Type Public Principal Denise L. Halstead Website laquintahs.org Phone +1 714-663-6315 | Established 1963 Grades 9–12 Mascot Aztec Color Blue and Gold | |
Similar Bolsa Grande High Sch, Los Amigos High Sch, Westmins High School, Garden Grove High School, Garden Grove Unified S | ||
La Quinta High School (or LQHS) is a public high school located in Westminster, Orange County, California, is one of seven high-schools of the Garden Grove Unified School District—recipient of the 2004 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education. It currently has the highest API score of all the high schools in Garden Grove Unified School District, and 10th in Orange County (a score of 865 in 2010), as well as a high rate of college matriculation.
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History
La Quinta High School was founded in 1963, "the fifth" high school to be founded in the Garden Grove Unified School District. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, La Quinta gained notoriety for expressed racial tensions between those of Asian and Hispanic/Latino descent. In 1994, La Quinta was known for a tuberculosis outbreak of 106 students and faculty who tested positive, and subsequent quick response and compliance with county public health officials. And in summer of 2011, another student tested with TB. In 2009, La Quinta again made headlines for student demonstrations, unexpected for a school of its demographics, in support of a teacher allegedly abused by the high school's administration.
Administration and Organization
The La Quinta mascot is an Aztec. La Quinta's current principal is Denise L. Halstead. The assistant principals are Beth Fisher, Adrian Lucero and Loan Sriruksa.
The structure of the school is divided into three main buildings. The 200 building to the east specializes in world languages, social sciences, English, business and mathematics. The 300 building to the west features classes in the science, mathematics, fine arts, and special education. The 400 building to the south houses weight rooms and classrooms for miscellaneous subjects, such as Art, French and computer graphics. The 500 buildings, which are seven portable rooms to the south of the 400 building, house social science classrooms. Students traverse the campus through the space between buildings, known as "the quad." The student store, located in the 200 building, is the center of the school's activities.
There are two primary parking lots, the junior parking lot located on Ward Street and senior parking lot on McFadden Avenue. Both lots require permits for parking. The fields south and west of the main campus have courts for sports such as basketball, soccer, track and field, tennis, football, softball and baseball. On May 16, 2016, the campus took down the junior parking lot to add more buildings, and also extended the senior parking lot.
Student body
There are about 2,150 students, grades 9th-12th, who reside in Westminster, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana. La Quinta’s student demographic breakdown is as follows; 78.2% of the students are Asian, 16.5% Hispanic, 4.3% are Caucasian, .5% Filipino and .2% Pacific Islander representing approximately 26 different home languages. The class of 2006 sent approximately 90% of its graduates to higher education; 25% to four-year colleges and 65% to two-year colleges.
Academics
La Quinta High School offers many Advanced Placement classes. AP classes, if mastered, will give students college credit in that course. Mastery is determined by a score on the AP tests given in May. A score of 3, 4, or 5 allows the student to gain college credit. La Quinta offers the following AP classes: English Literature, English Language and Composition, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science Principals, Computer Science A, Psychology, Physics B, Physics C, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, World History, US History, Economics, Civics, and Music Theory.
Athletics
La Quinta High School consists the following sports.
Current sports
Former sports
Music Department
La Quinta High School has an award winning marching band called the La Quinta High School Marching Aztecs. Their past shows include "Sacred Geometry of Chance" ft. "The Gambler" (2015), "The Machine" ft Mechanize (2014), "Playback" (2013), "One" (2012), "Heroes" (2011), "Ex Astris Scientia"(2010), "Fantasmic"(2009), "Pyramids of Egypt"(2008), "Pirates"(2007), "Cowboys"(2006), "La Nouba"(2005), "Pearl Harbor"(2004), "Jesus Christ, Superstar"(2003), "Circle of Life"(2002), "Cabaret"(2001), & "Salute to John Williams"(2000). The past music directors were Mr. James Baker and Mr. William Gustaskus. The current one is Mr. Richie Sebastian. The band currently competes in Class 5A in the SCJA (Southern California Judging Association) circuit, and has advanced to the California State Band Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They have earned second place (overall band) and high percussion in Division 4A at the CSBC (California State Band Championships) in 2013 and continued on to earn fourth place (overall) with both high percussion and high auxiliary for the first time in Division 5A in 2014.
Along with Marching and Symphonic Band, La Quinta High School offers other music classes such as Concert Choir and String Orchestra. The Vocal Ensemble and the Zero Period Advanced Orchestra have earned Superior ratings at festivals throughout Southern California. The past Vocal Ensemble and Concert Choir was Mr. Steve Hensley. The current Vocal Ensemble and Concert Choir director is Ms. Shelby Smith.
Electives
La Quinta has two elective departments: Fine Arts and Business. Fine arts students win numerous awards each year for their projects. La Quinta has one of the largest Business departments in Orange County, California; it offers classes to obtain either an Accounting Certificate or Business Ownership Certificate as a supplement to college applications or resumes.