PREUSSline FALL 2011

The Preuss School UCSD Is Named the No. 1 Transformative High School in the Nation by Newsweek

The Preuss School UCSD has been named “Preuss graduates are remarkable young the top transformative school in the people who rise above countless obstacles country in the annual Newsweek magazine to become the first generation in their fami- “America’s Best High Schools” list. Called lies who will receive a college education,” a “Miracle School,” Preuss was lauded for said Principal Scott Barton. “Our students producing high-achieving graduates despite participate in a rigorous, single-track col- limited resources. Preuss is ranked at the lege preparatory curriculum, as well as a top of all San Diego County high schools, wealth of extracurricular activities, and can third in and 34th in the nation. take advantage of an array of academic The magazine incorporated six compo- supports from tutoring to mentoring and nents—including graduation rate, college counseling.” matriculation rate and AP tests taken—to Proud Preuss grad: Gery Alexander smiles at family and determine placement on the list. Ninety-five percent of the members of the friends after receiving his diploma. class of 2011 were accepted to four-year The Preuss School’s unique approach to colleges or universities, and all 97 seniors education, including longer school days in the class will attend either college or The Class of 2011 and a longer school year, recently caught community college. Eighty-one percent the attention of The New York Times as were accepted to at least one UC campus, Looks Forward to a well. While there is virtually no argument and six seniors will attend UC San Diego. among educators that American students Preuss will be represented at all nine of Bright Future need more instruction time, state and local the undergraduate UC campuses by 30 budget cuts continue to plague our edu- seniors. Other top universities such as They arrived daily at The Preuss School cational systems. Preuss was recognized Harvard, Georgetown, Duke and Johns Hop- for the past seven years from 41 differ- by the newspaper for “bucking the kins are also among the choices for this ent zip codes in San Diego County. Their national trend” of program and year’s Preuss grads. backgrounds and their neighborhoods are class time cuts. as varied as the languages spoken in their homes. Many traveled hours on trolleys and buses to make the trip to school. Their achievements inside and outside of their classrooms helped Preuss earn numerous distinctions, including 2010 Na- tional Blue Ribbon School and 2011 No. 1 transformative high school in the country. And on June 30, all 97 seniors received their high school diplomas, all on their way to a higher education. Congratulations to The Preuss School UCSD class of 2011! 2 PREUSSline

Benefit Opens up a World of Possibilities

“A World of Possibilities” was the theme of this year’s benefit celebration for The Preuss School, and record-breaking net proceeds of $375,000 will open the door to that world a little wider for Preuss students. BULLETIN BOARD The event showcased exhibits from a variety of Preuss programs, including a working robot that has competed successfully in national tourna- Our First Day of ments, and entertainment was provided by Classes Welcome chamber-music students and the Preuss theatre Celebration kicked off department. Preuss graduates Marco Murillo ’04 the school year Monday, and Jackie Nguyen ’06 served as keynote speak- August 22. Faculty, staff, ers who inspired the audience with the message board members and that hard work and perseverance pay off. friends joined Principal Scott Barton and Preuss student leaders to hear about recent accolades Gates Millennium before welcoming new Scholars Named and returning students to Patricia Weil, a member of The Preuss School board of campus. directors, welcomes a student. Four Preuss seniors have won scholarships from the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholars Pro- Preuss ecology club students discussed conservation and gram, a national competition that annually awards ecology with a sister school in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, this past school year. “good-through-graduation” scholarships to 1,000 The students communicated via Skype and Facebook to share recycling talented students nationwide for use at any col- tips and composting methods. The program, which was created under an lege or university of their choice from undergradu- amendment to an existing sister city agreement, was funded by the U.S. ate through graduate school. This year’s winners State Department. are Erick Hernandez (Duke University), Miriam Million (Johns Hopkins University), Karina Santel- We are happy to report that our Academic Performance Index lano (Duke University) and Alexander Tesfamicael (API) score has risen from 886 to 899, making us the third (Harvard University). ranked high school in San Diego County. The students were judged on their academic achievement, community service and leadership Mark your calendars! The next Preuss School benefit celebration potential. Over the past five years, 21 Preuss will take place Saturday, April 12, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency School seniors have won scholarships through at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the program. Maryann Lapthorn at (858) 534-1404.

Preuss theatre students perform during the 2011 benefit.

