Options Secondary School (Commonly known as The Portal), is located in Chula Vista, California on the Chula Vista Adult School campus. It is run under the "Alternative Education" division of the Sweetwater Union High School District, which also runs the Independent Studies program. It has a small campus and a low ratio of students to teachers, in some cases, no more than twenty students in a class. The school operates on a bell schedule from 12:15 PM to 5:55 PM, with three periods a day. Period one is from 12:15 to two o'clock, followed by a twenty-five-minute lunch period. After this, second period begins at 2:30, and runs until 4:15. After a five-minute passing period, period three finishes the school day, from 4:20 all the way to 5:55.
The school opened with the original mission to cater to those with "individual learning styles", in keeping with its original name, "Sweetwater Academy for Individual Learning Styles." It was designed for those that didn't fit in at other schools, based upon learning plans. In May 2012, it was decided that the name of the school would be changed to "The Portal: A learning community", much to the chagrin of the students. Most students who have attended since before the 2012â€"2013 school year still refer to the school as "Sails". The district has tried several times to shut the school, to no avail. After Prop 32 passed in November 2012, the district received funds from taxes to upgrade and renovate campuses, as well as educational technologies. Some form of loophole prevented the school from acquiring grants that other campuses received.
Criticisms
Many common features present in other SUHSD school campuses are missing at the school, such as shade and awnings, grass or plants, a full cafeteria, or extra-curricular activities, such as sports fields or academic clubs. It has little shade or coverings, which can cause issues on days with extreme heat or rain. The original student-run store building has been condemned, but is still used, as there is no other place to store merchandise. The school is very barren, featuring blacktop/asphalt ground, with chain link fences in several places. Lunches are served from a converted classroom and consists of a variety of food items that include salads, hot, and cold lunches.
Students
Students attending the school are as diverse, if not more, than most other high schools. The Portal receives students from all over the district, from Imperial Beach to National City, to Eastlake and Otay Ranch. Students are from various backgrounds. Most students attending the Portal have for one or more reasons not been successful at a large comprehensive schools. Having smaller class size, quarter system that focuses on three classes at a time, afternoon schedule, and a school climate that fosters equality enables most students to become successful.