Welcome to Washington Preparatory High School, which according to our records, serves as your school of residence and/or school of choice (magnet). My name is Dr. Gail Greer and I am the proud principal of the Washington Preparatory High School Generals! Because of safety and instructional concerns that you may have, I wish to be proactive in sharing the good news .... no, the GREAT news about Washington Prep.
Did you know that Washington Preparatory High School has the following initiatives?
· six new Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) with 350 students and 15 teachers, organized like a college campus with separate areas for instruction for the purpose of providing personalized support?
o three magnet schools specializing in Music, Math/Science and Communication Arts?
· a special block schedule of four classes for approximately 90 minutes a day, allowing students to earn credits for eight classes a year instead of six classes per year?
· an adult school and continuation school program (Duke Ellington) on site that allows individuals to make up credits and/or take classes leading to a GED and/or High School Diploma?
· a partnership with Maxine Waters Learning Center including transportation allowing students to make up credits?
· a faculty and counseling staff that are working diligently over the summer to offer improved instruction and support to students and families?
· one of the finest marching bands and jazz ensembles in the Los Angeles Unified School District receiving nationwide acclaim?
· a film studio on site allowing African-American and Latino students the opportunity to win the 2005/2006 "Nosotros" Latino Film Festival Award?
o a California State Department application for approval of a new multi-million dollar media academy?
· a new commitment to theatrical and musical excellence at Washington Prep. A former General, a recent Morehouse graduate is our new instructor?
o a recording studio with opportunities to learn the business of working in and for the music industry?
· a safe passage grant from the State of California allowing contracted individuals form the community to assist students with safe passage before school, after school and during lunch?

· a group of Safe School Ambassadors (60 students) who have received 12 hours of training in Human Relations and serve as individuals who deter negative and unsafe actions on campus?
· a peer mediation and conflict resolution class that offers options for students involved in gangs or seeking to stay away from gang involvement?
· support from our Board Supervisor, Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, in the writing of a Safe and Healthy Schools grant (2.5 million dollars for four years) designed to better support families and students with health, social services and law enforcement issuse at Washington Prep and its feeder middle and elementary schools?
· a strong and steadily improving athletics program that sponsors 18 team opportunities. Some of our recent wins have included a Track Team that went to city finals and the state, a Girls Varsity Basketball Team that went to city finals at the Sports Arena, a Softball team, Boys' Varsity Volleyball team, a Soccer Team that went to league playoffs and a J.V. football team that was 8 and 2. That J.Y. coach is now the new Head Varsity Coach.
· a meaningful ROTC program where leadership, discipline and teamwork are learned and where future involvement in the military is a choice and not a mandate?
· leadership opportunities for parents on our various parent councils: School Site Council, Title I and Bilingual and/or volunteer participation on Parent Patrols designed to support school safety.
o additionally purchased and trained on site security and safety aides/officers?
· an accreditation whereby colleges and universities accept grades from our site through June of 2008.
During our April, 2008 visit, the objective is to secure an even longer term of accreditation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, these are the GREAT things you never hear about Washington Preparatory High School. I share them with you today in acknowledging that indeed, Washington Prep is in the middle of gang territory, but we are working and negotiating neutral turf on and around our campus. Indeed, there have been safety issues that have shed a negative light on the school; however, as you can see, a definitive action plan is in place. Welcome to the Prep Nation! We are about providing students and families with access to the future. The decision is up to you, but please, don't be afraid to send your child to "The Prep." We are a work in progress and we have every reason to succeed. With your commitment and support we can and will do so?