The SOAR Connection

Both Can Be True: Thriving at SOAR

Hello SOAR!

Over the past several weeks, I have written about productive struggle, asking for help, managing rigorous coursework, and recognizing when students need additional support. All of those conversations are important.

But I also want to hold space for another truth. Not every student at SOAR is stressed or struggling. Many of our students are thriving academically, socially, and emotionally while enjoying their high school and college experience. I want to congratulate you. You are learning how to navigate two systems, manage your time, build relationships, advocate for yourself, and still enjoy being a teenager. That matters.

There is also a student culture I want us to be mindful of. Sometimes stress can almost become a badge of honor. It can seem “cool” to say you were up until 2:00 a.m. finishing an assignment, that you slept less than everyone else, or that you are taking as many college courses as our guardrails will allow.

More is not always better. Exhaustion is not evidence of excellence. (Do I need to say this again for the people in the back?? lol I couldn't resist, I think I will use the bold and italic formatting button, ok #done)

Our systems and guardrails exist for a reason. Trust the process. Trust your counselor. SOAR is designed to allow students to earn their high school diploma and work toward an associate degree at a reasonable and sustainable pace. You do not have to race through the experience to prove that you belong here.

Some of our students are currently receiving mandatory academic or social-emotional support, and we will continue wrapping support around them. At the very same time, other students are doing well, finding balance, developing healthy routines, connecting with friends, participating in activities, and enjoying their experience at SOAR.

Both can be true.

Our goal is not a school filled with students who are constantly overwhelmed. Our goal is to develop young people who know how to challenge themselves, recognize when they need support, make thoughtful decisions, and build a life that allows them to thrive.

Families, there is another way I would like to strengthen our SOAR community this year: by inviting you to share your expertise with one another.

Our caregivers bring tremendous knowledge, experiences, professions, perspectives, and wisdom to our school community. This year, I will begin creating additional opportunities for families to contribute, connect, and lead.

If you are interested in

Leading a workshop for parents of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Serving on School Site Council
Participating in our African American Parent Advisory Committee (AAPAC) or said differently, if you are a parent of student with African/African American lineage
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Or, becoming involved in another way, please click the button below and complete the brief Google Form.

There are many ways to contribute to a thriving school community, and it is important to me that we surface the expertise in our community and learn from one another. We have legacy families who've supported multiple children who've graduated from SOAR and can speak to the unique needs of each grade level. I also continue to learn about the unique needs of our 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.

With a H.U.G.,

Dr. Krishna D. Spates
Proud Principal

Dream High. SOAR Higher. #WatchOurStarsSOAR

High Expectations. Unwavering Support. Genuine Belonging. (H.U.G.)

Faculty & Staff Wellness Time

Not only are SOAR students high-achieving, so are our faculty and staff. On Friday, faculty and staff from both campuses spent the day at Wolf Connection for a retreat focused on their wellness. This team gives so much to our students; they, too, deserve kindness, respect, and care. We enjoyed the day connecting with one another as one high school.

AVID 9 Students with Mr. Fields

Students created Loteria Cards with Gen Z/Alpha References in AVID 9.

Team Draco led by Ms. Mendez

Palmdale's Robotics Team (Draco - named after a constellation) preparing for it's first competition on Saturday.

On Time to Class

Our students get to experience a bit more freedom than their peers on comprehensive campuses as they move between their high school campus and Antelope Valley College. Our expectation is that students arrive to all of their classes each day, on-time. Let's partner together to ensure our students understand our expectation that they arrive to class each day, on-time.

Dress Code

This year, Antelope Valley Union High School District updated its student dress code. Please ensure your students are meeting the dress code before leaving home each day.

Students must wear a top, bottom, and footwear. Clothing must cover undergarments, not be see-through, and cover the abdomen/midriff/stomach area.
Students may not wear items that promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, profanity, hate speech, or explicit images/language.

Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe, welcoming, and ready to learn!

Mandatory SOAR High School Academic Expectations

Grade Requirement

Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in ALL high school courses.
Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in ALL AVC courses.
If a student earns a D or an F in a high school course, they will be required to repeat the course in summer school at their nearest area high school.
If a student earns a D or an F in an AVC course, they must repeat the course the following semester.

Mandatory Academic Support (MAS)

Students will be placed on MAS if they earn a single grade of D or F in any high school or AVC course, based on quarter grade reports or the preceding semester.
Students will be placed on MAS if they do not meet the requirements of our program.
Students placed in MAS must sign a contract that they will fulfill the requirements of MAS. If students do not fulfill the requirements in that semester, they may be required to leave the SOAR program.

Supporting High Impact Needs for Education (SHINE)

Students will be placed on SHINE if they earn more than one D or F in any high school or AVC course on a quarter or semester grade report, or if they were previously identified for MAS.
Students placed on SHINE must sign a contract that they will fulfill the requirements of SHINE. If students do not fulfill the requirements in that semester, they will be required to leave the SOAR program.

