Education Information
Education Information
Education is a high priority in an area in which more than 90% of residents have completed high school and more than 40% have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. The communities are family oriented with active parent involvement and rich with cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity. There are three nationally recognized public school districts that serve the communities in the Conejo Valley: Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), Las Virgenes Unified School District (LUSD) and Oak Park Unified School District. Among the public schools, several have been named California Distinguished Schools by the state or are winners of the prestigious national Blue Ribbon recognition. Additionally, the area has many private schools, including Oaks Christian School, La Reina High School, Newbury Park Academy and several two or four-year colleges or universities within easy driving distance.
Conejo Valley Unified School District
The CVUSD is composed of 18 elementary schools, five middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools, and an adult school. Current enrollment is approximately 21,500 in grades in K-12. Students take the California Standards Test in grades 2-11. This is a series of tests based on the California State Standards. The results are used to compile the index known as the Academic Performance Index (API) on a scale of 200 to 1000. The state expects all schools to eventually obtain an API of 800. CVUSD has a score of 853 and has met district-wide growth targets. In order to graduate from high school students must pass the California High School Exit Exam. Recent data indicates that 92% of tenth grade students have passed the English Language Arts test and 91% have passed the Math test. Visit www.conejo.k12.ca.us for more information.
The LVUSD serves nearly 12,000 students living from Westlake Village to Calabasas. The district consists of nine elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools. District students scored above the 70th percentile in nearly all areas on the Stanford 9 Achievement Test. District and individual school scores are accessible for on-line review at the STAR Site link—begin at http://www.lvusd.k12.ca.us. Las Virgenes has demonstrated a systemic commitment to technology in education. All schools have media labs that provide access to a wide array of resources, across subject areas. The district’s mission is to ensure that all teachers and students become proficient with technological tools to improve personal productivity and encourage innovation.
Oak Park Unified School District
The OPUSD currently serves about 3,800 students with three elementary schools, one middle school, two high schools, one alternative/adult high school and one independent home school K-12. Current technology is a high priority and is available for student use at all levels. Over 95% of the district’s graduating seniors attend college. Visit their website at www.opusd.k12.ca.us.
Colleges and Universities
Advanced education is available in Thousand Oaks at California Lutheran University, an independent, diverse learning community that is committed to liberal education and rooted in the values of Christian faith. Enrollment is about 3,000 studying in 36 majors with 28 minors, in addition to professional preparation programs in specific fields of study. Within easy driving distance of the Conejo Valley are other advanced educational institutions: California State University at Northridge with 28,200 students in 60 undergraduate fields and 41 master’s fields; Moorpark and Pierce Community Colleges with approximately 15,000 and 19,000 students respectively in two-year programs; Pepperdine University, with 8,000 students in five colleges; and California State University Channel Islands, the newest four-year educational opportunity with more than 3,380 students.