independent schools with admission to and success at the most selective colleges and universities across the country and around the world. Acceptances in the past few years have included:

• Amherst College • Brown University • Carnegie-Mellon University • Cornell University • Duke University • Georgetown University • Harvard University • M.I.T. • New York University • Northwestern University • Northeastern University • Pomona College • Princeton University • Stanford University • Tufts University • Tulane University • UC Berkeley • UCLA • University of Chicago • University of Michigan • University of Notre Dame • University of Pennsylvania • USC • Washington University in St. Louis • Yale University

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Grow together Our comprehensive school program was designed with a healthy you in mind. At Vistamar we expect you to work hard, play hard, and pursue your passions in all aspects of your life.

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

LATER START TIME

OFF-CAMPUS LEARNING

8:55 AM Class Start Time

Our expanded Off-Campus Learning Program helps you develop new skills at each grade level, providing greater challenge, new experiences and a high level of satisfaction as you grow. By joining various off-campus trips and available field study opportunities, you enlarge your comfort zone in a supportive and encouraging environment. Students in grades 9, 10 and 11 take part in a grade-level program each year. Getting off campus for this overnight retreat allows you to get to know other students better, recharge your battery, and build community. Seniors take an off campus trip together in May for bonding and goodbyes before graduation.

It’s been proven physiologically that teens perform better when they get the recommended amount of sleep.

With our later start time, you’ll get the opportunity to get more sleep and have the energy to participate fully in school and other activities.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SUPPORT Vistamar provides a year long series of programming supporting the wellbeing and mental health of teenagers.

It’s designed to provide appropriate grade-level learning for students, as well as useful information for families. The program equips you and your parents with tools to thrive.

Learn more about student experience at Vistamar at

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

"My teachers have inspired me by believing in me and encouraging me to excel. I've discovered that developing strong bonds with my teachers has benefited me all year because learning is easier and more enjoyable when I feel safe and comfortable."

VIKING COMMONS

MORNING MEETING

The Viking Commons provides all of us with a healthful, nutritious, and delicious lunch daily as a part of coming to school. We all eat lunch at the same time, so students, faculty, and staff can meet informally over a great meal every day.

Morning Meeting builds our community. Our entire student body, faculty, and staff come together three times a week to foster a community of connection and collaboration.

Learn more about student experience at Vistamar at

vistamarschool.org/vistamar-experience 17

—Chloe F. Vistamar ‘23

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Chloe F. ‘23 Chloe is a student leader with VistaCrew, a group of seniors who serve as mentors, leaders, and role models for the school.

She’s also a leader of the Black Student Union and the African American Association. Beyond our walls, she has her own business called Chloe’s Delights, creating and selling chocolate covered desserts. Creative, hands-on classes such as 3D Art and sciences are her favorite.

VIKING COMMONS

MORNING MEETING

The Viking Commons provides all of us with a healthful, nutritious, and delicious lunch daily as a part of coming to school. We all eat lunch at the same time, so students, faculty, and staff can meet informally over a great meal every day.

Morning Meeting builds our community. Our entire student body, faculty, and staff come together three times a week to foster a community of connection and collaboration.

Learn more about student experience at Vistamar at

vistamarschool.org/vistamar-experience 17

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Vistamar has over 30 active clubs on campus VARIETY OF CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES This is your school community! We encourage you from Day 1 to get involved in the life of the school and proudly affirm our unofficial motto, “no spectators.” We want you to fully engage in the broader school life through building meaningful relationships and a taking part in your own combination of activities: arts, athletics, clubs, service, leadership activities, and school-wide events. Vistamar makes time for you to do you.

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School newspaper Yearbook Robotics Pre-med club Topics in Astronomy and Science Feminist club VistaSports Broadcasting Black Student Union United Asian Association Latino Students Association Mixed Kidz Club Jewish Culture Club French Club Book Club Math Team Literary Magazine Mock Trial Investment Club Girl Up League of Legends Club Student Events and Activites Council VistaCrew Vistamar Ambassador Leadership AND MORE!

