School Mission Statement

Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Academy is committed to providing a well-rounded instructional program for all students. Los Berros VAPA Academy is a place ‘where learning happens’. It is our goal to help students reach their full potential while learning life skills by integrating the arts as a pathway to learning. We provide instructional experiences in a safe environment to ensure students grow artistically, academically, socially, and emotionally.

District Profile

Lompoc is located 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County and has a population of approximately 43,500. The Lompoc Unified School District strives to provide a quality education for all its students with a wide range of programs and a talented staff dedicated to the needs of our students. The district serves approximately 9,700 students in grades PK-12 living in the city of Lompoc; communities of Vandenberg Village, Mesa Oaks and Mission Hills; Vandenberg Space Force Base; and rural areas adjacent to these communities.

School Profile

Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy focuses on teaching the whole child. Our school offers full inclusion, with special education services provided with the general education classroom following a co-teaching model. Students in grade three through six have the ability to choose arts-based learning paths by trimester taught in mixed grade classrooms. Through these electives, students develop relationships with multiple staff members and students, which contributes to the feeling of community on our campus.

School Safety

The safety of students and staff is a top priority of Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy. The school is in compliance with all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to hazardous materials and state earthquake standards. The school’s disaster-preparedness plan includes steps for ensuring student and staff safety during a disaster.

Fire and disaster drills are conducted on a regular basis. All visitors must check in at the school office and wear a visitor’s badge while on school grounds. During lunch, recess, and before and after school, teachers, administrators, and student supervision aides supervise students and school grounds, including the cafeteria and playgrounds, to ensure a safe and orderly environment.

In 1998, the Comprehensive Safety Plan was developed by the district in consultation with local law enforcement in order to comply with Senate Bill 187 of 1997. The plan provides students and staff a means to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment. Components of the Comprehensive Safety Plan include child-abuse reporting procedures, teacher notification of dangerous-pupil procedures, disaster-response procedures, procedures for safe ingress and egress from school, sexual harassment policies, and dress code guidelines. A copy of the plan is available to the public at the school and district offices. The school safety plan is updated and discussed with the school faculty annually.

School Theory of Action

Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy is committed to the integration of the visual and performing arts standards within the classroom. When arts integration is implemented as an approach to teaching in which the arts leverage learning in other subject areas such as science, language arts, mathematics and social studies, then student engagement and achievement will increase. If students are provided opportunities to learn the Visual and Performing Arts Standards, they will gain proficiencies in 21st-century skills required for success: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.