The school opened in 1984,[13] and the first graduating class was in 1985.[14] The school is built on a 160-acre (650,000 m2) property known as the Lecanto Educational Complex. The property is also home to CREST School, Renaissance Center, Citrus County Instructional Resource Center, Citrus County Schools Student Services offices, Lecanto Primary School, Lecanto Middle School, and Lecanto School of Art. Central Florida Community College was also located on the site from 1984 to 1996,[15] when they moved onto their own campus. As of 2009, Lecanto High School is part of the International Baccalaureate program.[citation needed]
Classes
In the 1996-97
school year, Lecanto switched its class scheduling to a "4X4 block" type schedule. Each student plans their schedule specifically depending on the student's goals after High school. Schedules and curriculum are built around whether the student is planning to work directly after graduation, attend a two-year
vocational program, or planning for college. The students must also pick a major, which will focus their studies on a more specific field.[16]
As of 2007, Lecanto High School had average
FCAT scores of 314.5 in mathematics, 317 in writing, and 315 in science. The state averages that same year were 316.25, 295.33, and 295.33 respectively.[17]
As of the 2018 school year, Lecanto has switched back to using the seven periods scheduling Monday through Wednesday. Starting in 2021, they have added a "Power Hour", called "Panther Hour" after the school's mascot, to their schedules for clubs, chat, or social activities on Thursdays and Fridays which follow the "4X4 Block" scheduling.[citation needed]
Band
Made up of around 65 to 85 musicians (brass woodwind and percussion), the Lecanto High School Marching Band has been on the rise in the Florida Marching Band Coalition (FMBC) since 2009. In 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015, they ended in the top 10 in the 2A class.[18] Staff includes the director Bobby Crane (2016–present), visual instructor Ryan Anderson (2015–2016), color guard instructor Benjamin Schreiber (2014–present), and front ensemble instructor Hunter Brown (2016–present).[19]
Shows and accomplishments
2009 - 2012 Superior Ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment [20]
2009, 2010 and 2012, 2015 Straight Superior at FBA MPA [20]
2006 Nightmare Before Christmas class 1A 13th 64.80 [21]