In , high school Principal C. Pollock saw the need to provide more educational opportunities for adults and set up forums featuring lectures by professors from Southern California colleges. The school eventually offered Simi Valley adults a chance to obtain diplomas in their time off from farm jobs, and during World War II some students were able to attend classes while also working in defense plants. The school even set up a cannery to preserve foods for the war effort.
Pollock served as the adult school principal for 28 years, Simi Valley historian Pat Havens said. It was in the s under the leadership of Director Will Hopp that the school developed its current focus on vocational training. As the population has aged and become more diverse through immigration, the educational efforts have turned to medical training, English as a second language, computer courses and recreational classes for senior citizens.
These programs are filled months in advance and usually involve work-experience partnerships with hospitals and other professional medical facilities in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
In the medical field, there are classes for vocational nurses, respiratory therapists, surgical technologists, electrocardiography technicians and physical therapy and chiropractic assistants, among others. There are really good careers in those areas.
The current principal, Marirose Kozak, said the needs of modern society are constantly bringing changes to the school. Decades ago, the school offered classes in office skills like shorthand.
