August 3, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Vista Del Mar’s Special Class of 2011

From left, Beverly Hills resident & Vista Co-Board Chair Lyn Konheim, Vista Co-Board Chair Rick Wolf, Shane Phelps, Vista Del Mar's President and CEO Dr. Elias LeffermanThey were a small class—about 20 in all—but the 2011 Vista School graduating seniors had accomplished big things. For these teens—all students at Vista School—earning their diplomas required much more than merely mastering the three reading, writing and ‘rithmatic. For these special needs teens, high school graduation required overcoming herculean challenges, including unimaginable trauma, severe emotional and behavioral problems, as well as learning disabilities.

The graduating seniors accepted their diplomas with great joy thanking those in the packed gymnasium for not giving up on them, and giving special thanks to the school itself.

Operated by Vista Del Mar ChildFrom left, Shane’s mom, Shane Phelps, Principle of the Vista School Donna Baker, Vice-principle of the Vista School Scott Decker and Family Services, Vista School is a nonpublic, special-education institution that currently serves some 300, K-12 students. Recently designated a “School of Excellence” by the National Association of Special Education Teachers, Vista School is reserved for youngsters with learning disabilities or developmental challenges, as well as those who experience social, emotional, or behavioral problems or other mental-health issues.

As one of the 2011 graduates, Shane Phelps, 17, put it, “Vista School actually cared about me and my future.” Before enrolling at Vista School, Shane’s future looked anything but bright. While Shane always had struggled academically, his troubles increased following the death of his dad from a drug overdose. Shane, who was 11 at the time, went on to attend a series of nonpublic schools that he characterizes as “horrible.” By seventh grade, he simply refused to go—a stance he maintained throughout eighth grade as well. Seeing no other solution, Shane’s mother placed him in Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services’ Residential Treatment Program. At the same time, Shane was enrolled in Vista School.

After living at Vista for a year and receiving intense, therapeutic treatment, Shane’s anger and depression subsided significantly and he moved back with his mom in Lakewood, but continued to attend Vista School. When he walked on stage to accept his diploma, Shane bore little resemblance to the middle-school dropout he once was. Since starting at Vista School, Shane shed 120 pounds and evolved into a mature, articulate young man with the steadfast focus to earn straight A’s in his last semester at the school.

“Without Vista, I wouldn’t have learned how to connect with other people,” Phelps explains. “Because of Vista, I want to help change the world in a positive way.”

Vista School’s Director of Education Donna Baker attributes the school’s success—including the fact that within one year, the majority of students improve two to three grade levels and 95% graduate—to the seamless melding of education and mental-health services. Another success factor is all Vista teachers are specifically trained in special education and the school features a student-to-teacher ratio of three to one. “This is a therapeutic school. Unlike public schools where special-ed students may see a counselor once a week, each of our students has a
personal therapist, and we provide individual, group, and family therapy,” said Baker who is also the mother of two Vista graduates.

For more information;www.vistadelmar.org.

Related Posts

Dr. Jane Goodall Speaking at Youth Event Wednesday at Temescal Park

September 27, 2022

September 27, 2022

Seven Arrows Elementary hosting event Wednesday for students from around region Seven Arrows Elementary, an independent kindergarten through 6th grade...

Thousands of UCLA Students Return to Campus in Westwood

September 22, 2022

September 22, 2022

By Bill Kisliuk/UCLA Newsroom UCLA welcomes an outstanding group of nearly 6,500 freshman and 3,700 transfer students in fall 2022,...

UCLA Ranked No. 1 Public University by U.S. News & World Report for Sixth Straight Year

September 14, 2022

September 14, 2022

UCLA shares the top honor among public schools this year with UC Berkeley UCLA has been the nation’s most applied-to...

UCLA International Institute Receives $8 Million in Federal Funding

August 23, 2022

August 23, 2022

Title VI funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education  Six centers of the UCLA International Institute have been awarded...

New Summer and Fall Programs Available at Santa Monica College

June 17, 2022

June 17, 2022

Santa Monica College hosted an open house event showcasing its new classes for the summer and fall semesters along with...

UCLA Class of 2022 Returns Within-Person Graduation

June 14, 2022

June 14, 2022

Alumna Katelyn Ohashi delivered the keynote address at the first full-scale, in-person commencements at Pauley Pavilion since the pandemic Alison...

Interview: LAUSD School Member Nick Melvoin. The Teacher That Puts Kids First!

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

By Nick Antonicello If you didn’t know any better, you would think LA school board member Nick Melvoin was twenty-points...

Interview: LAUSD School Member Nick Melvoin. The Teacher That Puts Kids First!

June 2, 2022

June 2, 2022

By Nick Antonicello If you didn’t know any better, you would think LA school board member Nick Melvoin was twenty-points...

Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School Unveiled

May 24, 2022

May 24, 2022

The Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School was created in partnership with Santa Monica College, the City of Santa Monica,...

Gymnast, Activist Katelyn Ohashi to Deliver UCLA College Commencement Address

April 21, 2022

April 21, 2022

The UCLA alumna will speak at all three ceremonies June 10 in Pauley Pavilion Jonathan Riggs/UCLA Newsroom Award-winning gymnast, activist...

UCLA Department Ranks No. 1 Among Public Institutions

April 5, 2022

April 5, 2022

Education Department is third among all colleges and universities  By John McDonald/UCLA Newsroom The Department of Education at the UCLA...

Outdoor Transitional Pre-K Harnesses the Power of Nature to Teach STEAM

February 11, 2022

February 11, 2022

Roots and Wings Pre-K School Teaches Kids Using STEAM Method  By Susan Payne Nestled between the Santa Monica mountains and...