Welcome to Ephrata High School! As Principal of Ephrata High School, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our school. I came to Ephrata the summer of 2006 through a circuitous route. My 16 years in West Africa as an MK (missionary kid) provided me with a deep love for the world and its many wonders. I completed my undergraduate work at Thiel College, Greenville, PA and received my Masters in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut. I added my initial administrative certification from the University of Oregon. My teaching experience includes three years of teaching French in Ohio and three years of French and social studies in Montana. After moving to Oregon (my husband worked for the US Forest Service), I spent two years as director of a Pre-School, one year teaching Kindergarten, seven years in Gifted Education (grades K-6) and five years as a district’s K-12 Differentiation Specialist. I then became principal at Philomath High School in Philomath, Oregon for five years. With our two children having headed out on their own careers, we returned to the east coast where I was principal at Radnor High School, Radnor, PA for three years prior to coming to Ephrata. My travels and experiences in various parts of the country continually remind me that high quality goals and excellent learning can be attained through a wide variety of methods and techniques.
Ephrata High School is a large school with a small school feel to it. At 1,275 students, it includes grades 9 through 12 and is complimented by a teaching, administrative, and support staff of 115. In order to maintain this “small school” feel, teachers meet regularly as departments and cross-department groups to share ideas and suggestions as to how better serve their students. After school student time is provided for small group and one-on-one instruction. Special services are provided to students with learning needs as well as to those who accelerate in their learning. Dual enrollment opportunities exist for 12th grade students to take college courses while they complete their high school requirements. Two college courses – Economics and Environmental Science – take place on the EHS campus, taught by two EHS teachers. The school’s mission statement, “Achieving Success One Student at a Time,” provides direction and focus for the faculty and staff to provide a quality education that meets the needs of all students.
Ephrata High School’s approach to learning provides a breadth of courses from the arts and humanities to the sciences and modern technologies. More than 20 after school activities/clubs engage students in activities such as academic clubs (i.e. National Honor Society), chess, dramatics, instrumental and choral groups, skiing, and yearbook.
The athletics program at Ephrata High School is strong and attracts approximately 50% of the students into the 23 fall, winter and spring teams. The team coaches work closely with the high school program to ensure the development of strong academic, physical and sportsmanship skills in our students.
At Ephrata High School our ultimate goal is to help students prepare for and plan a pathway to develop their interests and strengths so they may be productive, life-long learners as they move beyond the high school walls. We delight in the energy and challenge of teenagers and look forward to serving their needs by providing them a quality education in an environment that is challenging, caring, and safe.