Academics
- English
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- Visual & Performing Arts
- World Languages
- Special Education
- Library
English
Mathematics
Mathematics Department Chair: Tabatha Box
Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School Mathematics Department! Here we will provide information about the Math teachers, classes, and programs. The mathematics department strives to engage all students in active and participatory learning with the hopes of creative critical thinkers, and life-long learners.
Math Courses Offered:
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Algebra I
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Algebra I B
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Geometry
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Algebra II or Algebra II/Trig
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Financial Algebra
To access the Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II textbooks online, click here.
Meet the Mathematics Department
Sammy Box | boxs@mdusd.org |
boxt@mdusd.org | |
Michael Garcia | garciam@mdusd.org |
Miraluna Persik | persikm@mdusd.org |
Dave Swenson | swensond@mdusd.org |
Kawika Watts | wattsk@mdusd.org |
Physical Education
Physical Education Department Chair: George Streeter
Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School Physical Education Department!
Physical Education Courses Offered:
PE 9
Personal Fitness
Dance I, II, or III
Weight Training
Team Sports
Meet the Physical Education Department
Cesar Ortiz | ortizc@mdusd.org |
George Streeter | streeterg@mdusd.org |
Alejandro Visaya | visayaa@mdusd.org |
Science
Science Department Chair: Sam Garcia Islas
Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School Science Department! Here we will provide information about the Science teachers, classes, programs, and organizations.
Science Courses Offered:
Life Sciences
- Living Earth
- Physiology
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry of The Earth
- Chemistry I Honors
- IB Chemistry HL
- IB Biology HL Physics of The Universe
Meet the Science Department
Dorothy Beals |
bealsd@mdusd.org |
Sam Garcia Islas | garciaislass@mdusd.org |
Melike Jones | jonesm@mdusd.org |
Anil Nukala | nukalaa@mdusd.org |
Alefia Shipchandler | shipchandlera@mdusd.org |
Mark Tran | tranm@mdusd.org |
Social Studies
Social Studies Department Chair: James Lyon
Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School Social Studies Department! Here we will provide information about the Social Studies teachers, classes, programs, and organizations.
Social Studies Courses Offered:
- Ethnic Studies
- US History,
- World History, AP World History
- IB History HL Year I and Year 2
- US Government/Economics
Meet the Social Studies Department
Doug Forney | forneyd@mdusd.org |
Andy Hubbel | hubbela@mdusd.org |
William Kong | kongw@mdusd.org |
Ray Lucas | lucasr@mdusd.org |
Jim Lyon | lyonj@mdusd.org |
Thatcher Palmer | palmert@mdusd.org |
Sally Roth | roths@mdusd.org |
Brian Shaw | shawb@mdusd.org |
Visual & Performing Arts
Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair: Norman Remer & Noah Telles
Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School Performing Arts Department!
Visual & Performing Arts Courses Offered:
- Art I & II
- Ceramics
- Digital Music
- Guitar
- IB Visual Art
- Jazz Band
- Orchestra
- Photography
- Wind Ensemble
Meet the Visual & Performing Arts Department
Norman Remer | remern@mdusd.org |
Noah Telles | tellesn@mdusd.org |
World Languages
World Languages Department Chair: Julia Flanagan-Schmidt
¡Bienvenidos! Bienvenue! Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School World Languages Department!
World Languages Courses Offered:
- French 1, 2, and 3
- French Honors
- IB Standard Level French
- Spanish 1, 2, and 3
- Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2
- IB Higher Level Spanish Year 1 and 2
Meet the World Languages Department
Julia Flanagan-Schmidt | flanaganschmidtj@mdusd.org |
Salvador Martinez | martinezsc@mdusd.org |
Emmanuel Navarro | navarroe@mdusd.org |
Veronica Nassrallah | nassrallahv@mdusd.org |
Rosaura Ramirez | ramirezr@mdusd.org |
Special Education
Special Education Department Chair:
Welcome to the Ygnacio Valley High School Special Education department! Here we will provide information about the Special Education teachers, classes, programs, and organizations.
