About Us Home

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LAPS Vision Statement We prepare confident, life-long learners.     LAPS Mission Statement We work collaboratively to teach our students to become resourceful adults who are able to achieve their personal best in an ever-changing world.     Core Values These are the values that will guide all LAPS employees toward meeting our mission:   Respect for differences Innovation for Continuous Improvement Professional Learning Responsibility for Student Learning Sustainable Systems Visionary Leadership Life Long Learning Data Driven Decisions Ethical Practice Fidelity to Instruction

{About Us Image}   Contact Information: 2075 Trinity Drive Los Alamos, NM 87544   Phone: (505) 663-2222 Info Line:  (505) 663-2223 Fax:  (505) 663-3247

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Our Facilities

The Los Alamos Public Schools system consists of seven schools with a total enrollment of approximately 3,536 students for the 2003-2004 school year. Two of the elementary schools are located in White Rock and the remaining 5 schools are located in Los Alamos.

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Our Staff

• Pupil to Teacher Ratio in Los Alamos Schools

  Elementary (grades 1-3)	23 to 1
  Elementary (grades 4-6)	24 to 1
  Middle School	16 to 1
  High School	17 to 1

• Instructional or clerical assistant time is provided for all teacher teams and other special programs.
• Staff at Los Alamos Public Schools is recruited nationally.
• A large percentage of our licensed staff have advanced degrees or graduate credit: 2% have doctorates, 54% have master's degrees, 28% have undergraduate degrees + creditable coursework, and 16% have bachelor degrees only.
• The average teacher has 15 years of teaching experience.

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Academics

A strong academic preparation is provided for all students K-12 based on the individual student's needs, abilities and interests. Each year our students score well above the national and state averages on standardized achievement tests, including National Merit competition. Our graduating seniors qualify for many academic scholarships at major universities throughout the United States. Our academic strength is also shown in the number of advanced level courses offered in English, math, science, history and foreign language.

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Program Highlights

• Kindergarten programs and YMCA after-school childcare are a part of each elementary school.
• Professional librarians staff libraries in all schools.
• Band and string instrumental music classes are offered to upper elementary school students: general music classes are provided to all elementary students.
• Licensed specialists teach physical education, art and music at all school sites.
• French, Spanish, German, and Latin are offered at the secondary level. Elementary foreign language classes are offered after school for a modest fee, as is the Fine Arts Academy (art, music, and theater).
• Over 100 courses are available at the high school.
• Students may choose from four vocational programs:
  • Cooperative Office Education
  • Building Trades
  • Marketing
  • Work Experience
• The high school has 39 athletic teams in 19 different sports and the middle school has 10 teams in 7 different sports.
• Technical education programs at the high school include auto mechanics, engineering and architectural drafting, computer aided drafting and electronics.
• In every elementary grade, the teachers involve the students with computers through the use of instructional software. Students at the middle school take computer instruction with an emphasis on intensive instruction in keyboarding and word processing. There is heavy use of the Internet for research, and students can receive e-mail accounts. At the high school, the computer education department offers electives in programming language and other computer applications. The business education department's major computer thrust is the teaching of keyboarding and word processing, database and spreadsheet application in the business environment. The technology education department uses computers for drafting, simple robotics and computer aided manufacturing.

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Student Services

Certified diagnosticians provide educational diagnosis for students with special learning and/or behavioral needs. Special classes are available for students who are gifted or who have learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, mental or physical handicaps and multiple disabilities and for students with visual and hearing impairments and speech/language impairment.

Additional support services for special education students who need them include physical, occupational, speech, and psychological therapies; mobility, audiology and interpreter services.

Full-time counseling services are available at all levels.

Full-time licensed school nurses are available at each building to assist students and parents with special health problems, health screening and consultations. School social work services are available at each site, and English as a Second Language (ESL) services are concentrated at the middle school, high school, and two elementary schools, with support offered at the other three elementary sites.

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Other Information

• Unaudited Revenue & Expendiure Analysis of Operational Fund
• Twenty-four credits for grades 9-12 are required for graduation.
• Nearly 85% of Los Alamos High School graduates go to college.
• Juniors and seniors with a 3.0 grade point average may enroll concurrently for college credit courses at the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos. These courses also count toward high school graduation.
• The School of Choice at the high school is an alternative program in which at-risk students work at their own pace, work cooperatively, and regularly participate in group discussion.
• Bus transportation is available for all in-district elementary students living further than a mile from the school, for middle school students living further than a mile and a half away, and for high school students living more than two miles away. Also, activity buses are available for after school activities.
• There are performing groups for choral and instrumental music in all schools.
• An average of 200 students attend summer school, which offers classes for credit, remedial needs and special interests.
• Students residing outside Los Alamos County may request enrollment in the Los Alamos Public Schools by completing an out-of-district enrollment request form obtained from the school district's central office. Approval is based upon first come, space available basis. Applications are accepted December 15 for consideration for the following school year.

Questions: Call Cathy at (505) 663-2230 or c.mcanally@laschools.net.