La Quinta High School (La Quinta, California)

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La Quinta High School
Home of Scholars and Champions

School type	Public
Established	1994
Principal	Donna Salazar
Students	More than 2,700
Colors Mascot	Burgundy and Navy Blackhawk
Location	79255 Westward Ho Drive, La Quinta, CA
Information	(760)772-4150
Website	http://www.dsusd.k12.ca.us/schools/LQHS/

La Quinta High School is a public high school for grades 9-12. It is located in La Quinta, California and has a current enrollment of about 2,700.

1 Principal's Message
2 Staff
3 History
4 Academics
5 Clubs
6 Athletics
7 Notable Alumni
8 External links

[edit] Principal's Message

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to La Quinta High School, home of the Blackhawks, the Coachella Valley’s first high school to be twice named a “California Distinguished School” and to garner the first-ever state award for Exemplary Career and Technical Education, in 2005. We are an exciting and innovative high school that integrates new technology and the latest trends in teaching and methodology within a magnificent facility. We are one of only sixty-six high schools in California to offer the International Baccalaureate Program which is considered by many to be the most rigorous academic course of study in the world. Additionally, we have been selected as one of the top 75 most promising schools in America to participate in the International Center for Leadership in Education’s five-year Successful Practices Network; this is an initiative to incorporate the latest research-based instructional practices into our school to bring increased academic rigor and relevance to our students, as well as to forge the strongest possible relationships between our staff and our students.

We have selected professional educators who have made reputations for themselves as being dedicated to helping students realize their full academic and personal potential. A student’s positive self-esteem is the first step toward a successful school experience. We want to provide an environment where a student can bond with the school and staff. We offer many academic pathways to success for our students, including IB, AVID, Health and Public Service Academies, an Education Pathway, and a Culinary Arts Institute.

Our counselors are prepared to help students in a variety of ways and are a positive resource for both students and parents. We have an IB Coordinator, an MYP Coordinator, and an AVID Coordinator who also work closely with the students and families who are involved in those programs. The administration is always ready to sit down with students and parents to discuss concerns, and open communication between home and the school in encouraged. To see what programs each administrator is responsible for and how to contact them please visit the administration page.

I invite you to become involved in the school either through student activities or our parent advisory committees. I hope that you will work hard with us and enjoy the benefits of a “cutting edge” comprehensive high school program.

-Donna Salazar Principal

[edit] Staff

La Quinta High School is proud of its sound academic program and dedicated faculty. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The academic program focuses on the college bound student, thus the graduation requirements reflect the prerequisites for admission to the University of California and the California State University systems.

Over ninety percent of La Quinta High School graduates pursue higher education. Over fifty-five percent of each graduation class enrolls directly in four year colleges and approximately thirty-five percent in Community Colleges.

A rigorous program is offered to qualified students through honors and advanced placement courses in the following subject area: English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. More than two hundred students participate in the Advanced Placement Program and may qualify for college credit through examination in May each year. The goal of the academic program at La Quinta High School is to prepare students to meet the challenges of their future endeavors.

[edit] History

La Quinta High School was founded in 1994. It had an enrollment of about 600 students in grades 9-10 in its first year. Over the past 12 years, it has obtained several awards, including 3 California Distinguished School awards. Since ---- it has also been an International Baccalaureate School. After Matt Bugg's departure, former English teacher and vice principal, Donna Salazar, assumed his position. The school newspaper is called the Hawkview.

[edit] Academics

LQHS offers Advanced Placement, IB, and honors classes. There is also a Health Academy, Public Service Academy, and Culinary Arts program to immerse students in vocational work in preparation for life after high school.

In 2006, the high school was ranked 617th in Newsweek's "The Complete List: 1,200 Top U.S. Schools" which factored the number of Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students at a school in 2005 divided by the number of graduating seniors, along with the socio-economic background of the student body at the school.

[edit] Clubs

LQHS gives access to many clubs and organizations on campus including:

Actors Anonymous
Anime Club
Art
ASB
AVID
Blackhawk Brigade
Blackhawks on Broadway
Chess Club
Choir
Christian Club
Culinary Arts
Debate
EAST Lab
Environmental
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Friday Night Live
GSA
Health Academy
International Baccalaureate
International Thespians' Society
Italian Club
Journalism
Key Club
Leo Club
MECHA
Photo Club
Public Service Academy
ROTC
Spanish Club
Stat Brats
Theatre
Winter Drumline
Winter Colorguard
Yearbook
Young Democrats
Young Republicans

[edit] Athletics

LQHS thrives in traditional high school sports as well as more unusual ones such as lacrosse and rugby, which is a new addition as of the 2005-2006 school year. Other sports consist of swimming, waterpolo, baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, golf, and cross country. La Quinta High School's main athletic competition (rival) is Palm Desert High School. The La Quinta High football team has won 2 CIF championships and made the finals in 2006. In 2007 the Boy's Soccer team made the CIF finals against fellow desert valley league school, Coachella Valley High.