Principal's Welcome 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to La Center High School for the 2008-09 school year. We are a school community that values the creation and maintenance of an environment where students become life long learners which prepares them for their future.  Our school is a place of pride and achievement and our students are the pride of La Center High School and our community!

Students likewise should be proud of their school and our community. We will once again open this school year with the addition of new class offerings for our students.  Fashion design and pre- AP physics are just two such notable additions. We continue to maintain optimal class sizes that maximize our district resources while providing the best learning environment possible.   We have continued to add to our diverse collection of artwork that enhances the décor of our building and lets some of our students display the best of their work.  We are most proud of the respect that our students demonstrate toward these displays and pieces. In the five years that we have enriched our halls and school with these wonderful displays we have had zero acts of vandalism, theft or breakage. I would like to invite anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to tour our wonderful school to do so. We are most impressed by all the hard work that our students do to help us respect and maintain these displays as well as our school in general.

Our ASB and class officers meet monthly and the leadership class meets daily to consider student input and suggestions to our program and activities.  If you are a student please contact an officer or leadership member to give your input.  We see our students as young men and women, young adults capable of accepting responsibility.

By fully adopting Navigation 101 last year our students can become responsible  for their own education with their parents and staff’s guidance. This class which will meet twice monthly throughout the school year allows students to determine pathways toward graduation that best meet their goals for post high school study or employment.  As a part of this curriculum students annually participate in student lead conferences with their advisor, parents and invited guests.  The faculty in our school is willing and able to lead them through their courses and requirements, but they must accept responsibility for their own personal learning and success.

That acceptance of responsibility and success is readily apparent in many measures of student learning.  Our WASL scores continue to match the state and county averages.  We just completed a three year process to adopt a new science curriculum and are currently reviewing our Math curriculum this year after a very successful 6 year run that has seen our student enrollment in upper division math increase by over 400%.  Last years AP test scores showed student success at securing college credit at an all time high.

The success of our extra-curricular activities is simply outstanding.  We have 36% of our students involved in fall athletics.  Last year we participated at the state championships in almost every sport!  Our band and choir program received wonderful reviews at multiple festivals bringing home numerous awards and giving our students unique and highly valuable growth opportunities in the arts.

Students, with your cooperation, La Center High School will continue to be an outstanding place for you to grow and achieve. Your actions and attitudes as a student will have a tremendous impact, not only on our school, but also on your level of success. It is my hope that you will make it your goal to have a positive impact. Have your goal be, how much I can accomplish, not how much can I get away with. Please make yourself familiar with the rights, responsibilities, and expectations outlined in the Student Handbook. Students, parents and community members, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me or any other staff member.

Have a great year!