Telluride High School
Principal’s Report
December 11, 2008

I. Student Count: 169 students

II. HS Accountability:

This year’s HS Accountability committee is very interesting and compelling. Our discussions have touched upon the topics of 21st Century Learning, School Rules and Policies, Grading and Reporting, the ISP program, and most recently, the male/female achievement gap, that is both a national and local issue we need to face. This group’s contributions to my administration have been invaluable.


III. Semester Exams

We are in the final weeks of the semester and our teachers and students are gearing up for their final semester exams. These very important assessments will be instrumental in helping our teachers gauge whether or not our students have reached mastery in the content of each classroom. We will have an abridged day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week. Wednesday is a Tutorial period for students who want to review with their teachers. Thursday and Friday will be the first SkiPe days. Students who have MNA (Mastery Not Achieved) in any of their classes may be assigned to a "credit recovery" program during the first two weeks after Winter Break. They will get support from some of the best teachers at THS to try to get the mastery they need to earn credit in these classes.

IV. ISP Program

The second ISP period is fast approaching. We are excited that in this second offering, the students had a much greater say in the development and expectations of the intensive. Our students were able to choose from among 3 “general” ISPs, which included: 1) Performing Arts; 2) Vocational/Engineering; and, 3) Winter Studies/Snow & Ice Science. Also, underclassmen were given the opportunity to challenge themselves and earn “Honors” credit in the Honors ISP. Finally, our students who have 2 or more AP classes are being offered 3 “mini” ISPs – in Strategic Games, Snowshoeing/”To Build A Fire”; and Self-Defense.

We are also pursuing grants from TEF and the Telluride Foundation to continue to be able to offer this amazing hands-on experiential education to our students. Keep you fingers crossed.

V. Winter Sports Season

The Miners Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams have begun their seasons, with our men taking part in a big early season tournament in Meeker Dec. 11-13. Our Competition Cheerleading squad had an amazing performance at states, but was eliminated from the finals for a technicality. This was certainly hugely disappointing to our girls, but they showed great class and dignity in their disappointment. The are the Regional Champs, and we couldn’t be more proud of these hardworking girls! Our competition skiers (racing, freestyle, and Nordic) are training for their individual sports. Finally, our Telluride Hockey clubs are on the ice now and are competing almost every weekend. I am so excited to see these kids start to play and compete for their clubs and teams. Go MINERS!

VI. Another Celebration for THS

Telluride High School has once again made US News and World Report's list of the top high schools in the United States. In the report released December 9, 2008, US News & World Report recognized only 29 high schools in Colorado (there are around 360 in the state). They determined that these special schools are doing the best job preparing students for college and life. Telluride was again among this elite group. Schools that are deemed to be among the top 100 schools in the nation are awarded the "Gold Medal", of which there were two in Colorado. Telluride High School was among eight schools in Colorado awarded a "Silver Medal" ranking. Our neighbor, Ridgeway Secondary, was awarded a "Bronze Medal." THS and Ridgeway were the only two schools on the West Slope to receive recognition. Congratulation to the entire THS Community!!!

Another Thing to Celebrate at THS!

Telluride High School has once again made US News and World Report's list of the top high schools in the United States (http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/colorado/telluride_high_school). In the report released today, US News & World Report recognized only 29 high schools in Colorado (there are around 360 in the state). They determined that these schools are doing the best job preparing students for college and life. Telluride was again among this elite group. Schools who are deemed to be among the top 100 schools in the nation are awarded the "Gold Medal." Telluride High School was among eight schools in Colorado awarded a "Silver Medal" ranking. Our neighbor, Ridgeway Secondary, was awarded a "Bronze Medal." We were the only two school on the West Slope to receive recognition. Congratulation to the entire THS Community!!!