Mt. Tallac — more than a high school

Publisher’s Note: Lake Tahoe News will be publishing articles from Mt. Tallac High School students through Oct. 21. The South Lake Tahoe school is having an open house Oct. 21 from 9am-noon. But first, a few words from the woman who runs the show.

Susan Baker

By Susan Baker

Mt. Tallac High School, in the words of one student, “Is as misunderstood as the students who attend there.”

Mt Tallac High School is an alternative approach to education and a high school diploma.

Situated below South Tahoe High School, it is a school of second chances for those who for whatever reason have not been successful in a traditional school model. Many of our students work fulltime while going to school, some are pregnant or parenting while attending school, and some just desire a less traditional approach to education.

Our philosophy is based on the model that all students are capable of success and those successes are built one at a time.

This year we have started a Tallac Leadership Team in which every student is invited to participate. We have student ambassadors who are committed to making Tallac the best school in the district.

This year Tallac has a student who was a homecoming princess, a student who is co-editor of the yearbook and one who is the goalie for the varsity soccer team.

The students have chosen the school color to be purple because that color blends all other colors together. Our mascot is a Phoenix, which symbolizes rebirth and rising up from the ashes.

Our individual approach to education has fostered an environment where all students, regardless of their path, are able to be successful. I am the luckiest person in our district to be able to work with these incredibly unique students everyday.

Susan Baker is the leader of Mt. Tallac High School in South Lake Tahoe.