Principal John O'Neill has led the transformation of Forest Grove High School in Forest Grove into a place of substantial academic improvement. He implemented a School Improvement Plan with a data-driven instructional and decision-making model, created a program that helps incoming ninth graders make the transition to high school, and implemented an advisory program in which teachers provide small student groups with support on issues related to high school success. O'Neill expanded the number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered at Forest Grove, and led the implementation of academies in six career interest areas to help juniors and seniors make better-informed college and career decisions. He also instituted a policy in which all students who have yet to meet state benchmarks in math and reading are required to take electives in these subjects in addition to their regular math and language arts classes. As a result of such strategies, the percentage of students who meet or exceed state benchmarks in reading and math has risen dramatically during O'Neill's tenure.
1989 Oregon State University, B.S.
