Frequently Asked Questions

What Honors/AP Classes that have a “grade bump” will be offered at MHS?

For the 23-24 school year: Honors Trigonometry, AP Spanish Language, AP Art, AP Computer Science Principles, AP European History, *Honors English 10 (will be offered, even though there is no “grade bump” for this course)

For the 24-25 school year: Honors Trigonometry, AP Spanish Language, AP Art, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP European History; plus AP Chemistry, either AP Biology or AP Physics 1 (depending on course requests), AP English Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Calculus A/B, Honors Spanish 3 (if the district grade bump continues), AP United States History

For the 25-26 school year: Honors Trigonometry, AP Spanish Language, AP Art, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP European History; plus AP Chemistry, either AP Biology or AP Physics 1 (depending on course requests), AP English Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Calculus A/B, Honors Spanish 3 (if the district grade bump continues); plus an additional AP Art (depending on student interest), possibly AP Physics 2, AP English Literature 

Which Honors/AP courses offered in the district (including SCHS and WHS) have a grade bump?

All of the AP courses have a grade bump, and the following honors courses have a grade bump: Honors Trigonometry, Honors Spanish 3 (currently), Honors Chemistry. 

Why isn’t Honors Chemistry offered at MHS?

"Chemistry is a challenging course for all students. The Chemistry course at MHS will prepare all students for future on-level and AP-level science courses. The pacing and the skills in Chemistry are designed to challenge students at all levels. At MHS we believe in equity and equal opportunities for all students to take higher level classes. For this reason, the science curriculum for the first two years is intentionally planned to give all students a strong foundation in core STEM classes."

SCUSD AP and Honors course offering

When can students see their final course selections?

All student requests will be finalized on May 4th. Any course request changes have to be sent to our counselor (jugonzalez@scusd.net) no later than 6pm on May 3rd. Students will be able to see their schedules in early August. 

Is the target student to teacher ratio higher, lower, or about the same as the other high schools in the district?

The target ratios will be the same as other high schools in the district.

Have academic counselors been hired? 

On January 18th, we welcomed MacDonald High School’s new Academic Counselor, Mr. Juan Gonzalez! He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to us, and will be an amazing asset to our school community! You can email him at jugonzalez@scusd.net. 

Are P.E uniforms required?

No. P.E uniforms are not mandatory. However, there will be P.E uniforms available for purchase. Students may wear any athletic gear that conforms to the school dress code. 

Will sports conditioning and practices happen during the summer?

We are in the process of hiring coaches right now and once those positions are filled, we will be sending more information about summer athletics at MHS. Please note that none of those activities will be mandatory for students. 

What sports will you be offering students? 

We will offer any sport that the students are interested in, providing there are enough students to form a team. Click here for data on sports that students are interested in for the next school year. 

Is there a cap on the number of sports you will offer?

No, there is no limit to the number of sports that we will offer, as long as there is enough student interest to form teams.

What is the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League? How will MacDonald be a part of this league and participate in the games?

The SCVAL league is a 14 school super league with Boys and Girls teams divided into two leagues (or divisions). MHS has gained membership to the league and will be able to play with other teams in this league.

Will there be varsity and JV teams at MacDonald in 2022?

Freshman teams will be offered during the 2022-2023 school year.  Junior Varsity and Varsity teams will be offered when MacDonald High School has students in the upper grades.

Which sports will be available for girls at MacDonald High School?

If there are enough female athletes interested in any particular sport for which we can form a team, that sport will be offered. There is no restriction on the availability of specific sports for female athletes.

Are coaches being hired for the various sports?

Once there is sufficient interest in forming a particular athletic team, we will hire a coach for that team. 

Is there a budget for sports? 

Yes, there is a budget for sporting equipment, uniforms, and other essentials, including coach salaries. 

Does my child have to fundraise?

No, students do not need to fundraise for any type of athletic activity. 

How many athletes are needed to form a sports team?

Refer below to the guidelines set by Santa Clara Valley Athletic League for the number of players  for each sport. 

SCVAL Athlete Numbers

What if a sport that my student is interested in is not offered at MHS due to lack of minimum numbers to form a team?

