Academics
Monta Vista had an API score of 956 points out of 1000 as of 2012. In the class of 2009 alone, there were 42 National Merit Semi-finalists and 84 National Merit Commended students. After analyzing 21,069 public high schools in America, US News & World Report issued America's Best High Schools in 2009 which ranked Monta Vista #73. In 2007, Newsweek's 1,200 top U.S. schools ranked Monta Vista #85, the 7th Californian high school. The highest ranked school in the Fremont Union High School District, The Washington Post magazine ranked Monta Vista as the 57th best high school in the United States, the fourth highest academically performing high school in all of California, and the highest academically ranked school in the Fremont Union High School District in 2005. Though these rankings exclude private schools, many have selective admission policies, whereas schools like Monta Vista and Lynbrook do not; however, proof of residency is required for enrollment. For this reason, these rankings do not necessarily provide accurate results for all high schools.
Monta Vista Students are encouraged to take a challenging curriculum, offering up to seven classes a day. The school offers eight honors classes and fifteen Advanced Placement classes. By sophomore year, students are already taking honors-level classes, with some already taking AP-level courses such as Music Theory or Computer Science. Students are required to take two science classes, however most choose to take all three major offerings at the school (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics). Monta Vista's science offerings are particularly strong, with its Physics program known for being more challenging than entry-level college courses. In the 2010-2011 school year, Monta Vista produced four Intel International Science and Engineering Fair semi-finalists.
During students' junior and senior years, they can choose to participate in one of the alternative programs offered through De Anza College. The Middle College Program is available to juniors and seniors, while College Now is offered exclusively to members of the senior class. These programs allow students to explore interests with classes that aren't always offered at high school and build up college credits while completing the requirements for a diploma.
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