Academic calendar
Fall 2026 Semester runs Aug 18, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall 2026 SemesterRelevant now
- Spring 2027 Semester
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 15 of 15 terms
A
- ASB
- Associated Student Body, the student government organization responsible for campus events and clubs.
B
- Bulldogs
- The school mascot, used to refer to the student body or sports teams.
L
- Learner Profile
- A set of attributes (like 'Risk-Taker' or 'Communicator') frequently referenced in school culture and assignments.
M
- MUN
- Model United Nations, a prominent academic club on campus.
P
- Portola Pride
- A common phrase used during pep rallies and school spirit events.
- POST
- Portola Online Student Television, the school's student-run broadcast news program.
- PTSA
- Parent Teacher Student Association, the collaborative organization of parents and staff.
T
- The Cafe
- The Bulldog Cafe, the primary indoor food service area located within the Student Union.
- The Carts
- Outdoor mobile food kiosks located around the Student Union area for quick lunch options.
- The Pilot
- The Portola Pilot, the official student-run newspaper and media outlet.
- The Port
- A common shorthand nickname for Portola High School used by students on social media.
- The Quad
- The large central outdoor courtyard where students congregate during lunch and breaks.
- The Union
- The central indoor dining and social hub where students eat and congregate.
V
- VAPA
- Visual and Performing Arts, referring to the collective departments of music, theater, and visual arts.
W
- WASC
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, often discussed during accreditation cycles.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Advisement
- A specific period in the schedule for school-wide announcements, study time, and social-emotional lessons.
- Aeries
- The student information system used for checking official grades, transcripts, and attendance.
- Anchor Day
- A school day where students attend all of their class periods rather than a block schedule.
- Block Schedule
- The alternating day schedule (Odd/Even days) used to organize classes into longer periods.
- Canvas
- The Learning Management System (LMS) where teachers post daily assignments, files, and modules.
- Late Start
- Modified schedule days, typically Wednesdays, where the first period begins later than the standard start time.
- Office Hours
- Designated time blocks (usually twice a week) where students can visit teachers for extra help or makeup work.
- portola_high_school_cafeteria
- Portola High School Cafeteria
- The 100-900 Buildings
- The numerical designation for classroom wings, typically organized by department.
- The 1000 Building
- The main administrative building housing the front office and counseling.
- The 700 Building
- The dedicated Performing Arts building housing the theater and music rooms.
- The 800 Building
- The gymnasium and indoor athletic facilities.
- The Commons
- The Learning Commons, the school's modern library and collaborative study space.
- The Learning Commons
- The modern library space used for research, checking out books, and collaborative study.
- The PAC
- The Performing Arts Center, the venue for school plays, concerts, and large assemblies.
- The Stadium
- The Bulldog Stadium, the main venue for football, soccer, and track events.
- The Student Union
- The central building for dining, student activities, and indoor gathering.
- The Theater
- The Performing Arts Center (PAC), where school plays and musical performances are held.
- The Union
- The Student Union, the central hub for dining and indoor student gatherings.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall 2026 Semester runs Aug 18, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027.
- How much campus context is included?
- 15 approved campus terms and 19 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.