Simi Magnet School May Need Portables for Rise in Enrollment

SIMI VALLEY —  Two years after it opened as the county’s first magnet high school, increased enrollment at Santa Susana High School may warrant portable classroom installation as early as next fall.

Some see the increase as proof of the technology and performing arts program’s popularity, while others view its success as further evidence of the district’s rapid growth.

The school, which opened in September 1996, has grown by 200 students each year, bringing this year’s enrollment to more than 850, Principal Patricia Hauser said. This is the first year the school has all four grades; it offered grades 8 through 10 its first year, and 9 through 11 last year.

District officials say that 118 students will graduate in June. They expect the incoming freshman class next year to be double that size, pushing total enrollment to 1,200 next fall.

“Once kids are starting to make that choice right out of eighth grade, we’ll see enrollment increase,” said Kathryn Scroggin, assistant superintendent for educational services.

Underclassmen make up the bulk of the enrollment, with more than 500 students total in the ninth and 10th grades.

“By this time next year, I’ll have to close classes unless we bring in portables and expand the campus somewhat,” Hauser said. Although the school had a population of 1,200 when it was a junior high, officials say they would need additional classrooms to accommodate a similar number of high school students, primarily because performing arts classes require more space.

Administrators have worked to fill the empty slots. In January, they hosted an open house, held meetings at junior highs and sent recruitment letters to every eighth-grader in the district, said Robert Thompson, assistant principal at Santa Susana.

Given the size of the freshman class, Thompson believes the efforts were a success.

“I think that indicates a growing feeling in the community that Santa Susana provides an education that students find very attractive,” Thompson said.

Critics, however, say the school gets too much attention and funding, thus shortchanging the thousands of students who attend the district’s other two high schools.

But even one critic conceded the school is necessary.

“The magnet is going to have to grow because it’s the only place they have left to put the kids,” said Nan Mostacciuolo, a Simi Valley parent who has spoken against the magnet school.

Enrollments at Simi Valley and Royal high schools also have increased slightly from last year. Simi Valley has 2,321 students, and Royal reports 2,320.

Hauser is aware that some consider the school elitist.

When she recently visited another school to drop off an advertisement for a college-preview night, Hauser said, she heard the comment, “Well of course they have a nice poster. That’s the school that’s got all the money.” Said Hauser, “When you’re being examined very carefully . . . everything you do can be criticized.”

Trustees maintain they are proud to have a high school that offers classes such as computer animation.

“I think all of us recognize that we’re investing some time into developing the school we’d like it to be,” school board President Janice DiFatta said.

One person who prefers a smaller enrollment is junior Danyelle Forte, who said she loves the campus’ tight-knit community.

“It’s nicer having a smaller number,” said Danyelle, who is active in the performing arts. “You know everybody.”

Trustee Carla Kurachi said that characteristic has allowed her son Nick, a senior at Santa Susana, to excel. After taking a class, Nick joined the swing-dance club. And he has worked on lighting and sound for plays.

“He’s very creative, so for him to be in that kind of environment, he has just really flourished,” Kurachi said. “Because they’re in a smaller environment, they get more individual attention.”

The school now must weigh striking a balance between using the facilities to their capacity and maintaining the quality of the small-campus environment.

Giving individual attention is a top priority for teacher Peter Huybers. “I know them [students] by name,” he said, explaining he would like to see the school grow to about 1,000 students. “They aren’t treated like cattle.”