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Welcome to John Finney

Welcome to the John Finney Educational Complex, a vital part of Vallejo's dedication to inclusive and adaptive education. Named after John W. Finney, a devoted educator and former principal of People's High School, our complex reflects his vision of offering second chances and support to students overcoming academic challenges. Focusing on credit recovery and alternative education, we provide an environment where every student can earn their high school diploma, regardless of obstacles. With the highest staffing ratio of all campuses within VCUSD, our programs are uniquely tailored to support all students.

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Sylvia Whitson standing in front of the John Finney school sign.

What We Offer

John Finney High School

High school is different for every student. Some students enter high school, hit the ground running, and never look back. Others struggle for various reasons in the early years or at some stage as they progress toward graduation. Drawing students from all across Vallejo, John Finney High School is a unique program that allows students to work with teachers to recover credits needed to achieve graduation in a four-year timeline.

Everest Academy

Serving students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP), Everest Academy maintains a low staff-to-student ratio so that students have access to support at every turn of the day. Students on the Everest campus can range from middle school grades to post-high school as they transition into the workforce.

Learn More about the Everest Academy

Independent Study Academy

The Independent Study Academy (ISA) is designed for students who need an alternative to the traditional high school setting. ISA offers two tracks: Independent and Innovation. In both, students work with credentialed teachers and complete coursework aligned with their grade level at a traditional high school.

Learn more about the Independent Study Academy

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Empowering Success

Our programs are tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students, fostering resilience and academic growth. We firmly believe in the potential of each student to overcome barriers and succeed, ensuring that they are well-prepared for future endeavors. Many John Finney students return to their home school and graduate with their cohort class. Others may finish off their high school year at John Finney and participate in a commencement ceremony to receive their diploma.

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Our Namesake

John Finney, a native of Los Angeles' Watts neighborhood, first visited Vallejo in 1947 to play football against Vallejo Junior College. After studying Social Studies at the University of San Francisco, he spent 16 years in the juvenile division of the San Francisco Police Department before transitioning to education. In 1972, he became principal of the work-study program that grew into People's High School, increasing student attendance from 45 to 200. Now renamed in his honor, John Finney High School continues his legacy, helping students recover credits and earn diplomas.

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Interested in Volunteering?

Whether assisting in classrooms, chaperoning a field trip, or helping at a district-wide event, volunteers play a vital role in Vallejo City Unified School District's mission of delivering a high-quality education to every student.

Learn how to become a volunteer at VCUSD

VCUSD Strategic Plan Pillars

In the Vallejo City Unified School District, our strategic plan unifies the organization’s efforts around our shared mission and vision, and guiding improvement efforts.