More than 400 parents joined their children in the classrooms of West Ranch High School this week as part of the school's fourth annual Parent Shadow Day.

Parents were invited to follow their children on a minimum day schedule, taking part in science experiments, trying their hand at art, taking tests and generally doing the things that students do during a regular school day.

Some even brought instruments to play along with their students in band and gym clothes to work alongside their sons and daughters in physical education classes.

Others joined their students on camera or working behind the scenes in the school's video production facility, broadcasting news of campus activities to classrooms across the school.

Principal Bob Vincent welcomed the parents in the gym prior to the start of the school day and thanked them of making Parent Shadow Day a priority and taking the day off of work in support of their teenager.

"Your presence here today speaks volumes to your teenager about the importance you place on education and your teenager's future," he told the participating parents. "By the end of the day you will be amazed at how high school has changed since you attended."

Vincent noted that students today face a much more rigorous curriculum than their parents did when they were in school. Parent Shadow Day is meant to give parents a taste of today's educational environment so they can better understand both the increased opportunities and the increased pressures that today's students face.

"It is stressful to be a teenager in the new millennium," Vincent said, "but we have lots of academic, social, and emotional interventions in place to help kids transition from childhood to adults."

On their evaluation sheets turned in at the end of the day, parents lauded the high level of academics they witnessed and the very creative methods of teaching.

"I was impressed with how well the teachers interacted with the students," commented one parent. "Our kids are so fortunate to attend a school like this," said another.

Others were impressed with the friendliness of students and staff and the campus itself, the technology and student participation.