Benicia High School

Benicia High School
Established	1892
Type	Public High School
Principal	Gary Jensen
Faculty	111
Students	approx. 1700
Grades	9 - 12
Location	1101 Military West, Benicia, California, United States
District	Benicia Unified School District
Campus	Suburban 47 acres (0.19km2)
Colors	Blue      Gold
Athletics	Solano County Athletic Conference
Mascot	Panther
Yearbook	Different Each Year
Newspaper	The PAW
Website	http://www.beniciaunified.org/bhs/

Benicia High School is a public school serving roughly 1,700 students, grades nine through twelve. It is located in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area, in Benicia, California. Like most California high schools, it is an open-air facility. The campus is adjacent to Mary Farmar Elementary School.

Academics

Advanced Placement courses

Benicia High School offers Advanced Placement courses in United States history, United States government, studio art, art history, calculus (AB and BC), chemistry, biology, English language and composition, English literature and composition, psychology, and Spanish language.

Test Scores

Benicia High School scored a 10 on the Academic Performance Index, with 10 being the best.^{[clarification needed]} This means the high school is in the top 10% of high schools in a comparable grade range. The previous year the school scored a 9.

California Standards Test

California uses the California Standards Test (CST) to test students' skills in English language arts and math in grades 2 through 11; science in grade 5; and social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. High school students either took a grade level test or a subject-specific test in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled. The CST is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

9th Grade

• In General Mathematics, 28% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 14%.
• In English language arts, 71% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 43%.
• In Algebra 1, 42% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 16%.
• In Geometry, 85% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 47%.

10th Grade

• In Algebra 2, 62% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 36%.
• In English language arts, 63% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 36%.
• In Algebra 1, 24% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 7%.
• In Geometry, 58% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 54%.

11th Grade

• In Algebra 2, 22% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 12%.
• In English language arts, 61% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 36%.
• In Algebra 1, 11% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 4%.
• In Geometry, 40% of students met or exceeded state standards. The state average is 7%.

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CAT/6

The CAT/6 test measures skills in reading, language, spelling and math. It measures how students in California rank against students in other states. The goal is for all students to score at or above the national average.

9th Grade

Benicia High School is in the 70th percentile in reading. This is up from the 65th percentile is was in the previous year. The school is in the 65th percentile in math. This is down from the 73rd percentile is was in the year before.

10th Grade

Benicia High School is in the 70th percentile in reading. This is up from the 62nd percentile is was in the previous year. The school is in the 73rd percentile in math. This is up from the 72nd percentile is was in the year before.

11th Grade

Benicia High School is in the 66th percentile in reading. This is up from the 47th percentile is was in the previous year. The school is in the 76th percentile in math. This is up from the 70th percentile it was in the year before.

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CAHSEE

The California High School Exit Exam is used to test students in English and Math. All students must pass this test in order to graduate from a California high school.

• In Math, 89% of students passed. The state average is 63%.
• In English, 93% of students passed. The state average is 65%.

Faculty statistics

• 93% of teachers have full credentials. This is in line with the state average.
• Teachers, on average in this school, have been teaching for 14 years. This is above the state average of 13 years.
• The average number of years teaching in this district is 10. This is in line with the state average.
• 6% of teachers are in their first year. This is below the state average of 7%.

• The average 9th grade class size is 30 students. The state average is 28.
• The average 10th grade class size is 29 students. The state average is 30.
• The average 11th grade class size is 28 students. The state average is 28.
• The average 12th grade class size is 27 students. The state average is 26.

Extra Curricular Activities

Athletics

Benicia High School competes in the Solano County Athletic Conference (SCAC) in Division III of the Sac-Joaquin Section. Sports include Mens/Women's Swimming, Mens/Women's Water Polo, "Mens/Womens Golf, Freshman/Junior Varsity/Varsity Football, Freshman/Varsity Baseball, Wrestling, Mens/Womens Basketball, Cross Country, Womens Volleyball, Women's Badminton Track & Field, Mens/Womens Soccer.

Despite being a small school, some former Varsity Baseball Players have been drafted into MLB.

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Performing Arts

Throughout the year, the department puts on two dance shows and two plays, one of which is a musical. In some years the students put on their own production. The department also funds an improvisational comedy team which performs shows on select Fridays throughout the school year.

