The Dalles High School Senior Anthony Zapien never envisioned himself taking Advanced Placement courses in high school. But thanks to his participation in a skill-building program, he told the school board recently he feels he passed his recent AB biology test.
A new program at The Dalles High School aimed at helping struggling ninth graders has shown early promise, with improved grades and attendance among a small starting group of students.
With the retirement of The Dalles High School Principal Nick Nelson, current Vice Principal Kurt Evans will move into the top slot on July 1. Evans, a native of Mosier who was a high school and college track athlete, began his teaching career in Portland and worked his way east, teaching in Cascade Locks for a few years before coming to the then-newly formed North Wasco County School District 21.
Two Marines will not be allowed by school policy to wear dress blues to their June 9 high school graduation, but administrators have made some concessions to recognize their military service. The mothers of Zain Hartsook, 18, and Brayden Anderson, 17, believe their sons should be granted an exemption to the requirement that they wear traditional cap and gown to The Dalles High School commencement exercise.
Continuing its extraordinary improvement trajectory, The Dalles High School’s 2017 graduation rate was 87.1 percent, more than 10 points above the state average and nearly four points above the year prior.
The Dalles High School has seen a huge improvement in its graduation rate, which jumped from 68.3 percent in 2014-15 to a whopping 83.2 percent in 2015-16. The figure is a measurement of the percentage of students who graduated “on time,” or within four years. “I’m very pleased,” said Candy Armstrong, superintendent of School District 21. “That’s a huge jump.”
The new trimester schedule at The Dalles High School has delivered on expectations, with increases in attendance and grades and drops in discipline issues.