All student athletes can encourage their classmates and friends to join as many athletic teams as possible, so that MHS can be represented in league games for all sports. MHS has state-of-the-art athletic facilities and we hope that all students make use of these facilities to their fullest ability. 

Will you offer sports PE as an option for sophomores who participated in two sports in their freshman year?

If we get enough student interest, we can offer sports PE in the sophomore year. 

When is the orientation day and school start date?

The first day for all students at Santa Clara USD is Thursday, August 11, 2022. Orientation for freshmen will happen in early August and we will be communicating more details about that in late July.

What will the school schedule look like?

MacDonald will align with all high schools in the district and start at 8:45am each day of the week.

Our current Draft Block Schedule features:

• 90 minute block periods four times per week to support structured time for direct instruction/small group collaboration/whole class activities/and independent work time.
• 55 minute periods once per week. 
• On Mondays and Thursdays, students will go to their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period classes and their 7th period class, if they have one. 
• On Tuesdays and Fridays, students would go to their 4th, 5th, and 6th period classes.
• On Wednesdays, students would go to all of their classes.
• This draft schedule also features Personalized Competency Based Learning or, “PCBL” time four times a week backed up to lunchtime. 

What is PCBL time?

PCBL refers to Personalized Competency Based Learning. As a part of PCBL time, students will attend peer-led tutorial support, and utilize individual and collaborative work time, or attend another teacher’s office hours, participate in school-wide activities and lessons, attend ASB club meetings and visit our school library, innovation center-makerspace, or student union, all under staff supervision. 

When will the school schedule be finalized?

We expect to hire all the teaching staff by spring of 2022. The staff will then vote on a school schedule for MHS. Later this spring, we will share the finalized school schedule with our parents and students.

Will there be coursework that provides college credits similar to the Mission High School program?

Yes, planning is underway to offer interested students dual enrollment with our community college partners such as Mission College.

Will there be a College and Career Center at MHS?

Yes, there will be a college and career center at MHS which will be located in the Student Union. 

How does college placement work at a new school such as MHS?

It will be similar to the other high schools, where the College and Career Center would schedule college visits, help with finding information about colleges, and host college application workshops, among other events. 

Will MHS provide career shadowing?

There will be industry partners and mentors who will provide opportunities for job shadowing across a wide range of professional fields. 

How does the school help students to be accepted to colleges like USC, Stanford, etc? Is there any quota that these universities will accept students from MacDonald?

MHS is similar to any other high school in that there are no specific quotas allotted to students to attend any college. MHS will provide students access to all UC/CSU approved A-G courses, the completion of which makes them eligible to apply to most California Colleges and Universities. Our counseling team will also ensure that all eligible students have information about the proper process and timelines required to complete their college applications. 

What classes will ninth graders take at MHS?

All 9th graders will take English, Math, Biology, PE, and a Learning Community-Based Elective Course (i.e., Introduction to Art or Exploring Computer Science). Ninth graders are also encouraged to take a World Language class. If students are interested, they may be able to take an additional elective class as part of a 7-period schedule.

When will MHS students select their classes for next school year?

We will be completing Course Request Cards with students, during our upcoming visits to your students’ middle schools March 21 through April 1, 2022. While students will be selecting the courses they would like to take, their selected classes will not reflect their final schedules. Final class placement will be determined based on a combination of factors: student requests, the learning communities that students are in, staffing availability, and room in students’ schedules.

When will my student get their final schedule?

In mid-May all students will get the list of classes they will be taking in the fall (not their actual schedule) based on the course selection card they filled out in March. At that time, they can request any changes according to the process and timeline indicated by their counselor. Once that is completed, a final schedule will be assigned to students in early August, before school starts. 

Which math courses will be available during the inaugural year? 

Algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2 will be offered at MHS. Geometry honors and algebra 2 honors will be offered based on interest. 

Will there be AP classes?

AP classes are typically offered from grade 10 onwards (AP European history) based on interest level. 

Is there a 9th grade history or social studies course?

No. In our district, the history program begins in the sophomore year. 

Is Spanish compulsory?

Spanish is not compulsory, though the University of California and  California State University systems require two years of a foreign language in high school. 

How many foreign languages will be offered?

At present, the plan is to offer Spanish. However, if there are enough students interested in another foreign language, we would strongly consider offering that course based on the requests received.