Meet the Special Education Department
Elizabeth Butticci | butticcie@mdusd.org |
Liz Csukas | csukasl@mdusd.org |
Janet Forney | forneyj@mdusd.org |
Kelly Perkins | perkinsk@mdusd.org |
Clifford Simmons | simmonsc@mdusd.org |
Christina Turrin | turrinc@mdusd.org |
Library
Academic Programs
International Baccalaureate
MAY 2024 ASSESSMENTS
Similar to Advanced Placement courses, IB has an exam at the end of the course which can lead to college credit. However, the IB exams are different than AP because:
- Every student has to take it--it is the same as the final given at the end of a course.
- The cost of the exam is covered by the MDUSD
- The final IB score a student receives is based off of at least TWO parts--the exam in May plus a project completed in the class.
- If a student has an IEP or a 504, similar accommodations are automatically given during the IB exam.
Students in the classes listed below have already been enrolled for the IB exams in May 2024.
- Language & Literature Higher Level (HL), Year 2
- Language & Literature Standard Level (SL)
- Spanish HL Y2
- French SL Y2
- History of the Americas HL Y2
- Psychology
- Biology HL Y2
- Math: Applications & Interpretation Y2
- Math: Analysis & Approaches Y2
- Visual Arts Y2
- Theory of Knowledge Y2
Please note: the exam schedule is set by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Similar to the AP and SAT, if a student misses the test time and date, the only option for a retake is in November 2024.
Click here for the May 2024 schedule.
UC Berkeley Field Trip
On Monday, November 27th, the student club, International Scholars, will be going to UC Berkeley for an afternoon tour. The field trip was arranged through the hard work of the club's President, Lisbet Pineda-Espinoza, with funding from the CARES After School Program.
Visits to Middle Schools to promote YVHS
Oak Grove MS Info Night: Tuesday, December 5th: 6 to 7:30 PM
The Principal, Mr. Pike, and the Program Specialist, Ms. Weintraub, visited several Mt. Diablo middle school sites to speak with parents about the opportunities YVHS offers. It was wonderful to connect with those who are open minded and interested in knowing what an education at YVHS can offer! Thank you to the following middle schools who opened their doors to us:
- Foothill MS
- Hollbrook Language Academy
- Pine Hollow MS
- Valley View MS
- Diablo View MS
- Sequoia
- Pleasant Hill MS
- Oak Grove Middle (Tuesday, December 5th)
Time to Apply!
Attention 9th and 10th graders: it's time to apply to be an International Baccalaureate student!
I'm in 9th grade - should I apply now?
YES! Even though the IB courses are for 11th and 12th graders, applying as a 9th grader guarantees your spot as an IB student.
I'm in Engineering/Ed Academy/Health Pathway and only want to take 1 or 2 IB classes - should I apply?
YES! You'll still be an Academy student. Please speak with Sgt. Edwards or Mr. Palmer regarding which IB classes you can take. You must apply in order to save your space in an IB class.
I'm not a straight-A student - can I still apply?
YES! Some people disagree, but grades aren't everything. The only thing the IB program at YVHS requires is that 1) you're interested in learning and 2) that you want to be more challenged in your classes.
I don't attend YVHS - can I be an IB student?
NO! Only students who attend YVHS can apply to be IB students. If you're interested in transferring to YVHS, please contact the MDUSD District Office and tell them you'd like to transfer here to be in the IB program.
Join us for our IB Awards Gala on Thursday night, 6 PM. We are honoring our students and teachers. Parents and community members are welcome!
Are you interested in attending? Please complete the IB Awards Gala RSVP below in the blue box so we know how many people will be attending so we can plan for enough food.
Apply Here
Students must be enrolled in YVHS to apply.
Our IB Staff
Contact Julia Flanagan-Schmidt | ext: |
IB French Teacher World Languages Depart. Chair |
Contact Sam Garcia | ext: 2107 |
IB Biology Teacher Science Depart. Chair |
Contact Andrew Hubbell | ext: 2312 | AP World History & IB Theory of Knowledge Teacher |
Contact William Kong | IB Psychology Teacher | |
Contact Veronica Nassrallah | ext: 2208 | IB Spanish Teacher |
Contact Miraluna Persik | ext: 2507 | IB Math (Statistics) Teacher |
Contact Jonathan Pike | (925) 685-8414 | Principal |
Contact Sally Roth | IB History Teacher | |
Contact Alefiya Shipchandler | (925) 684-8414 ex: 2122 | IB Chemistry & Honors Chemistry Teacher |
Contact Carissa Weintraub | Program Specialist |