Forest Grove High School
Encyclopedia
Forest Grove High School is a public high school in Forest Grove, Oregon
, United States
. It is the only high school in the Forest Grove School District
.
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 20.4.
and test scores below the state average in the early 2000s. Forest Grove High then hired a new principal, John O'Neil, to address these issues in 2002. The principal introduced the mandatory Reading and Math Workshops for students below the state average to raise their performance. This and other changes helped to reduce the dropout rate and improve test scores at the school. For these improvements, in 2006 the school was presented the Closing the Achievement Gap award from the State of Oregon. The following year, the 2,000-student school became the first high school to win the award two years in a row. During this time graduation rates improved from around 66% to 85%. The school has been awarded the Bronze Medal by US News and World Reports rankings of America's Best High Schools.
In 2008, 73% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma
. Of 444 students, 325 graduated, 51 dropped out, 19 received a modified diploma
, and 49 are still in high school.
In 2009, The Oregonian
described the school as an "overachiever" at teaching reading and math, due to its achievement scores.
in late May. The house is then put up for sale at market price, with the proceeds then used for furthering the program with purchases of new tools and the materials for the next house. This program is one of few focused on house construction in Portland-area schools, in addition to Canby High School
and Benson Polytechnic High School
. The program adopted "learn by doing" as their motto. Through 2011, the program had built 35 homes.
The school also operates a firefighting cadet program that began in 2001. The program allows juniors and seniors to learn firefighting techniques that are usually taught at the community college level to prepare students for careers in firefighting. Forest Grove’s fire department and the school partner in the program with the fire department providing instructors.
Forest Grove, Oregon
Forest Grove is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States, west of Portland. Originally a small farm town, it is now primarily a bedroom suburb of Portland. Settled in the 1840s, the town was platted in 1850 and then incorporated in 1872 and was the first city in Washington County...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the only high school in the Forest Grove School District
Forest Grove School District
Forest Grove School District is a public school district in Washington County, Oregon, United States. It serves the communities of Cornelius, Dilley, Forest Grove and Gales Creek. Yvonne Curtis is the superintendent of the district...
.
Students
As of the 2008-09 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,922 students and 94.2 classroom teachers (on an FTEFull-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 20.4.
Academics
The school had the highest rate for drop outs in Washington CountyWashington County, Oregon
- Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:...
and test scores below the state average in the early 2000s. Forest Grove High then hired a new principal, John O'Neil, to address these issues in 2002. The principal introduced the mandatory Reading and Math Workshops for students below the state average to raise their performance. This and other changes helped to reduce the dropout rate and improve test scores at the school. For these improvements, in 2006 the school was presented the Closing the Achievement Gap award from the State of Oregon. The following year, the 2,000-student school became the first high school to win the award two years in a row. During this time graduation rates improved from around 66% to 85%. The school has been awarded the Bronze Medal by US News and World Reports rankings of America's Best High Schools.
In 2008, 73% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma
High school diploma
A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and higher education. An equivalent is the GED.-Past diploma styles:...
. Of 444 students, 325 graduated, 51 dropped out, 19 received a modified diploma
Oregon modified high school diploma
The Oregon modified high school diploma, also known as the OAR 581-022-1134 Modified Diploma, is a document that is given to students who need special consideration throughout their time in high school...
, and 49 are still in high school.
In 2009, The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
described the school as an "overachiever" at teaching reading and math, due to its achievement scores.
Notable programs
In 1976, Birt Hansen started the Viking House Program. Each year the students build a single-family home in the community. They begin building in early September and finish construction with an open houseOpen House
Open House may refer to:*Open house , a common school event held in the United States and Canada*Open House , a 1960 album by jazz organist Jimmy Smith*Open House , a 2004 independent film...
in late May. The house is then put up for sale at market price, with the proceeds then used for furthering the program with purchases of new tools and the materials for the next house. This program is one of few focused on house construction in Portland-area schools, in addition to Canby High School
Canby High School
-Academics:In 2008, 86% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 395 students, 338 graduated, 37 dropped out, 1 received a modified diploma, and 19 are still in high school.-Homebuilding program:...
and Benson Polytechnic High School
Benson Polytechnic High School
Benson Polytechnic High School is a technical public high school in the Portland Public Schools district. Its campus is located in the center of Portland's Eastside commercial area. Students are given a special emphasis in a technical area...
. The program adopted "learn by doing" as their motto. Through 2011, the program had built 35 homes.
The school also operates a firefighting cadet program that began in 2001. The program allows juniors and seniors to learn firefighting techniques that are usually taught at the community college level to prepare students for careers in firefighting. Forest Grove’s fire department and the school partner in the program with the fire department providing instructors.