By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

Invite Superintendent Rich Fischer to speak about the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District and he’ll take on the demeanor of a proud papa.

“We are an academic high school district. We do well in athletic competition, but our emphasis is on academics,” Fischer told members of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club last week. “We have more than 700 kids out for sports and 30 clubs for kids to get involved in, but our goal is to improve academically.

“Our (Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT) scores are above state scores and are improving yearly,” Fischer said. “We set a goal for our Honor and Advance Placement (AP) classes. That’s why our kids go to good schools like the (Ivy League schools) and Stanford.”

Fischer said students don’t take an AP class for fun. “You have to know what you are getting into and those students score the highest,” he said. “The extensive co-curricular program allows students to expand their horizons through participation in clubs, multicultural activities and sports.

“We are challenged because we are fed by the Los Altos School District,” Fischer said. “That’s the best elementary district in California and we have to be prepared for their students.”

Fischer said the campuses are safe.

“We have had no expulsions this year,” he said.