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Leigh High School

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Leigh High School
Address
Map
5210 Leigh Avenue

San Jose
,
California
95124

United States
Information
School typePublic, comprehensive high school
MottoesThe Leigh High School Billboard sign.
Founded1962
School districtCampbell Union High School District
OversightWestern Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools
SuperintendentDr. Rhonda Farber
PrincipalDonna Hope
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,700+
LanguageEnglish
CampusSuburban
AreaSanta Clara County
Color(s)    Forest Green & Gold
MascotLonghorns
Team nameLonghorns
Feeder schoolsUnion Middle School
Dartmouth Middle School
Ida Price Middle School
Websitehttp://www.leigh.cuhsd.org

Leigh High School is a secondary school located in San Jose, California. Opening in September 1962, it was the fifth school to be established within the Campbell Union High School District. The school has twice been awarded the California Distinguished School award, in 1999 and 2003.[1] As of 2005, the enrollment at the school was 1729 students. The school colors are gold (yellow) and pine green. The school's mascot is the longhorn.

Academics

Leigh High School is an academically successful high school, with rankings placing it above average when compared to others in California. The average SAT scores of students were the highest in the district in 2000, and were above the state and national averages.[citation needed] The California Department of Education Academic Performance Index of Leigh High school gave it a ranking of 9 within its state, and a relative ranking of 8. Ninety percent of Leigh graduates go on to attend either university or community college after graduation.[citation needed]

Leigh's 1,700+ students annually score above the state and national averages on the STAR, CAHSEE, SAT, and Advanced Placement tests. Leigh also serves a large Special Education population through its Resource, Special Day Class, and Emotionally Disturbed programs. Maintaining an average class size of thirty students, Leigh provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes instructional programs designed for college-bound, Special Education, and vocational students.

Advanced Programs

Leigh offers Advanced Placement (AP) instruction in Chemistry, English, US History, European History, American Government, Studio Art, Spanish Language, French Language, Physics, Biology, Calculus, Statistics, and Music Theory. Leigh also offers seven honors classes: English 1-4, World History, Biology, and Chemistry.

Special Education Programs

The school's AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) has been in place for four years, so Leigh now has four AVID classes, one for each grade level.

The Central County Occupational Center (CCOC) offers interested students a variety of vocational training in areas such as multimedia, cosmetology, managerial accounting, electrical maintenance, and auto body repair.

All high school students in the county’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HOH) program attend classes at Leigh, some of whom take sheltered classes with other deaf students, but many of whom are mainstreamed into classes with Leigh’s hearing population.

Music Programs

Leigh High School is noted in the Campbell Union High School District for its many musical programs. Leigh High School offers a concert band, a symphonic band, a wind ensemble which requires an audition, and a jazz ensemble which also requires an audition. During the winter, the music program offers both Winter Percussion, though this year they are doing a collaborative winter percussion with Branham High School, and Winter Guard programs, the latter which has become a World Guard and has ranked in the finals at world competitions. Leigh also offers choir as a year-long class for all grades.

As of the 2008-2009 school year, the music program's parent association has changed its original name, Instrumental Music Parent's Association, to Performing Arts Parent's Association (PAPA), due to the combination of Leigh High School's drama, choir and band programs.

Leigh High School's Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Music Theory Class, Jazz Band, and Marching Band are directed by Suzanne (Suzi) Holden since the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.[2]

Leigh High School Marching Band

Leigh High School marching band is one of the school's most popular and renowned activities, usually bringing in more than 100 students per season. It includes a drumline, a front ensemble, a colorguard, wind instruments, and brass instruments.

The marching band competes in the Western Band Association (WBA) competitions in the fall, along with the Northern California Band Association competitions. The Leigh High School marching band also performs at home football games as the pep band, but performs their whole show at Leigh High School's homecoming game.

Pre-marching season preparation for the band includes a week away at camp and a week at school, the latter reaching up to 9 hours a day.

Marching band field shows usually consist of an intro, an opener, a ballad, and a closer. In addition to a band director, the Leigh Marching Band is led by student captains, student section leaders, and student field staff leaders.

Symphonic Band

Symphonic band is a performance based ensemble for students who have prior experience on their instrument and the ability to read music. The ensemble consists of wind instruments and percussion.

Wind Ensemble

Wind ensemble is an advanced band for serious music students. Audition is required for each band member. The ensemble performs frequently and includes travel to festivals. The current band director is Suzanne Holden.

Concert Choir

Students sing all levels of music literature in a choir. The principle singing group performs at concerts, festivals, or other events during the school year. Ms. Barbara West is the current Choir director at Leigh.

Madrigals

This advanced choir performs many times throughout the school year. Students have to audition for the choir.

School Athletics

Students at Leigh High School compete in a variety of interscholastic sports, usually at the highest level available to them. Many teams have won regional championships.

In only the second year of the school's existence the 1964 Varsity football team tied for the league championship. This was followed up by the 1966 Varsity football team that won the league title outright. In 1970 the Varsity football team again won the league title with a record of 11-1, its lone loss coming in the inaugural County Championship game against Los Altos Hills (30-23). The 2001-2002 Varsity Football team was runner-up in the Central Coast Section Championship. The 2004 Varsity Football team also shared the league championship with Oak Grove High School

In the mid 70's, Leigh High was noted for its Cross Country dynasty, under the coaching of Homer Latimer, and in 1974 the Longhorns won the national title. The school's proximity to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where runners trained vigorously year round, was a significant contributor to the program's success.

Student Government

Student government is a vital part of the extra-curricular life of Leigh. The students involved are elected by their peers and foster community amongst students and staff. A subgroup of this organization is Leigh’s Student Congress where diverse representatives are chosen from each sixth period class. These congress meetings promote discussion, planning, and publicity for campus activities.

There are more than thirty clubs on campus open to all students, with meeting times during lunch or after school, which makes it convenient for students to attend. Each club or organization must have a constitution and must be approved by the Associated Student Body (ASB).

School Campus and Facilities

Leigh is currently in the final stages of its building renovations, which were initiated by a ninety-five million dollar local school bond measure passed in 1999. All playing fields and a majority of the schools classrooms have been renovated. The administration offices, library, cafeteria, student quad, art classrooms, and former music classrooms are next in line for renovation. Because Leigh High School was built in 1962, building renovations will continue until the school is completely retrofitted for education in the twenty-first century.

Notable alumni

See also

References

Notes

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