La Quinta High School (Westminster, California)

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.

Not to be confused with La Quinta High School (La Quinta, California).
La Quinta High School
Address
10372 McFadden Ave.

Westminster, California
Coordinates33.7365°N 117.9483°W / 33.7365; -117.9483
Information
TypePublic
Established1963
PrincipalTahnee Phan[1][2][3]
Staff85.03 (FTE)[4]
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,133 (2018-19)[4]
Student to teacher ratio25.09[4]
Color(s)Blue and Gold    
MascotAztec
Websitelaquintahs.org

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.[5][6] 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.[7] In 2009, La Quinta again made headlines for student demonstrations in support of a teacher allegedly abused by the high school's administration.[8]

Administration and organization

The La Quinta mascot is an Aztec. La Quinta's principal is currently Tahnee Phan.[1][2][3] The assistant principals are Wendy Rhinehart, Loan Sriruksa, and Adrian Lucero.

The structure of the school is divided into seven main buildings as well as several portable classrooms. To the north of campus are the 100, 200 and 300 buildings. The 100 building holds most english classrooms, the 200 is mostly social science classrooms and 300 building specializes in world languages and special education. To the east are the 600 building for art, business and Vietnamese, 700 building for science classes, and the 800 building which houses most of the math classes. The 400 building to the south houses weight rooms and classrooms for miscellaneous subjects, such as art, music, band and computer graphics. The 500 buildings, which are seven portable rooms to the south of the 400 building and west of the gym, house mainly social science classrooms. Students traverse the campus through the space between buildings, known as "the quad." The student store, located in the 100 building, is the center of the school's activities. The school library and performing arts center are on the west side of the campus. In front of the library is the cafeteria.

Currently under construction is a new gym and pool facility to south of the 500 portables.[9] The gym and pool have a scheduled opening of Spring of 2021.[10]

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.

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.[11]

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
AP English Literature
AP English Language and Composition
Math
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
Sciences
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A
AP Psychology
AP Physics 1
AP Physics C
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
World Languages
AP Spanish Language
AP Spanish Literature
Social Sciences
AP World History
AP US History
AP Economics (Macro)
AP Civics
AP Human Geography
Arts
AP Music Theory

Athletics

La Quinta High School consists the following sports.

Current sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross Country
  • Dance
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Former sports
  • Badminton
  • Golf
  • Wrestling

Music Department

La Quinta High School has an award winning marching band, known as the La Quinta High School Marching Aztecs. Their most recent show is titled "Where the Clouds Dance" (2017), and past shows include "Tribal Affect" (2016), "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 band competes in Class 3A of the WBA (Western Band Association) circuit as of 2017 and placed 4th overall in the 2017 WBA Grand Championships for classes 1A, 2A, and 3A. They have previously competed in Class 5A of the SCJA (Southern California Judging Association) circuit and 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.

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.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Principal's Message". McGarvin Intermediate School. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  2. "La Quinta High School". thereallqhs. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  3. "Principal's Welcome Message – About LQHS – La Quinta High School". www.laquintahs.org. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  4. "La Quinta High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  5. Knife Attack Is Blamed on Racial Tensions
  6. "Youth Stabbed in High School Brawl." Los Angeles Times. October 22, 1991. Retrieved on December 16, 2010.
  7. 106 Screened at School Test Positive for TB
  8. 100 turn out to support La Quinta teacher
  9. "La Quinta High School Campus". Westgroup Designs. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  10. Staff, OC Tribune (2019-06-28). "Pacifica, LQ getting new gyms, theaters". ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  11. "2010‐2011 School Accountability Report Card" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  12. "La Quinta's Crosby Selects Long Beach". Los Angeles Times. April 20, 1998. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  13. Sondheimer, Eric (March 12, 2004). "Family Ties Inspire Laird at La Quinta". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  14. Terry, Mike (September 23, 1997). "The Class of '98 : Catcher Gerald Laird Has the Tools for Success". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  15. Tennis, Mike (October 19, 2011). "World Series Alumni: Cardinals catcher comes from record-breaking past". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  16. Sondheimer, Eric (April 2, 2002). "Two Ians Get the Job Done at La Quinta". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  17. Crasnick, Jerry (August 18, 2011). "D-backs have a keeper in Ian Kennedy". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  18. DiGiovanna, Mike (January 22, 2014). "Ian Stewart signs minor league deal with Angels". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  19. Rufner, Jason S. (August 27, 2014). "Christian Ramírez: Persevering And Performing". North American Soccer League. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
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