Helix High School
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| Motto | Once a Scottie, Always a Scottie |
|---|---|
| Established | 1952 |
| Type | Charter Public comprehensive secondary |
| Principal | Douglas D. Smith |
| Students | 2,350 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | 7323 University Avenue, La Mesa, California 91941, USA |
| District | Helix Charter District |
| Colors | Green, grey, black, and white |
| Mascot | Scottish Terrier |
| Yearbook | 'Tartan' |
| Newspaper | 'Highland Fling' |
| Nickname | Highlanders |
| Website | Helix High School |
Helix High School (HHS), in La Mesa, California, is a charter high school built in 1952. It received its charter in 1998. Part of the Grossmont Union High School District, it serves a low to mid-level socioeconomic community and has a student body of approximately 2,350 pupils. Helix serves parts of La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley; however, as a charter school, all high school students in the state of California are eligible to attend.
Helix High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a California Distinguished School in 2001 and 2009 .
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[edit] Traditions
Mission statement
- Helix Charter High School is dedicated to preparing all students to graduate as highly literate, vocationally aware, life long learners. All graduates will gain confidence and self-worth as a direct result of the Helix learning experience. Graduates will be empowered to take increasing responsibility in their educational direction and academic success. All students will be prepared with the skills necessary for success in college and adulthood.
Pipe Band Helix's Scottish tradition is brought to life by the school's pipe and drum corps. The pipe band includes 12 pipers and 4 snare drummers, 2 tenor drummers, and one bass drummer. The pipe band performs in the fall with the marching band in parades, and also marches the football team onto the field at Helix's home games. In the spring, the band performs frequently at paid as well as volunteer gigs. http://helixcharterpipeband.com/
[edit] Notable alumni
- Reggie Bush, 2003, NFL running back, New Orleans Saints and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner.
- Chuck Cecil, 1984, former NFL free safety for the Green Bay Packers, Phoenix Cardinals, and Houston Oilers; currently defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans
- Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Nationally renowned wind ensemble conductor
- Dennis Hopper, 1954, actor and film director
- Barry Jantz, 1977, La Mesa City Councilman 1990-2006
- Kyra Phillips, 1986, news anchor, Cable News Network (CNN)
- Tom Philp, 1979, associate editor, Sacramento Bee, winner of 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing
- Victoria Pynchon (Pike), attorney mediator, writer, literary editor-in-chief, author and adjunct professor
- Cathy Scott, 1967, Bestselling true crime author and award winning national journalist
- Dr. J. Michael Scott, 1959, author and senior scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey
- Jim Sinegal, 1954?, co-founder and CEO of Costco
- Alex Smith, 2002, National Football League quarterback, San Francisco 49ers, and #1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft
- Bill Walton, 1970, sportscaster and former National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame center, Portland Trail Blazers,Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers)
- Todd Watkins, wide receiver on the Oakland Raiders
- Leon White, 1980, former National Football League Line backer, 1986 - 1991 Cincinnati Bengals, 1992 -1993 Los Angeles Rams
In 2004, two of the five finalists for the most prestigious individual honor in college football, the Heisman Trophy, were HCHS graduates: quarterback Alex Smith and running back Reggie Bush. This was the first time ever that two graduates from the same high school achieved this. Bush would then go on to claim the 2005 Heisman.
[edit] Notable faculty
- Myrra L. Lee, 1977 National Teacher of the Year
- Daniel Lewis, founding band director, former director of Pasadena Symphony and conducting professor at USC
[edit] Sexual misconduct
Since 2006, four former Helix High School teachers have been convicted of sex crimes. In June 2008, the school hired an ethics consultant to develop a training program for employees to prevent future cases and improve reporting of illegal and questionable conduct around students.[1] Because of controversy over the way that the school handled the misconduct cases, the Grossmont Board of Supervisors has considered revoking the school's charter.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Helix OKs policy on teacher behavior". http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20081016-9999-1ez16ethics.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
- ^ Sanchez, LeonelTrustees take Helix to task over sex abuse cases. The San Diego Union - Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Feb 13, 2009. pg. B.3
- [1] Article on Heisman trophy winners
- Distinguished school synopsis
- Grossmont Union High School District - school mascots and colors
- Helix High School - School Accountability Report Card 2004-2005
- List of California Distinguished Schools in San Diego County
[edit] External links
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