DISTRICT PROGRAMS
Despite recent cutbacks in educational funding, the district has strived to maintain the integrity of its educational program. Even though the school day has been shortened, in some cases, and class sizes have increased, teachers and staff members have continued to show their determination and enthusiasm by providing quality instruction. This is evidenced by the continued improvement of district test scores over the past several years, as well as the number of college-bound students that graduate from each of the district's high schools each year. While fiscal constraints necessitated cutbacks in many program areas, the district still offers special and valuable services to students at all levels.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The district also offers a unique experience to all of its fifth grade students through the highly successful Outdoor Education Program. Developed and run by school staff members, the program is an environmental education experience which focuses on ecology, the balance of nature, and understanding the interrelations of plants and animals. It provides an extraordinary learning experience for the students as they spend 5 days living away from home under close supervision of district instructors and counselors. The program is one of the few of its kind in that it is totally directed and sponsored by the school district, with parents paying for the program through a per child fee. The curriculum for Outdoor Education brings in a mixture of concrete learning, basic skills, and many social experiences. District staff members make extensive use of outside resource personnel who conduct small seminar type classes for the students on topics from the Vanishing Whale to Land Management and Herpetology, Geology, and Indian Crafts. Invariably, the 5-day experience in the Santa Monica Mountains is one that the youngsters keep with them throughout their lives.

SPECIAL EDUCATION.
Approximaely 9% of the students enrolled in Las Virgenes receive some form of special education. Las Virgenes conducts special classes for the learning handicapped at all grade levels. Each school has a Resource Specialist Program providing part-time support for students who qualify. Remedial Speech and Language, Adapted Physical Education and Deaf and Hard of Hearing specialists work with students who have those needs. Las Virgenes works closely with Los Angeles Unified School Districts in nearby Ventura County in placing students with low incidence disabilities. Free transportation is provided for students who are placed in schools outside of their normal attendance areas. With the assistance of well trained aides and highly qualified teachers, the low adult-to-student ratio permits individualized instruction and rapid progress.

COMPUTER LITERACY
The district is in the midst of a major program to introduce classroom use of computers district-wide. Based upon a multi-year plan developed by district staff members and members of the community, students at all levels of instruction are provided with computer opportunities. Complete computer laboratories have been established at both Calabasas and Agoura High Schools, as well as the 2 middle schools at A. E. Wright and Lindero Canyon. Most elementary schools have complete labs. In addition, through donations from a variety of corporations, each high school has a complete word processing laboratory for use in their business education departments. Students are able to utilize microcomputers in a variety of settings, including computer programming, math, social sciences, English, and business. As part of the district's commitment to expanding knowledge and understanding of computers, adult classes in consumer use of computers have also been initiated for interested members of the community.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES
Each of the district's comprehensive high schools offer advanced instruction in a variety of areas through their Advanced Placement Program. The AP classes are some of the toughest academic challenges college-bound students can face. Students who take and successfully complete exams in the AP classes are given college credit for their high school work in History, English, Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and other areas as well. The district has historically enjoyed an extremely high success rate for students who take AP exams for college credit.

GATE: GIFTED & TALENTED EDUCATION
The district's GATE program is for students in grades 3-12. GATE screening takes place once each year. Students may be referred for screening by a teacher, principal, other school personnel, parents, the individual student, or by peers. Students are tested to determine eligibility for the program. Additional school performance information and teacher recommendations are used as a part of the screening process. Previously identified transfer students must meet the district's eligibility requirements prior to placement.

The elementary program consists of a 40-minute, once-a-week pull-out program for 30 weeks. Students participate in continuing enrichment activities that attempt to support the regular instructional program. Middle school students qualify for GATE-designated classes. High school students qualify for special extracurricular activities and counseling support programs.

ELEMENTARY SCIENCE PROGRAM
Science instruction for students in grades 4-5 is offered through the district's traveling science team. Instruction occurs every other day for students as part of the regular program. Curricular offerings alternate each year to avoid duplication of curriculum. Growth and development instruction is provided for all students in grades 4-5 through the science program. Parent permission is required before students may participate in growth and development instruction.

PARENT PARTICIPATION
The district has been able to build its successful programs largely through the help and support of its parents. Each school has an active parent faculty organization. These organizations not only assist the schools in individual projects but are instrumental in raising tens of thousands of dollars each year which are then channeled back into the educational program. District officials have consistently praised the work of parents and have credited such work as being one of the key factors in maintaining the district's high standards.

DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS
The district has an ongoing and active program of communication between residents in the area and the schools. District Superintendent Albert D. Marley meets regularly with parent groups to discuss district programs, plans, and problems. These meetings are open to anyone interested and are sponsored by the Parent Faculty Clubs of each school.