What happens if the course that we want is not being offered at MHS due to an insufficient number of students requesting that course?

Students can take the course at Wilcox or Santa Clara if:

• it fits into their schedule 
• there's room in the course at the other high school
• the student can provide their own transportation

Can a student take classes over the summer at an outside educational institution or local community college?

All current 8th graders who wish to take a class over the summer must first request an appointment with the current middle school counselor to discuss this. Once a decision has been made by the student and the family about the type of class, where they are going to take it, and expected date of completion, that information must be communicated to the MHS counselor Mr. Juan Gonzalez (email: jugonzalez@scusd.net). 

Will iReady and other assessment scores affect placement in Honors level classes?

No. Students can choose to take Honors level classes irrespective of their assessment scores. At MHS, there will be equitable access to all courses for all students, provided it can be accommodated in their schedule. 

Will MHS offer all courses that are necessary for graduating students to meet SCUSD and UC/CSU requirements?

Yes. All students at MHS would have the opportunity to access the required courses to fulfill UC/CSU and SCUSD graduation requirements. 

Can students  take an online class during the school year from an online university or a local community college?

Yes, but it must be pre-approved by MHS and it will not be in the student's final official transcript.

Will there be a Home Economics Department?

While MHS will have a fully equipped Culinary Arts Classroom, there will not be offerings related to that department during the 2022-23 school year. As we grow as a school community in the future, there will be course offerings related to Culinary Arts and Home Economics.

Can a student take fewer than seven classes during their senior year, and focus on junior college courses? 

Students are allowed to take five classes in their senior year as long as they are on track to meet all of their graduation requirements. 

What grades will MHS open for the 2022-2023 school year? 

Kathleen MacDonald High School will open for the ninth grade, a new grade will be added each year as the students progress to the next grade level.

What are the attendance boundaries for MHS? 

To view the MHS attendance boundaries visit our School Locator web page and select the 2022-2023 School Locator. 

When will registration start for new students to SCUSD?

Registration for the 2022-2023 school year begins December 1, 2021 for ninth grade. Visit our district enrollment website for details.

Does my child need to attend MHS if I live within this attendance boundaries?

If you wish your child to attend one of the other district schools under the open enrollment process. The first round of Open Enrollment for grades Kindergarten - 12 will take place between 9 a.m. on January 10, 2022, and 4:30 p.m. on February 4, 2022. Prior to applying for Open Enrollment, students not attending SCUSD for the 2021-2022 school year must register at their school of residence through our centralized Enrollment Center.

What are the steps parents need to do to enroll their student who is currently attending a middle school in SCUSD into MHS?

If your child currently attends an SCUSD school, you live within the MHS attendance area boundaries and you want your child to attend the new school, you don’t have to do anything; your child will be automatically registered for the new school.

If my current student at SCHS or Wilcox, will they be allowed to stay there? 

Yes, MHS will only open for 9th grade. 

Will my younger middle schooler be allowed to go to SCHS or Wilcox if my older child is currently enrolled in one of those schools?

Grandfathering Rule: 

• Rising 9th graders, with a rising 10th-12th-grade sibling at Santa Clara or Wilcox High School, may request that their 9th grade child attends the same school as their rising sibling.
• Transportation will continue to be provided for grandfathered students until 2024-2025.

Will MacDonald High School have as many extracurricular opportunities as Wilcox and Santa Clara high schools? 

Any extracurricular opportunities that future Condors are interested in, such as clubs, athletics, leadership, and more will be made available to students. As the school grows each year, we hope to offer a wide variety of programs to meet the needs of all our students. 

How will the music program compare to the other schools?

MHS will have a state of the art Performing Arts Theater fully equipped with instruments and necessary equipment for a robust music, band, and drama program, as we continue to build our grade levels. 

Which periods will extracurricular activities be offered and what are the clubs or sports included in extracurricular activities?

Club activities will be conducted during  lunch and after school hours, as decided by the students leading those clubs and their club advisor. All school sports activities will occur after school, depending on the coach’s availability. All league sports games will be after regular school hours.

When are MHS students eligible to do community service?

Students can start doing community service starting in freshman year.

What is a Learning Community?