Previous productions include:
Noises Off (2001-2002) -Directed by Paul Heller
Anything Goes (2001-2002) -Directed by Christine Mani
Big Love (2002-2003) -Directed by Paul Heller
A Chorus Line (2002-2003) -Directed by Christine Mani
Scapin (2003-2004) -Directed by Christine Mani
Little Shop of Horrors (2003-2004) -Directed by Greg Blunt and Choreographed by Christine Mani
Hard Candy (2003-2004) -Directed by Natasha Harris
John Simon Hates Me (2003-2004) -Directed by Derek Noel
Thieves Carnival (2004-2005) -Directed by Paul Heller
42nd Street (2004-2005) -Directed by Christine Mani and Choreographed by Natasha Harris
You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (2003-2004) -Directed by Natasha Harris and Lauren Cheak
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (2004-2005) -Directed by Christine Mani
Sweet Charity (2004-2005)
10 Little Indians (2004-2005)
Bye Bye Birdie (2005-2006)-Directed by Christine Mani
Rumors (2005-2006) -Directed by Amelia Gonsalves and Jordan DeLong
The Mouse that Roared (2006-2007)-Directed by John Baker and nominee for Best Set Design in local "Tony-esque" award ceremony
Seussical (2006–2007)-Directed by Christine Mani, Choreographed by Leslie Chapman and winner of several local awards, including Best High School Production
On the Razzle (2007–2008)-Directed by John Baker
On the Town (2007–2008)-Directed by Kim Thompson and winner of all nine awards in the "High School" category in the Artys
Crimes of the Heart (2008–2009)-Directed by Christine Mani and produced by John Baker
Once Upon a Mattress (2008–2009)- Directed by Christine Mani and produced by Carl Kittrell
Into the Woods (2009–2010) - Directed by Christine Mani and Kim Thompson
Odd Couple (2010–2011)
Beauty and the Beast (2010–2011)

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Benicia High School Panther Band

The band consists of five main groups: the marching band, the concert bands, the color guard, the jazz band, and the drumline. The bands and the colorguard perform and compete regularly in the fall and spring, as well as a winter colorguard and winter drumline during the winter. The band, was formally under the direction of award winning directors including Dalt Williams and Roxanna Macheel. Continuing the tradition now under the direction by Patrick Martin.

Marching Band

In 2004, the marching band was selected to perform in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade. The band had also performed previously in the 2001 parade.

The marching band receives high scores at several competitions every year. The band competes in the Northern California Band Association. To most, the Panther Marching band is a "powerhouse" band, placing them at or near the top of the NCBA marching band competitions.

In 2010-2011, the Panther Marching Band went undefeated with their march "Unter der Admirals Flagge" by Julius Fucik.

Concert Bands

Benicia High School has two concert bands, a symphonic band and an audition-only wind ensemble. In 2003 the wind ensemble performed at the California Band Directors' Association state conference. In 2005 the wind ensemble was selected to perform at the California Music Educators' Association state convention in Pasadena, CA. Both concert groups play some of the most difficult music in concert band repertoire, including "To Tame the Perilous Skies," "Twelve Seconds to the Moon," "Music of the Spheres," "Spin Cycle," "Exotic Particles and the Confinement of Quarks," and "The Tyger."

Since 2002, the Wind Ensemble has been undefeated in NCBA (Northern California Band Director's Association) concert competitions.

Color Guard

The Benicia High School Color Guard competes along with the marching band during marching season and by itself during the winter season. The color guard has been undefeated this 2006 marching season, receiving sweepstakes awards through the year. They have performed at a consistently high standard, running one of the best programs in the state. Their 2007 winter guard season has ended spectacularly, and although they will not attend Championships, their consistently high scores would place them at the top of the Open caption.

Jazz Band

The jazz band competes and performs in several concerts throughout the year at venues such as jazz festivals, car shows, gift and wine auctions, crab feeds, school concerts, and back-to-school night.

Drum Line

The Benicia High School Winter Drumline is an NCBA open class marching percussion ensemble. They are frequently one of the top competitors in their class. Their creative storytelling and theatrics, as well as their skill level, sets them apart from most other groups. Their 2010 show is entitled "A Dark Circus," won the unit 1st place at the NCBA Winter Championships hosted at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, CA.

A capella

Originally founded by Ryan Betita in 2009, the A capella is the Panther Band Program vocal group. Ranging in multiple hip hop tunes by various artists, the A capella provides the closest entertainment in vocal music.

Name not to be confused with "a cappella" (church vocal group).

Yearbook

The yearbook is designed and produced by students as part of a class. Benicia's yearbook has been recognized as a Walsworth Publishing's Book of Excellence.^{[citation needed]}

Leadership

The leadership class puts on events, rallies, and spirit days for the high school. The class advisor is Mary Wheat (2006–present).

References

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