San Juan Island School District is excited to announce that US News & World Report has ranked Friday Harbor High School no. 5 out of 626 high schools in Washington State, and no. 317 in the nation out of nearly 22,000 high schools from 49 states and the District of Columbia (Nebraska was not included). “This is good news”, said Principal Fred Woods, “Our teachers work hard, as do our students, and we are very proud of the efforts of our school community to provide a strong educational foundation.” Annually, US News and World Report ranks colleges, graduate schools, online programs and high schools using statistical analyses that includes performance on state assessments (taking into account the test scores of disadvantaged students), and then, nationally, college-readiness by student success in Advanced Placement (AP) programs. This recognition includes designations of gold, silver or bronze medals to the top ranking high schools. Friday Harbor High School earned a gold medal, designating achievement in state assessments, college readiness and a ranking in the top 500 schools in the nation. “I am pleased but not surprised given the quality of our district as a whole.” Principal Woods claimed. Friday Harbor High School has recently been recognized in the areas of marine science, robotics, athletics, drama and art, through awards, competitions and highly acclaimed performances. In addition to recognition for Advanced Placement (AP)student performance, last year Friday Harbor High School was awarded the Washington State Achievement Award for Overall Excellence with a special recognition in language arts.

Into the Woods opened last Friday, April 26 at San Juan Community Theatre, complete with a multi-talented cast, orchestra and stellar set and costumes thanks to a multitude of island volunteers. “I tell people who ask me about the play that Act I is all of the characters going into the woods to realize their wish,” said director Margaret Hall. “Act II is ‘be careful what you wish for.” Intertwining the Brothers Grimm stories of Cinderella, Jack in the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood, the play is a “never a dull moment” mixture of almost nonstop music and singing, plot twists and turns that take us on a one-of-a-kind journey into the woods.  Because Into the Woods does take a more mature-themed turn in Act II, the special matinee for children and families on Sunday at 2:00 pm, will feature only the first act. Into the Woods continues Thursday through Sunday, May 2-5 and Thursday through Saturday, May 9-11. Tickets are available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org or at the SCJT box office 360-378-3210

Visitors to Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor expect to find a state-of-the-art place for healing. They may not expect to find such a superb art collection housed within its walls and on its grounds. To highlight this facet of PIMC, Peace Island Volunteers invite the community to come enjoy (and learn more about) the spectacular art on display at “Art in the Afternoon” -a special fund raising event to be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 4:00pm.