Mission     Vision     Philosophy     Legend of the Wampus Cat

Welcome to Clark Fork!

Clark Fork is located in the eastern portion of Bonner county, and the community includes the tallest peak in the Cabinet Mountains - Scotchman - at 7,009 feet.  The school mascot is the Wampus Cat, and the school colors are royal blue and gold.

The Legend of the Wampus Cat

The quiet town of Clark Fork is home to one of the most enduring legends of Bonner County - the Wampus Cat.  The fearsome feline has been the trademark of Clark Fork High School for 57 years - ever since the school's basketball team adopted the carnivorous cat as its own.  But the tale of the Wampus Cat is rooted in legends of the Indians who once lived in the Clark Fork valley.

The Indians who lived in the valley told of a wild cat that was often seen stalking its prey along the banks of the Clark Fork River.  The cat resembled a cougar, except for a ball-like formation at the end of its tail.  some stories of the cat reported that the ball was covered with sharp quills, or spikes.

When the cat approached his prey, he would begin to swing his tail striking down his victim.  The slow, but deadly cat was given the name "Wampus Cat" by the Indians.  Like the Wampus Cat of original legend, the Clark Fork Jr/Sr High Wampus Cat has become known as a fierce contender in battle and a sure conqueror of its prey.

Written by Clark Fork resident Shirley Dawson Crawford,
in honor of the area's legend of the Wampus Cat

School Mission

Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School is a caring community of lifelong learners working together towards excellence.

School Vision

Clark For Jr/Sr High School envisions a clean, safe, structured academic environment that strives for scholastic excellence through creative collaboration while promoting pride in ourselves and our school.

School Philosophy

Lake Pend Oreille School District and Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School welcomes everyone without regard to differences in race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, or the presence of any disability.


We Believe:

1. Schools must foster a safe physical and emotional learning environment.
2. Teachers must recognize each student as a unique and valued for his/her physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
3. All staff must maintain order and discipline in the classroom and the rest of the campus.
4. Everyone must teach and model the basic values of honesty, self-discipline, respect for authority, and a positive work ethic.
5. Students must be taught effective communication skills promoting mutual understanding and growth, and in turn, academic excellence.
6. A curriculum supporting individual academic excellence must be in place in all classrooms.
7. All students must be prepared with the necessary skills to succeed in the ever-changing workforce.
8. Current technology must be implemented throughout the curriculum.
9. The entire school and community of Clark Fork must share the passion and responsibility in the development of producing responsible, productive citizens.