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High Desert reports test-score gains, falling suspensions and rising enrollment
Summary
High Desert principal reported enrollment of 336 students, notable growth in math and ELA (65.9% and 71% of students improving a full level) and reduced suspension rates; students gave brief talks about school activities and achievements.
Principal Michelle Van Orno highlighted High Desert School’s academic and extracurricular gains as she presented to the district board. She told trustees the campus enrollment stood at 336 and that assessment data show meaningful year‑over‑year growth: 65.9% of students improved a full level in mathematics and 71% improved a full level in English language arts. Van Orno credited the counseling team’s tiered supports and cited a small uptick of two students in suspensions while noting an overall reduction in suspension rate as the counseling program matured.
Several students — including Lex Ramirez, Silas Hernandez and ASB vice president Maya Silva Forger — offered short remarks about classroom projects, field trips and athletics. Trustees praised staff and students, and the board discussed keeping counselors funded; Principal Van Orno said the campus is raising local funds to support counseling positions and asked the board to consider sustaining that investment.
"So this year, we have 336 students," Van Orno told trustees, and she later noted, "65.9% of our students improved a whole level" in math. The presentation is available on the district website, and trustees encouraged staff to make trustee‑area maps and livestream links easier to find for the public.
