Arcata High School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arcata High School
[[Image:[1]\|center\|]]
Address
1720 M Street Arcata, California, 95521, United States
Website
http://www.nohum.k12.ca.us/ahs/
Information

Established in the 1920's, Arcata High School, is located at 1720 M Street in downtown Arcata, California. It is the primary public high school in Arcata and includes students in grades 9 through 12. The total student population as of 2005 was 978[2]. As of 2006, the school had an ethnic makeup of 76.1% Caucasian, 7.0% Latino, 7.0% Native American, 0.3% Pacific Islander 1.6% African-American, 2.2% Asian-American, and 0.1% Filipino.[3] 5.7% of students either responded twice regarding their ethnic standing or did not respond. 10% of students receive reduced rates on lunches. 96% of teachers are fully credentialed and the average class size is 28. 88% and 90% of students pass California High School Exit Exam in math and language arts, respectively. As of 2005, the school had an API rating of 760[4].

The high school contains a charter school on campus as well as a continuation school called Pacific Coast High. As part of the Northern Humboldt Union High School District, Arcata High School is closely affiliated with the only other public high school in the district, McKinleyville High School, and groups such as the orchestra and the jazz band, as well as some drama productions combine students from the schools. Students are also allowed to take classes at the nearby Humboldt State University.

Jay Kirschner became principal of the school in 2006 after the retirement of Robert Wallace at the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

[edit] Extracurriculars

Arcata High School has a number of special programs, including the Arcata Arts Institute, which helps students with a particular interest in the arts (music, dance, acting, etc.) to pursue their interests. Arcata High also hosts CEDAR academy, a program which allows students to initiate projects that will promote growth in the high school or Arcata community. Programs in the CEDAR academy have included a project to install a solar panel system for the school. Arcata High School also has a thriving Advanced Placement Program for those who wish to have a challenge beyond high school level work and who wish to earn credit towards college. Arcata high hosts the Ar-Mac Orchestra, conducted by cello virtuoso Carol Jacobson. Also present is the youth run organization CyberTribe, an after-school group that meets in the building across from Arcata High School with the goal of technologically empowering its members, teaching teens to use computers in a business environment. Chris Hesse, the drummer from the rock band Hoobastank, went to Arcata High[5].