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It is with great pleasure I welcome you to James Irwin Charter High School's 2010-2011 school year. We have an incredible faculty and staff whose goal is to partner with you to deliver the best college prep education in Colorado Springs. In 2007 and 2009, JICHS was awarded a Silver Medal by U.S. News & World Report for being in the top 3% of high schools in the nation according to their analysis America's Best High Schools – School Matters report. We received the John Irwin Schools of Excellence award for the past four years it was conferred. This high honor was awarded to schools in the top 8% of the state based on overall academic achievement. Be assured, we are not resting on these accolades, but continuing to strive for ways to improve our programs in order to best serve each student.
Whether you already attend JICHS or are exploring enrollment, I commend you for your consideration of James Irwin Charter High School. Our commitment to character development combined with our rigorous academic program continues to prepare students for success, not only in college, but for life. Our academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programs are seeking students who are committed to excellence.
On behalf of the board, administration, faculty and staff, I hope you enjoy the exciting James Irwin experience. May you be blessed with a successful 2010-2011 school year!
Alex Marquez has been in the education field for twenty years. He received an Associate of Arts degree from Miami-Dade Community College in 1987, a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University in 1990, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2003. Mr. Marquez holds professional licenses for teaching and school administration in both Florida and Colorado. Prior to being the principal at James Irwin Charter High School, Mr. Marquez's career included one year as an elementary music teacher, seven years as a middle and high school Director of Bands, and seven and a half years as a school principal. 2010-2011 will be Mr. Marquez's third year as principal of James Irwin Charter High School. His career also includes stints as a county manager for crisis counselors in Project HOPE, a trainer for a bank, and editor of a small newspaper.
Mr. Marquez met his wife, Ruthie, 25 years ago in Miami and they have been happily married since 1990. They have four young boys ages 4 to 10. While in Florida, Mr. Marquez was involved in several community theater productions and a brass quintet. He also co-wrote a television sitcom pilot that placed in the semi-finals of a script competition. Mr. Marquez continues to develop other projects on his own and with his writing partner. He hopes one day to be able to contribute scripts and books that are clean, yet meaningful. Currently, Mr. Marquez is involved in producing radio dramas with America's Radio Theater and writing an adolescent novel series.
In addition to enjoying being principal of JICHS, Mr. Marquez loves dating his wife, spending time with his children, writing, playing piano, and serving as a Bible teacher and lay counselor at a local church. After living in Florida his entire life, Mr. Marquez and his family moved to Colorado Springs in the summer of 2006. He states, "We absolutely love Colorado! James Irwin is an incredible school where the staff and parents team up to do what's best for the students. The mission of JICHS, to develop student character and provide an academically rigorous program, is lived out each day in a real way. I'm so excited to be part of one of the top schools in Colorado and feel incredibly blessed to serve alongside the best and finest faculty and staff anywhere."
