​After graduating from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, I started my career with the William S. Hart Union High School District in the fall of 1976. In 1980 I earned a masters degree in school administration from Azusa Pacific University. My first teaching assignment was at Sierra Vista Junior High School where I taught vocal music, photography, media communications, social studies, and student government (ASB). In 1983 I became the ASB Director at Canyon High School where I also taught United States History and American Government.

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When Valencia High School opened in 1994, I was selected as the first ASB Director. In the fall of 1996, I became Assistant Principal at Valencia High School and served until June 2003, when I was promoted to become the Founding Principal for West Ranch High School. While at Valencia, I was responsible for bringing in one million dollars in Digital High School grant money for technology, developing the School-to-Career program, which was recognized as a model program throughout the state, and implementing the national standards for counseling and guidance.

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I was recognized by the Santa Clarita Valley Administrator's Association as the outstanding assistant principal of the year for 2002-2003, and in 2005-2006 I was nominated for secondary principal of the year.

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Committed to working with students throughout the state of California, I was a member of the California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA) from 1978 - 2014. A highlight of working with CADA was my involvement with the CADA Leadership Camp Program. I spent summers at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Stanford University working with student leaders from throughout California. In 2009 I was inducted into the CADA Hall of Fame.

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In 2003 I became the Founding Principal at West Ranch High School. I supervised the construction of the 52 acre, eighty million dollar campus, the hiring of faulty and staff, the three million dollar athletic field improvements in phase II (completed in the spring of 2006) and phase III of construction which was the completion of the West Ranch Theater (fall of 2009.)

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I believe that students learn best when they are connected to school, are intellectually challenged, and see the connection between what they are learning and their life beyond school. Out of that philosophy came the school's focus on Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance. Long before the first classes were held at West Ranch, the leadership team, developed the school's Mission Statement and Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs), centered on Relationships, Rigor and Relevance. The mission states, "West Ranch High School is committed to challenging and motivating each student to achieve excellence and become a responsible and valuable member of society. Through relationships, rigor, and relevance, West Ranch High School promotes integrity, distinction, and vision."

 

After 38 years of service to the William S. Hart Union High School District, I retired on October 1, 2014.

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In retirement I am enjoying living life at a slower pace; rebuilding our log cabin in Pine Mountain Club, California from 2014 - 2022, traveling in our motorhome, and spending time with family and friends.

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Robert Louis Vincent

Founding Principal

West Ranch High School​​​