Linked Learning Academies
Linked Learning
What it is: Linked Learning makes school exciting and useful by connecting it to jobs students like. It blends tough schoolwork (ready for college) with career training, real job experiences, and help to keep going strong.
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How it works:
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Lessons center on job themes students choose, like healthcare or tech, linking all their classes.
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Teachers work together, get tips from pros, and mix in real work—like job visits or internships—so it feels like a career.
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It shows “Why do I need this?” by tying school to the real world.
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VUSD Academies: In Visalia Unified, you can pick from these Linked Learning Academies:
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Creating Aspiring Regional Educators: For future teachers or any education related workers.
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Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE): Design and build stuff like homes or bridges.
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Health Sciences: Train for healthcare jobs like nursing.
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Computer Science: Code and create new tech.
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Law and Justice: Explore legal careers.
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Sports Therapy, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Neuromuscular Gains (STRONG): Help people heal or boost sports skills.
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First Responders: Get ready to be a firefighter, emergency medical fields and various law enforcements.
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Business and Finance: Learn money and business skills.
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Media Arts: Make films or design media projects.
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Why it matters: It opens new paths to college and careers, keeps students hooked, and helps more graduate with skills for Visalia jobs and beyond.
Linked Learning Pedagogy
Linked Learning Resources
Academies Overview
El Diamante High School
Media Arts Academy
Media Arts Academy
What it is: The Media Arts Academy at El Diamante High School is a creative twist on high school, teaching students how to make movies and TV shows step-by-step.
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What students do:
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Planning (Pre-Production): Dream up stories, write scripts, sketch shots, and plan filming days.
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Filming (Production): Shoot scenes with real cameras and cool gear.
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Editing (Post-Production): Edit movies using pro software like Avid Media Composer.
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Plus, design posters with Adobe tools, make props, costumes, and sets, and pitch their ideas like pros.
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How it helps:
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Students get film-focused classes, one-on-one counseling, after-school tutoring, free use of cameras and software, college credit options, and a film industry certificate when they finish.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to try film careers, build real skills, and get a head start—perfect for Visalia students near California’s movie world.
Academy Coordinator: Nancy Nauman
Academy Lead Teacher: Spencer Carr
STRONG Academy
Sports Therapy, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, and Neuromuscular Gains (STRONG) Academy
What it is: The STRONG Academy at El Diamante High School is a cool program where students dive into sports medicine and health for athletes and everyday life.
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What students learn:
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How to stop and fix injuries—like taping a sprained ankle.
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Ways to make muscles stronger and improve performance.
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How to manage sickness or injuries.
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Tips to keep your mind and body healthy.
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They explore sciences like Biology (life), Kinesiology (moving), Chemistry (body chemistry), Anatomy (body parts), and Physiology (how it all works).
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to learn science for jobs like sports therapy, helping Visalia athletes and others stay strong and healthy.
Academy Coordinator: Nancy Nauman
Academy Lead Teacher: Tina Guzman
Golden West High School
Business and Finance Academy
Business & Finance Academy
What it is: The Business and Finance Academy at Redwood High School is a program that blends regular classes—like English, social studies, and science—with learning how to succeed in business and start your own company.
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What students learn:
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Business basics—like banking, marketing, stocks, graphic design, accounting, entrepreneurship, and managing a team.
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What students do:
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Hear from business pros and get mentors from Visalia companies.
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Try jobs through internships.
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Visit colleges and tour businesses.
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Take college classes in high school to earn credit.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to explore business careers, pick up skills like making a business plan, and get ahead for college and jobs in Visalia and beyond.
Academy Coordinator: Kimberlie Tyler
Academy Lead Teacher: Juan Lopez-Meza
First Responders Academy
First Responders Academy
What it is: The First Responders Academy at Golden West High School is a four-year program where students explore public safety careers like firefighting, emergency medical services, and law enforcement.
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What students do:
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Try real job stuff—like practicing with Visalia firefighters or EMS pros—thanks to local business and community partners.
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Take regular classes that also get them ready for college.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to gain skills and maybe even a CPR certificate, preparing students for college or public safety jobs right after graduation.
Academy Coordinator: Kimberlie Tyler
Academy Lead Teacher: William Wilson
Mtount Whitney High School
Computer Science Academy
Computer Science Academy
What it is: The Computer Science Academy at Mount Whitney High School is a program where students learn to create tech—like apps or software—not just use it.
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What students learn:
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How to design and build software.
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Writing and understanding code in languages like Python.
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IT basics, like fixing tech problems.
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Problem-solving skills that help in any job or college.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to get ready for tech careers or college, with skills to make cool stuff—like an app—and think smart for Visalia’s tech world and beyond.
Academy Coordinator: Paul Preheim
Academy Lead Teacher: Randy Nelson
Health Sciences
Health Sciences Academy
What it is: The Health Science Academy at Mt. Whitney High School is an exciting program for students into healthcare, starting in high school. It’s tied to Linked Learning and Project Lead the Way (PLTW).
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What students do:
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Take English, science, and health classes together as a team.
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Do projects like studying the human body to really get healthcare topics.
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Earn college credit with college classes and grab certificates like CPR.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to prep for healthcare jobs—like at Visalia hospitals—or college, giving students skills and a jumpstart on their passion.
Academy Coordinator: Scott Haagensen
Academy Lead Teacher: Tim Perrotta
CARE
Creating Aspiring Regional Educators
What it is: The Creating Aspiring Regional Educators (CARE) Academy at Redwood High School is a program that trains students to become teachers or education workers.
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What students do:
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Learn teaching skills—like planning a lesson or helping kids.
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Take regular classes mixed with projects about education.
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Try out teaching with real teachers or at local schools.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to explore teaching, gain skills to help others learn, and get ready for college or education jobs in Visalia.
Academy Coordinator: Scott Haagensen
Academy Lead Teacher: Kai Bolden
Redwood High School
ACE Academy
Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy
What it is: The A.C.E. Academy at Redwood High School is a four-year program where students learn to design buildings, manage construction, and engineer projects.
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What students do:
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Mix tough classes with hands-on lab work, like designing a house.
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Team up with local companies on real projects.
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Check out workplaces, join study programs, and earn college credit.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to prep for college or jobs in architecture, construction, or engineering, with skills for Visalia’s building world and beyond.
Academy Coordinator: Chris Frankland
Academy Lead Teacher: Ryan Blair
Law and Justice Academy
Law & Justice Academy
What it is: The Law and Justice Academy at Redwood High School is a program that sharpens students’ reading, writing, thinking, and speaking skills through learning about law and justice.
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What students learn:
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Where laws come from, why they exist, how they work, and famous cases—like in a mock trial.
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How to be smart, caring, and active in their community.
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Why it matters: It’s a fun way to grow skills and explore law, preparing students for college, careers like cop or lawyer, or helping out in Visalia.
Academy of Coordinator: Roy Orosco
Academy Lead Teacher: Jennifer Mcfadden