Victor Valley College

Chapter 2:

Profile Of The District

1.         History Of The District

Victor Valley College was established by authority of the voters who created the district in 1960.  The college is located in the High Desert region of San Bernardino County.  The service area of the district encompasses approximately 2,200 square miles and 190,000 residents.  Communities served include Adelanto, Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, Phelan, Helendale, and Wrightwood.

Classes began in 1961 using the facilities of Victor Valley High School in the late afternoon and evening.  Construction of the present campus on Bear Valley Road in Victorville began in 1963 and the new, permanent campus opened its doors to students in 1965.  Initial buildings were constructed around the lake in the center of the campus site.  Those first facilities included the business, library, science, gymnasium, and administration buildings.

Since then, the district has maintained a planned program of new construction and improvements.  In 1968 the Music Building was completed and in 1970 the Arts Building was added.  The following year, automotive, welding, and aeronautic technical facilities were opened.  The agriculture facility was constructed in 1972 and has continued to expand.  In 1975, the district purchased and remodeled an existing building that would house the Student Center, bookstore, placement, registration, counseling, EOPS, financial aid, veteran’s services, career center, food service, board room, and student activities room functions.  In 1980 a major addition to the vocational complex was completed.  The Performing Arts Center opened in 1981 and the Allied Health Building was completed in 1983.  A new student services facility was constructed near the lake in 1988.  Recent construction includes a new student services/community conference center facility, library, science building, and gymnasium.

From its beginning, the college has offered two-year academic transfer programs and corresponding vocational education programs.  Opening enrollment in 1961 was about 500 students.  In 1998, nearly 10,000 students enroll in Victor Valley College courses in a typical year.  Today’s students take advantage of a comprehensive educational program offering a diverse array of academic, vocational, occupational, and community service programming