Principal Hired for Early College H.S.

Early College High School Principal Don Lorett

The Four Corners Educational Council for Student Success welcomes Don Lorett to his new role as principal of the Early College High School. 

The Four Corners Educational Council for Student Success welcomes Don Lorett to his new role as principal of the Early College High School. 

The Council is comprised of Aztec, Bloomfield, and Farmington School Districts and San Juan College. The group selected Lorett for his educational and career experiences and skills that have prepared him for the challenge of planning and opening an early college high school. In selecting Lorett for the position, the council also acknowledged Lorett’s strong relationship with students and the community.

For the past 31 years, Lorett has been a respected educator and administrative leader in the Four Corners area and throughout the state. He has served as a successful coach and has been recognized statewide in his leadership role as Athletic Director. He moves from his current position as Assistant Principal at Farmington High School and will begin an immediate transition to his new role. Lorett earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education from Judson Baptist College in Portland, Oregon in 1984, and earned his Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from New Mexico Highlands University in 2003.

“I am excited to be a part of the foundation for the Early College High School that will provide students with a unique opportunity to earn a high school diploma and associate’s degree simultaneously,” Lorett said. “I look forward to working with the students, staff, each of the school districts, and San Juan College in this new endeavor.”

The Early College High School is scheduled to open in the fall of  2016 with an incoming freshmen class of 40 students from the Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield communities. Lorett will continue to be a Farmington Municipal Schools employee. The high school will be housed at San Juan College’s Farmington campus.

The Early College High School received funding in the amount of $349,000 from the New Mexico Public Education Department for a planning year. The funds will be utilized to hire four staff (principal, administrative assistant, counselor, and college liaison), as well as providing professional development and deploying a student recruitment process.

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