La Quinta High School (La Quinta, California)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| La Quinta High School | |
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Home of Scholars and Champions
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| Location | |
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| 79255 Westward Ho Drive, La Quinta, CA |
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| Information | |
| Principal | Donna Salazar (Formerly Donna Hair) |
| Enrollment |
More than 2,700 |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1994 |
| Information | (760)772-4150 |
| Colors Mascot |
Burgundy and Navy Blackhawk |
| Homepage | 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. It is a California Distinguished School among 100 other high schools in the state, for its above-average academic performance and standards.[citation needed]
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[edit] History
La Quinta High School was founded in 1994. It had an enrollment of at least 100 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 the 2001-2002 academic year it has also been an International Baccalaureate School. After Matthew Bugg's departure, former English teacher and vice principal, Donna Salazar, assumed his position.
[edit] Academics
LQHS offers Advanced Placement, IB, and honors classes. There is also a Health Academy, Public Service Academy, Education Pathaway, and Culinary Arts program to immerse students in vocational work in preparation for life after high school. LQHS is an alternative to both Palm Desert High School and Indio High School when it comes to this variety of elective courses available.
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.
In June of 2004, there were 7 graduates with the International Baccalaureate Diploma at La Quinta High School. Sierra Boettcher, Chelsea Cross, and Breanna Wilhelmi were three best friends who received this honor by working together to support one another through their high school years. They graduated the June 3 procession in white gowns, in the top 30 students of their class, and continued on to college in the fall of 2004. Boettcher and Cross went to Redlands University in Redlands, California, while Wilhelmi went to University of California, Santa Barbara. There were numerous controversies throughout their high school experience, as the young women were stigmatized for their participation in the elitist nature of the IB program. The young women were also told that they would have their names, emboldened in gold, six-inch letters in the La Quinta High School gymnasium, once they earned their IB diplomas. After Principal Matthew Bugg left his position in the years after 2004, this guarantee was ultimately suspended, and the names are still not in the gym. The three women provided the high school and their instructors with a reputation of pride, but were subsequently denied from the glorification of their achievements as they were earlier promised by the LQHS faculty.
[edit] Clubs
LQHS gives access to many clubs and organizations on campus including:
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[edit] Athletics
Other sports consist swimming, waterpolo, baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, golf, rugby union and cross country. La Quinta High is also the only school in the Coachella Valley with a club lacrosse and rugby union program. La Quinta High School's appointed main athletic competition (rival) is Palm Desert High School. La Quinta High School was the first school in the Coachella Valley to ever win two consecutive CIF football championships and made the finals in 2006.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Tyler Hilton American singer and actor
- Aubrey O'Day American singer of the group Danity Kane
- Jonathan Ingram American football player, formerly of the Miami Dolphins
- Michael Craven American arena football player, formerly of the Los Angeles Avengers
- Jeff Webb American football player currently on KC Chiefs
- Anthony Kim PGA Championship tour currently 51st on money list. 1.5 million 2007
- Jacob Pearly died in a fatal motor accident on Highway 74, just years after his graduation.
[edit] External links
- La Quinta High School (La Quinta, California) is at coordinates Coordinates:
- La Quinta High School - Official Home Page
- International Baccalaureate Information
- 2004 Basis for Selection of Distinguished Schools - California School Recognition Program
- The Complete List: 1,200 Top U.S. Schools - Newsweek America's Best High Schools
