Construction of John McCandless High School began in 1986.  The suggestion to name the new school after former principal and Associate Superintendent John McCandless came from Trustee Melodie Blowers and was approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees in June of 1986.  John McCandless served the district with distinction for 33 years as principal of several schools including Lincoln Elementary, Colonial Heights, and Lincoln High School.  He also served as District Director of Curriculum and Certificated Personnel, and Associate Superintendent of Personnel Services.

John McCandless High School was dedicated on February 25, 1987.   In the fall of 1992, the building was closed due to budget cuts.  It was reopened two years later to house several programs for students K-12 including the Dimensions Program, the Communication Academy, and a community school for expelled students in grades K-8.

As the District grew, the need for alternative programs continued to grow and change.  The John McCandless Center housed the District”s Child Welfare and Attendance Offices as well as four alternative education classrooms serving students in grades 9-12.  The school underwent a complete remodel in the summer of 2007, at which time the CWA offices moved across the parking lot to the District Office and classrooms were added to the campus..  The McCandless Center currently houses four classrooms for students in grades 10-12, and two classrooms for 9th grade students. 

Back To School Night
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011
6:30 p.m.

Please come to Back To School Night to meet your student's teachers!