EPIC High School: Enrollment Strong, WASC Accreditation Cycle On Track 

Fall enrollment at EPIC de Cesar Chavez High School continues to be strong, says Principal Jaime Quinonez, who is clearly pleased with the results of all the new efforts at EPIC High School. Only on the job for six months, Quinonez says student enrollment is currently at one of its highest rates and outreach to the community continues on pace. 

“We are very pleased at our current enrollment numbers and stay steadfast in our commitment to serve our community and the underserved population,” adds Ines DeLuna, FIELD/EPIC Board Chair.  

EPIC High School’s ongoing accreditation process continues, with the most recent visit by the WASC academic team visiting the school for two days, Nov. 4-5, noted Assistant Principal Tamar Asatryan. The WASC team had originally toured the campus in March, made some recommendations, then returned earlier this month to ensure the actions plans were being implemented. 

“We worked very hard to implement all the recommendations, and it paid off. The visit was very positive. We expect a final report by the end of the year,” said Asatryan. 

She’s especially proud of the PLC – Professional Learning Community – process they’ve implemented which gives the program increased academic rigor. The PLC process covers the mission, vision, values and goals of the educational program. “That philosophy guides our curriculum.” 

EPIC’s goal is to prepare students for success – either moving on to higher education, to career training courses, or to starting their own businesses. “Our diplomas mean something to our students, and to the academic community.” She points out EPIC graduates can go on to higher education institutions around the state. One student applied to multiple University of California campuses and was accepted at all of them, she says. 

And the student satisfaction data bears them out. A recent EPIC student satisfaction survey said that 99% of EPIC students said the program effectively helped them reach their goals. “Our students come to us for the tools to succeed. And we’re doing that.” 

“This program is very near and dear to my heart,” Asatryan shares. “My parents came to this country from Lebanon not speaking English, and having never graduated high school. They struggled. A program like EPIC would have really helped them.”