Learning Communities at MHS involve the industry-themed teaming of students and teachers to create a family environment, where each person feels a sense of belonging, and the needs of all students are known and met.

How many Learning Communities will be offered at MHS and what are they?

In ninth grade, students join one of two teams; Creative Studies & Digital Art or Engineering, Design, & Entrepreneurship. Each Learning Community has a unique elective which lays the foundation for the various future potential course offerings within that Learning Community. In the Creative Studies and Digital Arts Learning Community, that elective is Introduction to Art. In the Engineering, Design, and Entrepreneurship learning community, it is Exploring Computer Science. 

What should I do if my student does not prefer either of the current Learning Community offerings?

Each student can choose upto 2 electives in their course selection card based on both the Learning Community related choice and one additional choice.

Can my student change their Learning Community after freshman year?

Our academic counselor will work with the student to place them in classes according to their interests and course offerings at MHS.

Why should my student choose a Learning Community?

Learning communities are grounded in the design thinking process with opportunities for work-based experiences, such as, in their core Learning Community-based electives, job-shadowing, internships, pre-professional mentoring opportunities. The power of our learning communities will be in the relationships that are built among students, staff, and community partners both within high school classroom and lab settings, and outside of the classroom through job-shadowing, service learning, internships, and dual enrollment at local community colleges

Is Wi-Fi available at MHS?

There will be school-wide wi-fi access available for all school issued devices at MHS.

What will the dress code be at MHS?

The dress code for all students will follow district policies and be similar to the other SCUSD high schools. 

Are you offering school tours for parents and students to visit and see the facilities and meet the teachers?

In the spring, when we hire our staff and teachers, we will provide opportunities such as coffee chats to meet with families and students. 

Will school buses be offered for transportation?

Contact the Transportation Department for information about school buses at buspass@scusd.net or (408) 423-2063

What is the Mascot for MHS?

MacDonald High School’s mascot is the Condor.

Will students be given their own personal device to use for school activities and learning?

Yes. All students will be issued a Chromebook for school use. 

Will all the facilities be ready for students to use right from the first day of school?

At present, we are expected to open with all the required facilities necessary for students and staff to teach and learn starting the first day of school. If there are any changes to this, the community will be notified ahead of time.  

What is the plan for security at MHS?

MHS will be a closed campus. Students will not be able to leave campus during school hours. There will be adequate supervision before and after school, and during lunchtime. In addition, there will be gates which will be secured during school hours. All visitors will be able to enter our campus through the Welcome Center only during those hours. 

Will the cafeteria offer a variety of food to accommodate various dietary restrictions and allergies?

MacDonald's cafeteria will have offerings similar to the other high schools with accommodations for common dietary restrictions, and food allergies such as nuts and dairy.

What are the opportunities available to MHS parents to be involved in the school community?

MHS will have a Parent Teacher Student Association and encourages all parents to be a part of the PTSA. We will also have a School Site Council and English Learner Advisory Committee, for which parents will be invited to join.

Are parents able to view test and quiz scores?

Aeries is the Student Information System used by SCUSD. All parents will have access to the Aeries Parent Portal, through which they can view their students' grades, assignments, scores, and more. 

What are the services offered for students with individual needs (IEPs, 504s)?

All the services that are necessary for students to have a successful and fulfilling high school experience will be provided at MHS. 

Is there going to be a Wellness Center?

Yes, there will be a Wellness Center staffed to support students with their social-emotional needs. 

What kind of instructional support will be offered to students?

MHS teachers will be focused on providing individual support to students in areas of need. Our proposed block schedule will allow for ample time to focus on those needs and to ensure that all students are engaged and learning on a daily basis. 

What kind of support will be given to English Language Learners?

All students will be provided appropriate levels of support to address individual needs in the areas of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. MHS will have an English Language Support Technician who will work together with students and teachers to focus on English Language and Academic Language Development.

Will there be welcome activities?

We are excited to welcome our future Condor Families and Staff! We are planning a series of welcome activities for Spring 2022 and August 2022. Welcome Day will be on August 5. The details will be updated on our website and also communicated directly to our families. We hope to see you there!

When is the orientation day and school start date?

The first day for all students at Santa Clara USD is Thursday, August 11, 2022. Orientation for freshmen will happen in early August and we will be communicating more details about that in late July.