Vandenberg Middle School
Mountain View Blvd. VAFB, Ca. 93437
Telephone - (805) 742-2700
FAX (805) 742-2759
24-hour Absence Reporting 742-2777
Kathi Froemming - Principal
froemming.kathi@lusd.org
Vandenberg Middle School is excited about the educational possibilities for its students. A philosophy of academic rigor and high expectations ensures that each student has the foundational skills to be successful in middle school through college preparatory coursework in high school. At the same time, an individualized approach recognizes students for where they are in terms of English and math proficiency, but also provides the necessary support framework to facilitate student growth in these important academic arenas. Our demographics are a reflection of the community in which we live with resultant obligations to those young men and women whose first language is not English, or for other reasons, have not yet mastered California standards.
Our vision of providing all students with a quality education is continually being fine-tuned and the results are reflected in this year’s master schedule. VMS added three sections of Aerospace Modeling to our elective repertoire. VMS is a natural place for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education because of our proximity to Vandenberg Air Force Base and the fact that the Endeavour Center is located on our campus. The partnership VMS is forging with the Endeavour Center clearly adds new depth to our academic program. The addition of an advanced strings and choir course further demonstrates our commitment to offering students a robust elective program – no easy task considering ongoing budget limitations.
For the first time, a summer reading incentive program has been established for all incoming eighth graders. Students are encouraged to read and keep a reading log to be turned in to their English teacher the first week of school with the top three readers awarded a $100 savings bond! According to Nancy Atwell, in her book The Reading Zone, “Every measure that looks at pleasure reading and its effects on student performance on standardized tests of reading ability -- and science and math – tell us that the major predictor of academic success is the amount of time that a student spends reading.”
Ultimately, the challenge for VMS educators is to meet the needs of a diverse student population. It is important to find the balance of resources, time and energy so that the needs of honors students, college preparatory students and students who are not yet proficient in English or math are equally considered. It is the vision of VMS to make certain that all students demonstrate literacy competencies and leave this institution prepared to be successful in high school. Finally, the hope that VMS students will thrive and be productive members of society is the common goal for all of us involved in the education of this community’s children.
