Lick-Wilmerding High School
Mission, Vision, and Values
A private school with public purpose, Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.
Strategic Directions 2020–2025
Community Vision Statement
Lick-Wilmerding High School strives to cultivate a diverse, collaborative community of students and adults that is rooted in empathy, equity, respect, humility, and accountability. We commit to uphold the tenets of anti-racism and to interrupt all forms of interpersonal and institutional bias and discrimination. We aspire to create safe, joyful spaces for learning where everyone brings their whole selves, feels known and heard, lifts each other up, and engages in all aspects of life at LWHS and beyond.
History
Founded in 1895 as the California School of Mechanical Arts, Lick-Wilmerding went through several transformations before becoming the version of the school we are so proud of today.
Head, Heart, Hands
LWHS prepares its students to thrive in college and to be passionate, self-directed, lifelong learners. LWHS has a long tradition of valuing and integrating the liberal arts, sciences, technical arts, visual arts and performing arts. The rigorous head, heart, hands curriculum provides students with a “toolbox” with which to build lives of consequence and fulfillment. In order to prepare students to assume responsible, ethical adult roles in the world. Additionally, problem solving and collaborative skill building, including learning when to lead and when to listen, are integral to a LWHS education. Fostering innovative thought across all disciplines, most distinctively through the integration of science, technology and design, LWHS encourages students to marshal the courage to make mistakes in order to learn and become more resilient. LWHS further believes that mindfulness and healthy ways of being, including seeking balance in one’s life, are essential to living a life of care—for self, family, community, and environment.
Public Purpose
A private school with a public purpose, LWHS furthers this mission by developing graduates with the capacity, confidence, compassion and commitment to change the world. The LWHS curriculum is both a catalyst and a vehicle for civic engagement, offering real world insights and inspiring students to contribute their time, talent, and treasure to work that matters. The larger community—local and global—is an extension of LWHS classrooms, providing students opportunities for thoughtful and effective problem solving and stewardship. In addition, LWHS shares its innovative educational models, as well as its knowledge, networks, and resources, with others who are committed to improving lives, prospects, and possibilities for young people.