Welcome to Granada High School!

As we look forward to another school year I would like to take a moment to share some of the success stories of 2008-09:

1)    Our Academic Performance Index (API) rose 53 points and now stands at 830. Our 53-point increase is one of the highest in the state for a comprehensive high school.

2)    Our API has now risen 124 points over the past five years – again, one of the highest gains in the state over that time span.

3)    Twelve of our sports teams reached NCS playoff last year. Six of them (Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Wrestling, Boys Track, and Diving) finishing in the top five.

4)    Students took more courses than ever before and a higher percentage of our graduates (over 60%) met UC/CSU admissions requirements.

5)    Our music program continued to thrive, finishing first or second at a number of events.

6)    Involvement in clubs, sports, and other extra-curricular activities is at an all-time high.

7)    Over four hundred students took part in the Academic Celebration Breakfast in the spring. The event honored students with GPAs over 3.67 as well as those who showed exception achievement in other areas.

We are extremely proud of the many accomplishments of 2008-09 and have very high expectations for the 2009-10 school year. Despite state budgetary cutbacks we will continue to refine curriculum so that it is engaging, challenging, and relevant to students. We will also continue to develop our instructional practices so that students are well-prepared for life beyond high school.  Of equal significance, we will continue to work to create an environment on campus that honors and expects excellence in all things.

I invite you to visit our campus. I know that you will find the students to be friendly and engaging, the teachers to be warm and caring, and the non-teaching staff to be supportive and helpful. This truly is a place where pride and school spirit are evident.

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts or concerns that you may have. Together we have built something exceptional and together we will continue to find creative and innovative ways to improve.

Go Matadors!

Chris Van Schaack