Learn more about Vistamar’s unique curriculum at

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vistamar is a leader among Los Angeles area independent schools, working hard in and out of class to ensure all voices are heard and celebrated. We infuse authentic voices into our curriculum and experiences.

The result is a vibrant and diverse community where you’ll feel engaged, stretched, and supported.

Vistamar School was founded in 2005 on the principle that diversity of thought and culture encourages the authentic exchange of perspectives, mutual respect, and a mature understanding of the world. These principles profoundly shape our multicultural curriculum, vibrant student co-curricular life, and lively family engagement and educational programming.

We practice authentic and ongoing commitment to promoting healthy social identity formation and to the shared values that unite our community, allowing us to develop greater empathy as a result.

Learn more about Vistamar’s diverse community at

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM We provide daily transportation to the school from eight different pick-up and drop off locations. At each location, a sedan driven by an experienced/certified driver picks up students for the direct drive to school.

"The most valuable aspect of the Vistamar experience was feeling comfortable enough in the community to grow into the person I'm proud to say I've become."

—Michael C. Vistamar ‘20

Current students on campus come from

SIXTY EIGHTY different zip codes

unique sending schools.

After school Learn more about Vistamar’s diverse community at

vistamarschool.org/DEI 23

Students saw an opportunity to beautify our campus and with support from faculty, began a campus murals project that has completed eight works with more on the way.

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Alumni Profile Michael C. Vistamar ‘20 TRANSPORTATION

JOHNS HOPKINS, ‘24

PROGRAM

Michael is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering.

His goal is to work at one of the major aerospace companies after graduation and he’s had summer internships at Millennium Space Systems division of Boeing.

We provide daily transportation to the school from eight different pick-up and drop off locations. At each location, a sedan driven by an experienced/certified driver picks up students for the direct drive to school.

At Vistamar, he held student leadership roles on VistaCrew, Latino Students Association, ran Cross Country and was a Yearbook events photographer. He credits his Vistamar Current students on campus comescience fromteachers for the inspiration to pursue a career in engineering.

SIXTY EIGHTY different zip codes

unique sending schools.

Students saw an opportunity to beautify our campus and with support

Learn more about Vistamar’s diverse community at

vistamarschool.org/DEI 23

from faculty, began a campus murals project that has completed eight works with more on the way.

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

VISTAMAR SCHOOL

See yourself at Vistamar!

We hope this short preview offers you a sense of our school culture and spirit, our academic program, and the many athletic and extracurricular opportunities available to you at Vistamar School. We pride ourselves on providing students with a challenging and engaging college preparatory high school experience wrapped in a supportive environment. Give us look! We’re excited to get to know you and your family during the admission process!

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VISIT

Moderated tuition program We are committed to working with qualified students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to assist with tuition costs. We’ve developed a robust, need-based program we call Moderated Tuition. Please see the Vistamar website for more information.

The best way to get to know Vistamar School is to visit our one-of-a-kind campus and see what we are all about.

During the fall, we offer in person and virtual options to attend an Open House or sessions on specific areas of interest such as STEM, Athletics, or the Arts. These events provide you the opportunity to learn more about Vistamar’s curriculum, faculty, administration, student life, college acceptances, athletics, extracurricular activities, and more. We also offer individual tours for your family. See our website to schedule.

Please email us to schedule a campus tour for your family individually at admissions@vistamarschool.org

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APPLY Vistamar School uses the Standard Application Online (SAO). To begin your application go to www.admission.org. Make sure to select "Vistamar School" from the school list.

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COMMIT Applications are due in January and candidates are notified in March.

See our website for more details vistamarschool.org/admissions

Viewbook design by Kilter

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VISTAMAR SCHOOL

Follow us @vistamarschool

VISTAMAR SCHOOL 737 Hawaii Street El Segundo, CA 90245 vistamarschool.org