Greetings, Falcon Families!
We had another exciting week at Independence, with our Falcons showcasing their talent and hard work throughout the county!
Congratulations to our Debate Team for an incredible showing at last weekend’s first league tournament! Our students displayed poise, preparation, and excellence, bringing home top honors across both Varsity and JV divisions.
🏆 Varsity Awards
- Katelyn Villegas-Rodriguez: 2nd Place
- Adelynn Solis: 3rd Place
- Citlali Soto: 3rd Place
🏆 JV Awards
- Jaden Chairez: 1st Place
- Mercy Langford: 3rd Place
- Raquel Medina: 3rd Place
- Nimrat Grewal: 3rd Place
We are so proud of our Falcon debaters for their hard work, courage, and dedication. This is only the beginning of an exciting season. Way to represent Independence with RISE!
Our Virtual Enterprise students attended the KHSD Virtual Enterprise fall workshop at CTEC on Friday. More than 330 students from across Kern County attended, participating in breakout sessions for human resources, marketing, accounting, public speaking, and more! The first trade show of the year - during which students showcase their businesses and sell their products - will be held on November 14 at CTEC.
Our students in FFA have worked incredibly hard to prepare for the Kern County Fair, where they’re demonstrating their skills in a variety of agricultural disciplines! We encourage you to visit their impressive displays at this year’s fair!
Don’t miss our big home game against Liberty this Friday! Come out and cheer on our amazing Falcon athletes! Tickets may be purchased on GoFan.com, and all Independence students get in free with their ID cards!
Progress reports were mailed out this past Friday! If your student is struggling in one or more subjects, please consider one of the academic support options provided by IHS. We have started our after-school tutoring program - students can seek help in math and science on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:15 - 5:15 in the library. There’s a bus that arrives at 5:30 for students who need transportation.
Another valuable resource that’s available to students at school and at home is Tutor.com. This website provides 24/7 live, online tutoring services to students in any subject. Tutoring can be via text or video chat, and all tutors are highly trained professionals that can support students with any needs they might have. This includes reviewing concepts, homework assistance, essay review, and study help for upcoming tests. Find more information on Kern High’s Digital Resource page.
Our counselors will be hosting a parent night this Wednesday, September 24, with sessions for all grade levels - if you have questions about programs, pathways, deadlines, or applications, this is the time to meet with our team! You can attend the 5:30pm session or the 6:45pm session - whichever works best for your schedule!
Students are fully enrolled in their AP courses, so now it’s all about staying on top of deadlines:
- October 24, 2025 – Deposit due ($40 per exam; $20 for qualifying low-income students). To qualify for a reduced-price exam, you must complete the Alternative Income Form
- February 20, 2026 – Final payment due ($59 per exam; $40 late fee if deposit not made).
- May 4–15, 2026 – AP Exam Testing Window. Check our school calendar for more information.
- July 2026 – Individual AP exam scores available online
All deposits and fees are non-refundable after deadlines. Stay organized and keep these dates handy. Success starts with preparation!
Please note: no food deliveries are allowed on campus for safety reasons. We appreciate your cooperation to help keep our campus secure!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - we are always grateful for your ongoing support and involvement at IHS.
Sincerely,
Guillermo Alvarado, Ed.D.
Principal, Independence High School