AVC and Academic Probation

Students that are placed on Academic Probation with AVC must fulfill all requirements from the R.I.S.E office.
Students that do not complete the requirements to be removed from academic probation within one semester will be required to leave the SOAR program.

Mandatory AVC Registration Guidelines for SOAR students

Students are required to take a minimum of one AVC course in Fall and Spring terms.
College classes cannot conflict with a student’s high school schedule.
Students are limited to courses that are listed on the Cal-GETC or on their AVC Ed Plan.
Students are required to follow the grade level specific guidelines listed below.

MAS (Mandatory Academic Support) & SHINE (Supporting High Impact Needs for Education)

Your student may have brought home a contract for MAS or SHINE if they earned Ds/Fs in one or more of their classes. Although it may not feel like it, this is support and early intervention before their semester grades post and it becomes part of their permanent academic record. If your student is not earning a C or better in their college course, it is time for a very serious conversation. Ask to view your student's progress in Canvas (the AVC learning platform). Implore them to attend office hours (tutoring) and take advantage of Tutor.com, a service provided by our high school district with LIVE tutors.

This year, students on MAS will also be required to attend a SEL Group with Ms. Mercado three times per week. Together, the group will explore a myriad of topics such as managing stress, anxiety, time management and more . . .

SOAR HS Merch on Sale

Sweatshirts $25

On sale during lunch on Tuesday, Thursday, until Nov 2, 2026

Stay Connected with SOAR Counseling

Families are encouraged to visit the SOAR Counseling Department website throughout the year for counseling information, college and career resources, upcoming events, workshops, and important updates:

Visit the SOAR Counseling Department Website

🚗 Future Ready: Road to Submit

October kicks off our Future Ready: Road to Submit Campaign! Throughout October–December, the SOAR Counseling Department will help students take important steps toward college, financial aid, and future planning.

For our seniors, we will be:

💰 Providing classroom workshops to help students complete the FAFSA/CADAA
🎓 Providing UC and CSU college application workshops
📝 Promoting college applications through UC Admissions, Cal State Apply, Common App, and the Common Black College Application
👨‍👩‍👧 Hosting our Virtual Senior Parent Information Night (October 6th). Check out the recording and presentation on our website!
🎉 Celebrating seniors as they submit their college applications

For our 9th–11th grade students, we will encourage students and families to:

💵 Check to see if they have a CalKIDS Scholarship account and claim available funds
🔎 Begin exploring and applying for additional scholarship opportunities

Our goal is to help students move from planning to submitting while making sure they have the information and support they need along the way. It’s time to get on the Road to Submit!

Please check out the Road to Submit checklist flyer for seniors and our CalKIDS flyer!

Fall Harvest Festival

SOAR Lawn

Thursday, October 29⋅10:05 – 11:45am

Senior Ads: Celebrate your graduating senior with a special yearbook tribute! Families can reserve a page in the yearbook to honor their senior’s achievements, memories, and journey through high school. Click on the QR code and a yearbook staff member will be in contact. A full page ad is $150 and a half page ad is $135. Please contact Mrs. Jefferson at sjefferson@avhsd.org for more information or https://bit.ly/soar2027seniorads

Yearbooks are currently on sale! This year is SOAR’s 20th anniversary so grab a copy before they sell out! You can purchase online at https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1642294/SOAR-High-School/ or reserve a copy for just $5 to lock in current pricing. Pay off the balance in May when books arrive. Remember, no cancellations or refunds. All sales are final.

Year-Round Pricing

Sept: $60 [PRICE No longer available]
Oct/Nov: $65
Dec: $70
Jan/Feb: $75

Palmale Campus Updates

Money Wars

Start bringing your cash to campus this week! ASB is hosting an AVID class competition Money Wars fundraiser! Paper money is positive points but you can sabotage another class with silver. Prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place class winners!

SOAR Palmdale invites friends and family to attend the Autumn Carnival

After school on Thursday, November 12th from 3:30-6pm.

There will be food, fun, music, performances, a haunted house, and club fundraising.

Journalism Updates

Celebrate Your Senior with a Yearbook Senior Ad! Honor your SOAR Palmdale graduate with a personalized message, cherished photos, and memories that will last a lifetime! Senior ads are available for $100 for a half page or $125 for a full page. Space is limited, and pages are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis once payment is received. Important deadlines: Submit your ad request by January 10, 2027, complete payment by February 5, 2027, and submit photos by February 12, 2027. Don't wait until the deadline, as pages may sell out sooner! Request your senior ad today: https://forms.gle/abFcTgpGgwKwybS17. Help us celebrate the Class of 2027 and create a lasting tribute to your senior's accomplishments!

