Our Story
Welcome to Lecanto High School
At Lecanto High School, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, pursue their passions, and prepare for a future filled with possibilities.
As an International Baccalaureate World School, home of the Lecanto School of the Arts, and a comprehensive high school offering outstanding academic, career, leadership, fine arts, and athletic opportunities, Lecanto High School provides students with something truly special: a pathway for every Panther.
Our students can pursue internationally recognized academic programs, earn college credit, develop industry-ready skills, explore the arts, serve their community, compete in athletics, and grow as leaders—all while being part of a school community built on high expectations, relationships, opportunity, and Panther Pride.
Why Families Choose Lecanto High School
At LHS, opportunity is not one-size-fits-all. Students can build an educational experience that reflects their talents, interests, and goals.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP)
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IB CP)
- Lecanto School of the Arts
- Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Honors, and AVID
- Career and Technical Education pathways
- Agriculture, Welding, Culinary Arts, Digital Design & Animation
- Principles of Teaching, Personal Training & Fitness, and STEAM opportunities
- Army JROTC leadership development
- Band, Chorus, Theatre, and Visual Arts
- Competitive athletics, clubs, student leadership, service, and extracurricular opportunities
International Baccalaureate: Think Globally. Lead Confidently.
Lecanto High School proudly offers both the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Programme. The Diploma Programme provides rigorous, internationally recognized study emphasizing critical thinking, inquiry, communication, research, global awareness, and service.
The Career-related Programme connects the academic strength and global perspective of IB with career-focused education. Students can combine IB learning with pathways such as culinary arts, agriculture, welding, digital design, the arts, JROTC, teaching, personal training, and STEAM.
Lecanto School of the Arts: Where Creativity Becomes Opportunity
Established in 1997, the Lecanto School of the Arts provides talented and passionate students with specialized opportunities to develop their artistic abilities. Students may pursue Painting & Drawing – 2D Art, Sculpture & Pottery – 3D Art, and Animation Technology, while also accessing advanced academic and career coursework.
At LSA, creativity is more than an elective. It can become a future.
Principal
 |
Troy LaBarbara |
Assistant Principals
 Dianna Goolsby |
 Brian Hengesbach |
 Elizabeth Moran |
College-Ready Panthers
Students seeking advanced academic challenges have access to multiple opportunities designed to prepare them for success beyond high school.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
- Advanced Placement
- Dual Enrollment
- Honors Coursework
- AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination
Through AVID, students strengthen organization, study habits, note-taking, leadership, and college-readiness skills. Our goal is not simply to help students get into college. We want our Panthers prepared to succeed when they get there.
Career-Ready Panthers
For students who learn best by doing, Lecanto High School connects classroom learning with real-world careers. Career-focused experiences include Agriculture, Welding, Culinary Arts, Digital Design, 3D Animation Technology, Principles of Teaching, Personal Training & Fitness, and STEAM. Students may also explore additional technical education and dual enrollment opportunities through Citrus County Schools and Withlacoochee Technical College.
Leadership, Character & Service
Through Army JROTC, student government, clubs, organizations, athletics, service opportunities, and school leadership experiences, Panthers develop responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, citizenship, and service. Leadership is not simply a title. It is how you serve others.
Fine & Performing Arts
Creativity is an important part of the Panther experience. Students can participate in Band, Chorus, Theatre, Visual Arts, Painting & Drawing, Sculpture & Pottery, and Animation. Whether performing on stage, competing with the band, creating in the studio, or developing digital artwork, Panthers are encouraged to find their voice and share their talents.
Panther Athletics
Athletics provide another classroom for learning. Lecanto High School offers a broad range of competitive opportunities where students learn discipline, teamwork, resilience, leadership, commitment, and Panther Pride. Panthers compete in football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, golf, swimming and diving, wrestling, tennis, cross country, track and field, weightlifting, cheerleading, flag football, and more.
A School on the Rise
There is tremendous momentum at Lecanto High School. Our Panthers demonstrated significant academic growth, moving the school from a “C” to a “B,” and we continue to set our sights higher. That progress reflects the combined efforts of our students, teachers, staff, families, and community.
We celebrate our accomplishments, but we are not finished.
The Panther Way
Our school community is guided by R.I.S.E., which are the values that shape how Panthers learn, lead, and treat one another.
| R — Respect | Treat others and ourselves with dignity. |
| I — Inspire | Encourage others to reach their potential. |
| S — Support | Help one another succeed. |
| E — Empower | Give students the confidence, skills, and opportunities to take ownership of their futures. |
One School. Many Pathways. Every Panther.
Some students arrive at Lecanto knowing exactly what they want to pursue. Others are still discovering who they want to become. Both belong here.
A Panther can be an IB scholar and an athlete. A Panther can be an artist and an academic leader. A Panther can study welding, agriculture, or culinary arts while preparing for college or a career. A Panther can perform on a stage, march with the band, serve through JROTC, earn college credit, pursue an industry certification, lead a student organization, compete for a championship, or discover an entirely new passion.
There isn't just one path to success.
There is a pathway for every Panther.
Become a Panther
We invite students and families to discover everything Lecanto High School has to offer. Come experience a school where academic excellence, career preparation, creativity, leadership, athletics, service, and school pride come together in one Panther community.
Discover Your Strengths.
Find Your Path.
Build Your Future.
Become a Panther.