John Burroughs High School

This article is about the school in Burbank, California. For the private high school in St. Louis, Missouri, see John Burroughs School.

John Burroughs High School
File:Jbhsfront.jpg
Location
1920 W. Clark Avenue Burbank, CA
Information
Type	Public
Established	1948
School district	Burbank Unified School District
Principal	Emilio Urioste, Jr.
Faculty	????
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	2,800+
Color(s)	Red and White
Mascot	Indian
Information	Phone: (818) 558-4777 Rival: Burbank High School Boys Football[1]: 2006 Pacific League Champions
Website	www.myjbhs.com[2] JB Athletics @ Maxpreps[3]

John Burroughs High School is a public high school located in Burbank, California. Emilio Urioste, Jr. is the current principal. The school was built in the 1920's, but wasn't established as a high school until 1948. The school was named after naturalist John Burroughs. The school is highly regarded due to its high test scores for the region, being located in a high acclaimed school district, and its close vicinity to major broadcasting studios and sound stages.

The school's mascot is the Indian. Due to controversy in the late 90's, the school was almost forced to change their mascot to the Reds, the Tomahawks, or the Red Waves. Many members of the local community felt that the mascot was a dated, derogatory stereotype. It was decided, however, that changing the school's mascot of 50 years was deemed a bad idea because some school board members felt that it would be caving in to 'political correctness.' The mascot remained the Indian, despite the fact that most schools around the country have already altered similar imagery, including Stanford University.

Academics

John Burroughs boasts high tests scores for being a public school in Southern California.

The school scored a 768 on the Academic Performance Index in 2007, being very close to reaching the state deadline of 800 within the next several years. 91% of students passing the math portion of the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exams) on the first attempt 92% of students passing the English portion of the CAHSEE on first attempt The Instrumental Music Association (IMA) has been ran by director Paul Vesilind for seven years until his resignation in 2007. His job has been taken by saxophonist Tana Barnett. There are 4 bands as well as a drumline at Burroughs. In 2006 the marching band played in a sound byte for Shrek the Third and was featured in the animated movie.

Marching Band
Concert Band
Wind Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble
Drumline

There are also 5 competing show choirs and 2 a capella groups at John Burroughs under the direction of Brendan Jennings. He took over the program in 2006 after Mrs.Mary Rago retired from teaching for almost 30 years. The choirs are well known and many come to see their shows through out the year. Most resently, Powerhouse took Grand Championship at Fame Chicago 2008 Nationals.

Powerhouse/Chamber Choir - Advanced Mixed
Sound Sensations/Madrigals - Advanced Women's
Sound Waves - Intermediate Mixed
Decibelles - Intermediate Women's
Men@Work - Mens Choir
Vocal Ensamble - Acapella mixed
Muses - Acapella women's

Athletics

John Burroughs has a rich history in athletics over the last 50 years, having produced numerous All-State, and All- CIF athletes. Burroughs alum have also gone on to play at the Division 1 level, as well as compete professionally.

The football team at Burrough has had a storied past. Winning many Foothill League titles in the 1970s, as well as a Pacific League Championship (Coached by Keith Knoop) in the 2006 season, their first competing in the Pacific League, as well as their first league championship in 25 years (the 1981 varsity team won the Foothill League). Also, the track and field team produced Olympic silver medalist Ron Morris (Rome, 1960). In recent years, the distance program, headed by Coach John Peebles, has produced many talents, perhaps one of the most successful programs in Burroughs history to date. He has produced a CIF champion, 4 state finalists (track) and his cross country squads have made appearances in the post-season each year since 2000, with the varsity men winning the foothill league title in 2006. The basketball program, headed by longtime coach Art Sullivan, has also enjoyed success, making the semi-finals of the CIF tournament in the late 1990s, and again in 2006. The varsity baseball team also enjoyed much success in the late 90's, led by Coach Jose Valle, making the CIF quarter finals round. In the mid 90's, Coach Kodoma led the men's varsity soccer team to a few CIF southern section playoff appearances as well, and also produced several All-CIF athletes.

District

John Burroughs high school is a member of the Burbank Unified School District (B.U.S.D.). The district is renowned for consistently high test scores from its students.

Notable alumni

Many notable actors and actresses have attended this high school due to its close vicinity to many major studios such as NBC Universal, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios, and numerous voice recording and cartooning studios (Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network being the most note-worthy. )

• Ron Howard ("The Andy Griffith Show" & "Happy Days")
• Jonna Lee, tv and film actress, Making the Grade, Another World
• Rene Russo ("Lethal Weapon" & "Ransom")
• Thomas Huber, actor in the television series Fame
• Debbe Dunning "Tool Time Girl" on Home Improvement
• Brittany Murphy also briefly attended John Burroughs but did not graduate.
• Dan Haggerty, Grizzly Adams
• Angela Watson, 'Karen' on the sitcom "Step By Step"
• Lindsey McKeon, Taylor James on One Tree Hill, briefly attended Burroughs
• Aurora Jolie, pornographic actress
• Debbie Reynolds, Oscar-winning actress
• Mara Wilson, Actress "Matilda"
• Adam Hendershott, actor
• Tim Matheson, actor, notebly of "National Lampoon's Animal House"
• Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit, actors on TV's Full House
• Burroughs was used as the location for the TV series "The Wonder Years" and for the 1985 Michael J. Fox comedy "Teen Wolf".
• Burroughs was also used in a T-Mobile commercial in the summer of 2007.
• Tonic (band)'s music video, "You Wanted More," was filmed at JBHS for the movie "American Pie (film)"

References

• John Burroughs High School on Burbank.com