Don't Let Your Student's High School Memories Slip Away! From friendships and unforgettable moments to milestones and school traditions, the SOAR Palmdale Yearbook captures the memories your student will treasure for years to come! Yearbooks are selling faster than ever this year, and you don't want to miss your chance to own one! Purchase yours today for just $65 before the price increases again in a couple of weeks! Quantities are limited, so don't wait until they're gone!

Visit https://tinyurl.com/2f27ep3n and enter school passcode 26741 to purchase your yearbook. Capture the memories today so your student can relive them for a lifetime!

Senior Ads

Pricing: $125 (Full Page) | $100 (Half Page)
How to Reserve: Fill out the https://forms.gle/abFcTgpGgwKwybS17
Payment: Online, or in person (exact cash/check) at the Accounting Office on Tuesdays/Wednesdays during school hours.

2. Order Your Yearbook

Option 1: Online

Visit: https://yearbookordercenter.com/jobSearch/displayHome.
Enter School Code: 26741 and verify our school name.
Click "Order a Yearbook" and follow the prompts.

Option 2: In Person

Visit the Accounting Office on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (7:30 AM – 4:00 PM).
Bring exact payment of $60 in cash or check (no payment plans available).

By Ms. Mercado, SOAR's Educational Social Worker

September Family Wellness: Recognize and Respond – PART 2

Last week, we focused on creating space for conversations about mental health. This week, we’re continuing that conversation by helping families recognize when a student may need additional support and what to do when concerns arise.

Know Your Student & Notice Changes

Teenagers naturally experience changes in mood and behavior. What can be especially important is noticing significant, persistent, or concerning changes from what’s typical for your student, such as:

Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they enjoy
Significant changes in sleep, eating, mood, or school functioning
Increased sadness, anxiety, irritability, anger, or hopelessness
Talking about feeling trapped, hopeless, or like a burden
Talking about self-harm, death, wanting to die, or suicide

One sign alone doesn’t necessarily mean a student is experiencing a crisis, but changes are an opportunity to check in.

If You’re Student Tells You They’re Struggling

Stay calm and listen. Thank them for trusting you and take what they share seriously
Ask about safety. If you’re concerned about suicide, it is okay to ask them directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking directly does not put the idea into someone’s head.
Connect them with support. Reach out to an appropriate school mental health professional, healthcare provider, or mental health professional. Continue checking in even after your student begins receiving support.

If There Are Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide

Don’t dismiss or minimize what they are experiencing. Stay with them, seek professional support, and reduce access to potentially dangerous items. If you’re student is thinking about suicide, has a plan or access to a way to harm themselves, cannot stay safe or you are unsure about the level of danger, call or text 988 for immediate crisis support. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic (BHUCC) in Lancaster is also an additional resource families have if their student is experiencing suicidal thoughts. They can also help link families up with additional mental health support such as therapy.

Family Reminder

Students need to know that struggling does not make them a burden and asking for help does not make them weak. Our response when they reach out can help make it easier for them to reach out again. A response such as: “Thank you for telling me. I’m here with you, and we’re going to find the support you need” can go a long way.

Support is Available

988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a mental health/suicide crisis.
California Youth Crisis Line: Call or Text 1-800-843-5200 for 24/7 crisis support and resource referrals for California youth and young adults age 13-24 and their families
The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 for 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24.
Crisis Text Line: text HOME or HOLA to 741741 to receive 24/7 text-based support with a trained crisis counselor

Additional Resources

Soluna App: A free and confidential mental health app that can be downloaded onto your phone for California youth and young adults ages 13-25. Students can access 1:1 coaching 24/7 with a trained counselor, self-guided wellness tools, moderate peer support, and get help connecting to additional mental health resources. *SOLUNA IS NOT A CRISIS SERVICE*
TimelyCare: A virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for AVC students. Students get additional support for common health issues such as the cold, flu, and allergies, 24/7, on demand emotional support to talk about anything including anxiety, depression, relationships, and school-related stressors, scheduled counseling, basic needs support like housing assistance, food assistance, transit support, access to self-care content, and connect with a peer community.
Kaiser Permanente’s Mental Health Line: 661-951-0070 to be connected to therapy

Purchase the Palmdale SOAR Yearbook: https://yearbookordercenter.com | Código: 26741
SOAR High School Website
SOAR High School on Facebook
Bell Schedules
The Counseling Department
SOARing Through the Stars | Palmdale Campus Student Updates & News
TheSOARce | Lancaster Campus Student Updates & News

Seniors: College Application Links

Four of the most commonly used college application platforms for our students are:

UC Application – Used to apply to University of California (UC) campuses.
Cal State Apply – Used to apply to California State University (CSU) campuses.
Common App – Used by more than 1,100 participating colleges and universities across the country and internationally.
Common Black College Application – CBCA allows students to apply to multiple participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through one application.

⭐ Fee Waiver: Common Black College Application
AVUHSD has received an application fee waiver code for students using the Common Black College Application. Students can enter the following code when completing their application:

Fee Waiver Code: AVUH27