Another year, another new Principal at Santa Ana’s Valley High School. But this time they finally hired a guy that might get the job done. Patrick D.Yrarrazaval-Correa transferred to Valley from Carr Intermediate, where he had some success. Now he is being tossed into quite a mess.
Yrarrazaval-Correa brought along many key members of his staff from Carr. But when I tried to click on his name, and the names of his staff members, over at Valley’s website, I got nothing but dead links. I hope that is not a precursor of things to come!
Yrarrazaval-Correa is also a member of the Santa Ana Planning Commission. He is an affable sort and he likes to ride a Harley in his spare time.
Yrarrazaval-Correa’s predecessor at Valley, Felicity Swerdlow, resigned on April 12, kicking off a mass protest by students. About 500 students ran amok when Swerdlow announced her resignation, according to the O.C. Register. Why she left is a mystery, but I am told she was a first-time principal and she got tired of commuting from Pasadena.
Valley High School has a unique partnership with the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, which has resulted in the creation of High School, Inc., and the implementation of seven Career Academies supporting high-growth industries in Santa Ana – Automotive & Transportation, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Engineering & Construction, Global Business, Health Care, Manufacturing, and New Media.
But Valley, under Swerdlow, was ranked 63rd out of 65 high schools, according to the O.C. Register. While the average graduate rate in Orange County is 81.7%, it is only 67.2% at Valley – with a dropout rate of 23.2%, according to the O.C. Register. In Santa Ana, only Saddleback High has a lower graduation rate – 64.6%, but Valley has the highest dropout rate of any Santa Ana high school.
Will Yrarrazaval-Correa prevail? I don’t know, but I do know that the SAUSD is in even more hot water – the millions they accepted in SIG (School Improvement Grants) back in April of last year are now in doubt as apparently SAUSD school administrators screwed up again – this time they failed to comply with parts of the SIG contract, according to an insider at the district. I am told that SAUSD administrators are scrambling to produce enough school classroom hours to keep the SIG money. Everything is on the table, including the possibility of working through the Spring Break.
Good luck to Yrarrazaval-Correa. He will need it.
Tilly’s Life Center’s (TLC) recently raised over half a million dollars to support their youth…
On November 25, 2024, at approximately 1:46 PM, Fullerton Fire and Police personnel responded to…
OCFA fire crews responded to two significant vehicle accidents in Garden Grove last Friday, requiring…
On November 24th, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Newport Beach Fire Department units NE63, NT63,…
‼️UPDATE‼️ Earlier today, our robbery detectives arrested November 20, 2024, #WantedWednesday suspect Izaya Cuellar (35)…
Late Friday night, police officers responded to Balearic Park regarding a vehicle doing “donuts” on…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
From what I hear Patrick is already failing. The school for many years was finally doing well under Swerdlow, but now with Patrick, its going down again. Patrick seems to only concentrate on academics, which I believe is great and important. However, he ignores students opinion and treats them as ignorant individuals. Of course, they're not the smartest students in the world, but we must remember what type of community these students were raised in, not the best. Many just want attention and respect, for which they do not receive from Patrick and his new administration. I've heard sooo many negative things about the new freshmen class under Patrick's new year. Watch out Patrick. LOL. We'll just wait and see the scores.
Oh, and please stop with the racist comments about illegals and blah blah. No race is perfect. just look how America is becoming, doesn't show much good things about the legals does it and do blame ur problems on illegals. Oh and if you are so preoccupied about your tax money not being spent right, tell those corporations who were bailed out. Remember that this country became great once education became free. Education is what made this country great. Unfortunately the system has not adapted and is failing like our government.. Next time make sure who you vote
He does seem to be a limo liberal.
Admin,
You are right, he's a limo liberal! He thinks he knows everything. He railroaded staff at Carr. He talked negative about parents and teachers. He needs to work on his Spanish! Wait, he thinks he speaks perfect Spanish. Always in tunnel vision with school issues, my way or the high way attitude. This guy has more weaknesses than strengths. However, I will say, let's see the API scores in August.
I just read all the comments, and I am absolutely taken aback. To the commenters posting negative comments: I bet that your remarks are based on the Valley High from 10 years ago. Ever since Mr. Patrick became principal here, there has been nothing but improvements, not only in academics but in an overall perspective. I'm on track to attend a prestigious east coast university. And besides, looking at the statistics from the so called "good high schools" (Godinez and Segerstrom), they have almost the same amount of aliens. Think before you speak/state something.
Art,
Came across this old article. To your your headline question, NO, he didn't succeed at Hell Valley High School! He lost his principalship because he's ignorant! From what I gathered, he had a feud and well...the rest is his history! Who will be the next bold principal with actual ideas and morals!