NPHS has new principa
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

The new principal at Newbury Park High School has a lot of ideas, but Athol Wong's No. 1 priority is preserving the high standards already in place.

Wong was an assistant principal at NPHS under Max Beaman, who vacated his position after being named director of secondary education for the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

"First and foremost, I'd like to maintain a level of excellence that my predecessor, Mr. Beaman, made so much a part of everyday life," Wong said. "That's a huge task in itself. He did a wonderful job, and I'd certainly hope to measure up to those standards."

Newbury Park High School has experienced major growth, gaining more than 150 students this year alone. Wong said they expect about 75 to 100 more students next year, which will bring the school's population to about 2,400.

"We are growing in terms of student population, and that's placing demands on the campus and, in some cases, staff," Wong said. "But it also gives us an opportunity for growth in certain programs."

Wong said school-to-career programs are expanding, adding an actual restaurant on campus for students in a capstone culinary arts course. Wong is also interested in starting a robotics club, which could develop into a type of pre-engineering academy.

In addition, Wong said, administrators have attended workshops and teaching sessions on developing smaller learning communities or academies, similar to a school-within-a-school model.

"We have a staff that takes pride in a high level of personal service to students and families," Wong said. "This is why we need to look at smaller communities . . . I don't want to it to become an impersonal place. There is a very important family feeling here that needs to be preserved."

Wong came to Newbury Park High School in July 2004 after serving as an assistant principal at Thousand Oaks High School for four years. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Cal State Fresno and a master's degree in educational leadership from Pepperdine University.