Stay Connected! If you would like to receive email communications, including important announcements, videos and more from The Preuss (From left to right) Miriam Million, Alexander Tesfamicael, School, please send your email address to [email protected]. Erick Hernandez and Karina Santellano FALL 2011 3

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

The Preuss School UCSD has just com- 95 percent being admitted to a four-year contact me if you would like to learn how pleted its 12th year and we are proud to college. Eighty-one percent of our graduates you can become more involved with our report that the accolades continue to ac- were accepted to a school. cumulate. In 2010–11, Preuss was named school, and 31 percent will attend a UC the top transfor- school. Our graduates were also awarded I would like to recognize the work of our mative high school $2.1 million in scholarships and grants for exemplary faculty, staff, parents, mentors, in the nation by their first year in college. Four students won tutors and community members who are Newsweek and scholarships from the prestigious Gates so dedicated to the mission of our school. ranked one of Millenium Scholars Program (we’ve had 21 Collaborating with all stakeholders has been the top schools winners over the last five years) and three one of the keys to our success. in the country for were QuestBridge Scholars. the fifth year in a In closing, I would like to send out a special row. We were also During the school year, many students par- thank you to all of our donors and friends named a National ticipated in enrichment programs, and this who continue to support our students and Blue Ribbon summer more than 100 students participat- our school through scholarships, grants School and recognized as a California Dis- ed in enrichment and internship programs and gifts. tinguished School. Our API of 899 continues with UC San Diego and our community to be one of the top scores in San Diego partners. These students worked with engi- Best regards, County. Sixty-eight percent of our students neers, doctors, scientists, professors and who took Advanced Placement Exams teachers from UC San Diego, UC San Diego received a score of 3 or higher on these , Sanford-Burnham exams, which compares favorably to the Medical Research Institute and many other Scott Barton California and global averages. The 2011 local organizations. We are always looking Principal graduating class has also achieved some for more opportunities for our students to outstanding accomplishments, including gain experience in the workplace. Please

SPOTLIGHT Lisa Hawk—Teacher/Athletic Director

Lisa Hawk wears many hats at The Preuss by Maxwell Maltz,” she said. “This was School UCSD as teacher, coach and admin- one of the first books to define the mind/ istrator. Her overall goal is to make sure body experience. In essence, how we view that by the time Preuss seniors graduate ourselves correlates to how successful we and go on to college, they have the skills will be.” and confidence to make healthy, productive choices in the classroom and in their lives. Hawk came to Preuss in 2003 after teach- ing for five years at the R. Roger Rowe “The cornerstone of my teaching philosophy School in Rancho Santa Fe. She was is that the mind and body are integrally inspired by Preuss’ mission to reach un- connected,” said Hawk, who chairs the Ex- derserved and motivated secondary school ercise and Health Science Department and students in San Diego. “Since a good self- also serves as Preuss’ athletic director. image is crucial to positive achievement, I “Exercise and eating right lead to mental show our students how to balance all the and emotional well-being, as well as to a components in their lives, so that when readiness to learn,” she said. family problems or social conflicts present

themselves, they can make good and wise Lisa Hawk Hawk has a master’s degree from the decisions,” she said. University of Maryland, where she began likely to be successful college students. her career as a swim coach and the as- Hawk believes strongly that middle and “For that reason, I would love to see the sistant to the athletic director. “My thesis high school students who practice healthy universities include a health component as was based on the book Psycho-Cybernetics physical and emotional habits are more part of the A-G requirements,” she said. 4 PREUSSline

FOCUS ON The Preuss School Robotics

Like so many things at Preuss, the competition. But with hard work and the “Our team has won awards for both our school’s robotics program began with a generous support of our partners, Preuss outreach and our robot performance,” says dream: To build a working robot that could succeeded.” Rupert. “We’re all very proud of what we compete in FIRST (For Inspiration and Rec- have accomplished and excited about what ognition of Science and Technology) robot- Fast forward 10 years and the Preuss is yet to come.” ics, a national league with a mission to team, better known as the Midnight inspire students to pursue education and Mechanics, has continued applying that For more information on the team, visit careers in math, science and technology can-do spirit and enthusiasm to the www.midnightmechanics.org. For informa- while promoting gracious professionalism. competition every year. They were the tion on becoming a mentor or competition first FIRST team in San Diego County, but judge, contact Daniel Rupert at drupert@ “There were just five students on that first their tireless enthusiasm and community ucsd.edu. team,” says Daniel Rupert, who became outreach efforts have led to the creation Dan Rupert (left) with Midnight Mechanics team mentor, the Preuss robotics coach seven years of more than 20 FIRST robotics teams in Scott Briscoe, and team president, Linda Lam, at the ago. “They struggled to build a robot the county. For more information, visit 2011 First Robotics Competition, San Diego Regional that could withstand the rigors of the www.midnightmechanics.org.

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