About Us:
Lodi High School, serving grades 9-12, is one of four comprehensive high schools in a community of approximately 50,000 people. While the present site was built in 1958, Lodi High School began classes on September 8, 1896, and celebrated its centennial birthday during the 1996-97 school year. Lodi High School enjoys a strong relationship with the community. Staff includes one librarian, five counselors, 44 full or part time classified staff, and four administrators who serve the students. Lodi High has 96 credentialed teachers with no teachers working outside their subject area or credentialed area. The physical plant encompasses two gymnasiums, 59 permanent classrooms, one cafeteria, 30 portables, four computer labs, one theater complex, a college and career center, one administration center, one counseling center, and one metal, one wood and one automotive technology shop. At the present time, Lodi High School is on a modified traditional calendar. The school is situated in a residential area of the small city of Lodi, located in Northern California’s San Joaquin County. Lodi is a suburban community of over 50,000 in population. Its economy and employment data show an almost equal split between white and blue-collar occupations, with most establishments employing between 1 to 50 employees; few large employers exist in our area. A main General Mills plant is located in the community. The median household income in 1993 was $30,739 with a median family income of $35,795. Seventy percent plus of the population of the city is Caucasian with less than 20% Hispanic. Lodi High School draws students from the Lodi city suburban area and Lockeford-Clements-Woodbridge rural area. This makes for a student body from diverse home environments. Students are challenged by a strong academic curriculum with opportunities in the arts, agriculture, business and computer education, family and consumer education, industrial education, physical education and speech. A wide range of co-curricular experiences supplements the classroom program for students, including 11 (boy’s and girl’s) varsity sports and a variety of service and curriculum-related clubs. Lodi High School places a premium on maintaining a school environment that promotes student self-esteem and safety. Enrollment in January 2002 was 2295 students. In January of 2002 the ethnic composition was 69% White, 26% Hispanic, 2% East Indian, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander, Fijian, and 1% African American. Currently, we have over 2,500 students in this 2004-05 school year. We make every effort to ensure the English Language Learners succeed with a comprehensive ELD program and transition courses in academic areas. As of January 2002, 376 students were designated as English Language Learners. Twelve languages other than English were represented in our student body. The school offers an academic program that sends the majority (85%) of its students off to either junior college or a 4-year college. The test scores for the school are at or above the national averages. Lodi High School offers English Language Development (ELD) classes, a variety of special education classes, many advanced placement classes, as well as several remedial courses. We believe the course selection at Lodi High is diverse. We have maintained a Nationally Certified Senior Project program, housed in our English Department, to showcase the skills of our students.We have articulated programs with our local junior college, special cross-curricular courses that work with Lawrence Livermore Lab, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). We have developed Academic Academies in order to focus the learning environment on achievement and student support. Students feel safe at Lodi High School, both in regards to the atmosphere on campus and in the preparation they receive for future endeavors. Like many other schools in California, Lodi High has an increasing percentage of students who live in poverty. As of October 1999, 7.15% of our families were receiving public financial assistance to help them meet their basic needs and 21.62% qualified for free or reduced lunches. Lodi High School attempts to meet the needs of its diverse community through a variety of programs: academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular. Academic success is facilitated by programs such as AVID (Achievement Via Individual Development), Advanced Placement and Honors classes, several small academies, which are small learning communities, including STEPS, VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts, SEAL (Science and Engineering Academy of Lodi, Ag Academy, and other organizations, such as EAST and SUN.ROP classes provide real-world technical training in various fields. Positive school culture is reflected in the many school clubs ranging from Mecha Club and Modern Language Club, to Art Club and Drama Club. Our athletic and band/choir programs have expanded in size and success. Our speech team competes at the state and national level. We have community connections via guest speakers, Mock Trials, and field trips. Student achievement is measured in a variety of ways at Lodi High School. Our senior project activity provides a unique culminating activity for our students with both oral and written assessment. In 2002, 99% of students passed the written or paper component of senior project and 100% percent of students passed the oral board. The program reflects a 60% or more concentration on career-based projects, incorporating life-long learning. In 2005, Lodi High achieved the honor of becoming Nationally Certified in the Senior Project program. Lodi High School’s vision of technology has been greatly enhanced. All classrooms have both staff and student computers. We have a career/resources lab for student use, and an electronic library, as well as a recent grant approved for two new mobile computer labs. Our vision as a Digital High School has taken hold, though there are many areas for improvement before we can say we are truly a digital high school. We are on our way, with support from our district resources. In 2005, we received word of our full 6-year accreditation, with a three-year review. Our staff is diligently working towards meeting our self-assigned goals, which include improved communications and improving success rate for under-performing students.
