Dear La Salle College Preparatory Community,

Welcome back to a new, exciting school year filled with hope and fulfillment! As a part of our Five-Year Strategic Plan, this summer, we made incredible facility upgrades and enhancements, including the state-of-the-art Blakeslee Center for Discovery and Design and our newly renovated Counseling Center. We also relocated our Chapel to the center of our campus building. These enhancements inspire our students to achieve greatness and our faculty and staff to feed their spiritual souls.

The future of innovative learning is La Salle College Preparatory!
We proudly announce the development of the Blakeslee Center for Discovery and Design and the Trauma-Informed Counseling Center, both set to open their doors when school begins. These centers have been created and designed by renowned interior designer and back-to-back nationally acclaimed design awardee Casey Martin of Reverie Design Studio. We are so grateful and blessed to have had the philanthropic support of our entire school community, led by our Board of Regents members, to make this new space possible.

Blakeslee Center for Discovery and Design - Prodigy in the Making
La Salle College Preparatory’s Centers of Innovation stands alone in developing intellectual growth, scholarly development, and student engagement. Our Centers of Innovation embody a forward-thinking approach to learning that aligns with the technological and scientific demands of the 21st century. Our new 4,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility was creatively designed to be cross-functional and foster interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning across several fields, such as biomedical engineering (CARLOW Center for Medical Innovation), aerospace and mechanical engineering, robotics, and computer science.

Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering: Soaring to New Heights
The new instructor and Center Director, Mr. Israel Barrera, has helped us with advanced labs equipped with cutting-edge machining equipment and a wind tunnel, enabling students to design, test, and refine aircraft and spacecraft prototypes. Students interested in flying an airplane can also train on our flight simulator to receive their pilot's license before their driver’s license (additional test fees apply). This immersive experience focuses on the engineering design process and rapid prototyping techniques using tools such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Students will hone their ability to transform theoretical concepts into tangible solutions and reshape their perspectives on aerospace and mechanical design possibilities.

Robotics: Bridging Imagination and Reality
Our robotics curriculum ignites students' imagination and technical skills by equipping them with the latest technology from our mechanical and electrical fabrication spaces. Students engage in projects building and programming robots, exploring increasingly complex systems. This builds confidence and skills that connect to in-demand fields such as automation and data science, preparing students for leadership in an increasingly automated world.

Computer Science: Empowering the Digital Generation
Our computer science curriculum is a cornerstone of the Center for Discovery and Design. Students access high-performance computing, software development tools, and data analysis technologies. This hands-on environment fosters coding, cybersecurity, and data science proficiency, preparing students to tackle real-world problems.

A Future With Innovative Curriculum: Architectural, Graphic, and Interior Design
Our new architectural, graphic, and interior design curriculum profoundly impacts students' lives. It develops aesthetically pleasing, supportive, inclusive, and resource-rich environments. This UC-approved course introduces college-level rigor and advanced design thinking. Students design living and working spaces through project-based learning, using industry-standard 3D modeling and state-of-the-art 3D printers. They engage with software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop, and Adobe Indesign, preparing them to create a sustainable, harmonious future.

UC-Approved Architecture Elective Course Offering
To complement the Center for Discovery and Design, we are excited to offer an additional year-long, UC-approved elective course called Architectural Design 1. This is a rigorous, hands-on exploration of design as it relates to the architectural relationships of humans to their interior and exterior environments. Students will explore architectural history and theories, the professions of interior design and architecture, and how to design and create real interior and exterior spaces for clients. Students will learn industry-standard programs, build digital 3D models of buildings, create professional construction documents, work on real-world design projects, and work alongside real designers throughout the entirety of this exhilarating and industry-specific entry into the world of architectural design.

Course Meetings: Asynchronous, Instructor-Scheduled Check-Ins - Because specific software is needed, there is a designated computer lab with six desktops in the Blakeslee Center for Discovery and Design for students to use after school. The course is open to all grade levels with no prerequisites. Students interested in this elective course are asked to complete this interest form by Monday, August 26th. If you have any questions, please contact course instructor Ms. Casey Martin at cmartin@lasallehs.org.

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CARLOW Center for Medical Innovation - Additional Space & Opportunity

The CARLOW Center for Medical Innovation, renovated with much more space, stands exclusively alone as an advanced pathway. It has advanced tools for exploring ethical healthcare, human health, and medical research. Led by Master Instructor Elizabeth Parga, it revolutionizes high school learning in biology, medicine, and healthcare. With world-class mentors and cutting-edge equipment, students tackle real-world challenges and advanced medical research. From developing medical devices to cancer and stem cell research, hands-on experiences cultivate problem-solvers ready to contribute to global health and technology.

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Newly Renovated and Innovative Counseling Center

Our Counseling Department is staffed with outstanding professionals who work to address the personal, academic, and mental health needs of students. The new space, designed with a calming atmosphere, aims to soothe students upon arrival, providing a haven where they can feel at ease. This initiative underscores our commitment to the holistic well-being of our students, balancing personal and academic guidance with emotional support.

In today’s challenging high school environment, we want our students to have the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, adapt to new situations, and maintain a positive outlook despite adversity. This Counseling Center fosters students' emotional and mental fortitude while gaining the ability to find purpose under challenging circumstances. We are dedicated to helping our students experience personal growth and build supportive relationships that contribute to the overall well-being of their lives. This reimagined learning space is where healing feels natural, safety comforts the anxious, and mental well-being leads to recovery and resilience.

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Stewart Chapel Martyrs of Turon

There is a new location for our chapel, strategically located at the crossroads of student traffic on the ground floor, next to the west staircase, which is a serene sanctuary designed to accommodate up to 22-25 people. This tranquil space offers individual and group opportunities for silent meditation, prayer, and spiritual guidance, fostering a peaceful environment for reflection and inner peace. The Chapel is thoughtfully designed to provide a calming atmosphere, with comfortable seating and soft lighting, encouraging a deep connection with one’s spiritual self. Whether seeking personal solace or participating in guided group meditations, the Stewart Chapel Martyrs of Turon is dedicated to nurturing the spiritual well-being of our employees and students.

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As we embark on a new school year, I am beyond thrilled with La Salle’s ability to foster even more passion-driven learning and experiences with our students and faculty. These innovative, forward-facing, missing-aligned enhancements to our campus plant underscore our commitment to ensuring that our students are provided with the greatest opportunities to grow and thrive. Entering my fifth year serving as the president of La Salle College Preparatory, I continue to remain in awe of the amazing student body we have the privilege of serving. I pray that you, your families, and our entire Lasallian community have a wonderful school year.

Sincerely,

Perry Martin, M.Ed.
School President