Lathrop High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Lathorp High School
picture =
principal = Karen Gaborik
established =
type = Public secondary
grades = 9–12
city = Fairbanks
state = Alaska
country = USA
enrollment = 1,181
faculty =
campus =
newspaper = "The Paystreak"
yearbook = "Cache"
mascot = Malemutes
colors = purple & gold
website = [http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/lth/index.html Lathrop High School website]

Lathrop High School is a public high school in Fairbanks in the U.S. State of Alaska, part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. It is named for early Alaska businessman Austin E. "Cap" Lathrop. Lathrop is the largest high school in Fairbanks. The current superintendent is Nancy Wagner.

As of 2008, there are currently 1,181 students in the school. Many of the students at Lathrop are from families with some attachment to Ft. Wainwright Army Post, and thus the rate of student mobility is rather high.

History

Lathrop High School was originally named Fairbanks High School which was discontinued in October 1955. Lathrop still awards an "F" to its letterman (as opposed to an "L" for Lathrop) to represent its roots as the original "Fairbanks High School."

The 1975-1976 school year at Lathrop was also double shifted with one shift of students attending school from 6 a.m. to noon and the other shift attending from noon to 6 p.m. The next year West Valley High School was opened thus alleviating the overcrowding dilemma.

Academics

In addition to the general curriculum studied at many high schools throughout the United States, the school has a department devoted to the study of Native Alaskans.

AP classes are offered in Biology, US History, Microeconomics, European History, Calculus (AB & BC), Statistics, (English) Composition, and (English) Literature.

The World Languages department offers Japanese in addition to Spanish, French, and German.

Athletics

In addition to many sports sponsored by high schools throughout the United States, Lathrop sponsors a cross country skiing team. In addition to cross country and track and field, the school sponsors snowshoe running in the winter. The rifle team has won many national awards.

Activities

Among the more unique activities at the school are a ballroom dance club and team. There is also a substantial JROTC program.

External links

* [http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/lth/index.html Lathrop High School website]