La Quinta High School (La Quinta, California)

Infobox_School | name = La Quinta High School


motto = Home of Scholars and Champions
established = 1994
type = Public
principal = Donna Salazar (Formerly Donna Hair)
faculty =
enrollment = More than 3,700
free_label = Colors
Mascot
free_text = Burgundy and Navy
Blackhawk
location = 79255 Westward Ho Drive,
La Quinta, CA
information = [phone]
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. It is a California Distinguished School among 100 other high schools in the state, for its above-average academic performance and standards. Fact|date=April 2008

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.

=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, 7 students graduated with the International Baccalaureate Diploma at La Quinta High School. Some of the graduates reported being stigmatized due to their participation in the "elitist nature" of the International International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Reportedly, all, or some of the candidates were told that they would have their names featured in the gymnasium in gold, six-inch letters, once they earned their IB diplomas. After Principal Matthew Bugg left his position in the years after 2004, the plan was ultimately suspended, and currently the names are not in the gym.

Clubs

LQHS gives access to many clubs and organizations on campus including:columns|width=50%
col1=
* Actors Anonymous
* American Cancer Society Club
* Anime Club
* Art
* ASB
* AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
* Blackhawk Brigade
* Blackhawks on Broadway
* California Scholarship Federation
* Chess Club
* Choir
* Christian Club
* Culinary Arts
* Debate
* Environmental
* Fellowship of Christian Athletes
* French Club
* Friday Night Live
* GSA
* Guitar Club
* Health Academy
* International Baccalaureate
col2=
* International Thespians' Society
* Italian Club
* Japan Club
* Journalism
* Key Club
* Lacrosse
* Leo Club
* Link Crew
* Make-A-Wish Club
* MECHA
* Photo Club
* Public Service Academy
* ROTC
* Rugby Union
* Spanish Club
* Stat Brats
* Theatre
* Winter Drumline
* Winter Colorguard
* Yearbook
* Young Republicans

Athletics

Other sports consist Tennis, 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.

Notable alumni

*Tyler Hilton - American actor and singer-songwriter
*Anthony Kim - American golfer on the Untied States PGA Tour
*Aubrey O'Day - American singer of the musical group Danity Kane
*Jeff Webb - American football player for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League
*Jeremy Castro - Fashion designer and head of production and sourcing for Silver Star Casting Company .

External links

* [http://www.dsusd.k12.ca.us/schools/LQHS/ La Quinta High School - Official Home Page]
* [http://cms.dsusd.k12.ca.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=1292 International Baccalaureate Information]
* [http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/basis04.asp 2004 Basis for Selection of Distinguished Schools - California School Recognition Program]
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12532678/site/newsweek/?s=500&np=12&sort=raa The Complete List: 1,200 Top U.S. Schools - Newsweek America's Best High Schools]