With class to 100 percent graduating and over 90 percent of its senior class going on to either higher education or the military, first year Wendover High School principal Clint Spindler is a very satisfied man.
“I know Wendover had a reputation,” Spindler said Wednesday. “This result disproves it.”
Spindler credited both an enticed teaching corps and staff, new programs and student core that was not only eager to learn but eager to keep learning as the secret to the school’s success.
“Everyone had a hand in it,” he said proudly.
However the new principal was reluctant to mention his own commitment.
A 28 year veteran of the Tooele School District Spindler devoted most of his life to WHS over the past nine months. He slept at the school going home only on weekends and returned every Monday for the 7:30 am faculty meeting.
He also instituted the Americorps Graduation Destination Program that proved wildly successful in keeping kids in school and then directing them to options after high School.
Last year for example 83 percent of Wendover students graduated fand just nine percent planned to continue their education. This year, 97 percent of the seniors are graduating and 94 percent of them have post-secondary plans in place.
Education hasn’t necessarily been a first priority, work has been. We’ve really tried to work with students in a way where they understand the importance of being college and career ready.” Spindler told KSL news.
Counselors conducted home visits with parents to prepare families for college. The school devoted a daily class to college preparation and application. And counselors spent 50 hours working individually with students.