ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County's most expensive prep school, Lake Highland Preparatory School, is telling students they will have to get tested for drugs or find a new school.
"It's not disciplinary decision, it's one of health and wellness," said school President Warren Hudson.
Hudson said the school scrutinized the idea for months.
The school will remove a hair from the back of a student's head. It only has to be the size of a tip of a lead pencil. But if there's not enough, they can take from the arm instead.
If the student tests positive for any of 18 different drugs, including marijuana, his or her parent will be notified. Another test will be administered 100 days later.
If they fail or refuse it altogether, they'll have to leave the school.
"If you don't want to do this, then we're not the right school for you," said Warren.
While courts won't allow blanket drug-testing in public schools, private schools are protected.
"In the state of Florida there are no statutes that would prevent a private entity, as we are, from drug-testing," said Warren.
There has been some resistance to the testing plan, but school officials said support is overwhelming.
"It helps kids like my daughter feel more comfortable in saying 'No' against peer pressure," said parent Sejal Patel.
"It's going to help keep students safe and out of trouble," said student Logan Quackenbush.
Testing for 1,200 students will start next school year at a cost of $39 per person.
Officials said funding for the program was made possible by an anonymous donor.
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