Twelve seniors out of 783 were denied diplomas because of their failure to pass a battery of state-mandated basic skills tests. They are the first to be denied diplomas under the Pupil Proficiency Law of 1976. Arcadia's test requires ninth grade level competency.
All Arcadia High School students have now been granted permission to participate in voluntary drug urinalysis testing, an option previously open only to athletes and student body officers.
The Arcadia High School Apache Marching Band won the Sweepstakes Award at the annual state championship All-Western Band Review for the third consecutive year which earns them the perpetual trophy. This makes the third time they have won the perpetual trophy which goes to a school that has won the Sweepstakes Award three times in a row. This is a "first" in the All-Western Band Review.
The Board of Education reviewed results of the California Assessment Test. Arcadia students in grades 3, 6 and 12 scored well above the statewide average of 50.
Mary Harvey was presented with a Certificate of Honor by the Board of Education for her volunteer work in the English as a second language program at First Avenue. An Arcadia resident since her childhood, Harvey attended First Avenue, taught there and had two of her three children graduate from there.
To save Arcadia High School $41,500 a year on energy costs, the Board of Education has selected the firm Pacific Energen, Inc. to design a joint electricity-generating & hot water-producing system for the school.
An engineering firm has been hired to consult for the Arcadia Unified School District in planning and construction of an all-weather track at Arcadia High School.
About 800 Arcadia High School students walked out of classes and gathered on the library lawn to demonstrate support for their teachers and to protest the cancellation of the senior assembly, an annual high school tradition.
The Arcadia Board of Education approved an agreement with the city for the installation of an all-weather track at Arcadia High School. Total cost of the project is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $175,000.
Beginning October 1, Arcadia High School athletes and student government officers will have the opportunity to participate in a "strictly voluntary" urinalysis drug testing program.
Arcadia High School had a ceremony unveiling a new semi-truck & tailer which has been purchased by the Arcadia Unified School District to carry the instruments of the Arcadia High Marching Band.
The Arcadia Apache Marching Band created a new record in competition in the All Western Band Review. They scored the highest points in the parade for the fourth consecutive year establishing themselves as the state champion band.
Arcadia Board of Education members appeared somewhat disappointed at the disclosure that only 40% of those high school students eligible to take the voluntary anti-drug urinalysis tests are participating in the program.
Test results for Arcadia High School seniors showed a small drop in reading scores and a slight gain in math scores for this year's California Assessment Program.