Principal Raupp’s view: truly a comprehensive high school

“We need to continue to find ways to provide educational opportunities that really engage kids.“ --Steve Raupp

YHS Principal Steve Raupp listens as state Superintendent of Schools Delaine Eastin presents him with the Distinguished School award last May.

A California Distinguished School award, a six-year accreditation, one of 10 schools in California to receive an EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) grant, a strong International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement classes — these are some of the things Yosemite High School Principal Steve Raupp points to as he recalls his three years in that position.

These things, and the many other positive achievements at the high school, can be attributed to three things, Mr. Raupp believes: The accomplishments of the students, the dedication of the staff and everyone focusing on a common goal.

He is proud that YHS is a truly comprehensive high school, offering programs and options for all students. In addition to an academic program that meets the needs of students at every level, YHS offers many extra curricular activities that appeal to a wide range of interests.

The school offers an extensive fine arts program, a wide range of athletic opportunities, one of the best technology programs in the valley, career-oriented classes, accelerated programs such as IB and AP, resource classes and tutoring programs, the principal notes.

Tops, again and again

The school’s Academic Decathlon team has won the county championship for more than a decade and the past two years was the state champion in its division. The Mock Trial team has won the county contest for more than a dozen years and competes annually at the state level.

The drama students consistently bring home state honors and the choral groups earn “superior” ratings at festivals. Students in Future Business Leaders of America, Future Homemakers of America and Future Farmers of America are active at the regional and state level.

Service clubs on the campus, such as Interact and Key Club, work hard to assist with projects at the school and community level.

The school’s newspaper and yearbook are both recipients of All-Valley awards. The multi-media/videography classes have received statewide recognition for the work the students have done for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Our pride is showing!

“We are proud of all of these students and their achievements,” Mr. Raupp says. “Through these projects, they are learning real-life skills that will help them wherever they go.”

As one of 10 schools in California to have received the EAST grant last year, YHS students have an opportunity to perform service-learning projects using state-of-the-art technology.

That class and the other technology programs at the school offer students real-life connections, Mr. Raupp says.

Through the school’s extensive vocational program which includes Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes, students are learning skills that will enable them to find employment while they are still in high school and after they graduate.

YHS received a grant last year that has allowed the addition of four Advanced Placement classes this year: European History, physics, studio art and calculus. These classes are offered in addition to the full diploma International Baccalaureate classes and a series of Honors classes.

Mr. Raupp is proud of the school’s test scores, although he says there is always room for improvement. Approximately 62% of last year’s freshmen passed the High School Exit Exam. YHS students have among the highest scores in the valley on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and the state standardized tests.

He notes that YHS is a safe campus with a “positive learning environment where all students feel valued and nurtured.”

Several steps have been taken under Mr. Raupp’s leadership to ensure the safety of students. Campus supervisors have been added to the staff, a peer mediation program is in place to help students resolve problems in a positive way, the campus has been fenced and has been closed at lunchtime to all students but seniors.

The passage of a bond measure in 1998 allowed the school to build a cafeteria large enough to feed all of the students, thus the campus could be closed.

Mr. Raupp is proud of his staff, saying they “truly care about kids and go the extra mile.”

He has worked to create an environment where people enjoy coming to work and he points with pride to the number of YHS graduates who have returned to the school as employees.

He is also proud that there are many long-time employees, some of whom have been at the school since it opened 25 years ago.

He believes his most significant achievement as principal has been getting a group of people to share a vision and to work together toward a common goal. That vision and the goal are to provide the best educational opportunities possible to all students in a positive environment.

Football, business first

Mr. Raupp came to the school in 1978 as a football coach and business teacher. He later became the athletic director and assistant principal. He was promoted to the school’s top post when Bob LaBelle left three years ago to return to Southern California.

The principal holds a state position in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the organization that oversees high school athletics.

As he looks into the future, Mr. Raupp would like for YHS to continue to see growth in student achievement, to continue doing all of the good things now being done, to continue to provide opportunities for students to meet their objectives, to see test scores go up and more students go to college.

He hopes to see a continuation of student success in extra-curricular activities, and he wants all of the students to pass the High School Exit Exam.

“I want the school to meet the needs of all of our students,” he says. “We need to continue to find ways to provide educational opportunities that really engage kids.”

To that end, he looks forward to the challenges of leading the YHS staff into the future in an environment where the needs of students continues to be the No. 1 priority.