Sutter Union High School is well known in the Yuba-Sutter area for its skilled athletes and continued success in football, volleyball, girls’ soccer, baseball and softball. However, that isn’t all that Sutter Union High School offers its students. The key is student engagement and SUHS definitely has that.
Superintendent/Principal Ryan Robison, who has spent his entire educational career at Sutter Union High School, said that he is most proud of the student engagement that his school has. SUHS has 34 teachers who serve 805 students, grades 9-12. “Our strength is our staff,” Superintendent Robison said. “We provide core academic classes, supplements for students who need extra support and AP classes for those who want to go further.”
The balance comes in the area of cocurricular and extracurricular activities at the school. In addition to the sports program, the school provides a variety of groups and clubs including: CTE, CSF, DECA, FNL, FFA, Drama and Band. Superintendent Robison stated that two of his teachers, Doug Ahlers and Charm Hopkins, attended a DECA Conference years ago and came back excited to implement it at SUHS. DECA is an entrepreneurial business club that prepares students for business ownership and teaches them how to be creative and innovative. The goal of providing all of these clubs and extracurricular activities is to create well rounded students.
The AG Program as well as a variety of CTE programs are a big draw at the school. “We appreciate all of the CTE offerings provided by Sutter County Superintendent of Schools/Tri-County ROP,” Superintendent Robison said. “Students want hands-on classes.” Students earn a certificate of completion from most of these CTE courses that provides them with an opportunity for employment.
Another strong component of SUHS is community service. Superintendent Robison tells his students to always give back more than you take. As a result, his students participate in giving back for a variety of causes such as Hands of Hope and the Paradise Fire.
Every year 100% of SUHS seniors have a plan after high school; in 2020, 26% went to a 4-year college, 54% went to a community college, 4% attended a trade school, 4% joined the military and 12% went straight to work. Superintendent Robison said that in 2020, there was a higher percentage of students who went to work for a year in order to wait to attend in person college in the future.
"I am proud of the Sutter Union High School staff and their focus on providing opportunities for students," Superintendent Tom Reusser said. "It is a great school because what they provide creates well rounded citizens for our community."
During distance learning, SUHS has used Edgenuity. This program provides the A-G requirements, fundamentals, digital resources, as well as equal access and equitable instruction. “We have incredible staff, students and parents who have navigated distance learning together, “Superintendent Robison said. “The staff rolled out the curriculum in March with literally no notice.”
When students return to school, Superintendent Robison hopes to do so in a measured way; start with 25% of the student population, then move to 50%, then 75% until 100% of the students are attending. New routines must be in place; cleaning procedures; monitoring student physical and social/emotional wellness. According to a parent survey, 96% of students want to return to in-person learning. When students return, Edgenuity will be used for in-person and distance learning instruction. This will allow equal access to A-G required classes for all. If something happens and the school needs to close again, there will be no disruption in learning.
Sutter Union High School has been named a great school by US News and World Report. To read more about Sutter Union High School, click here.
Published: October 9, 2020
