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Arcadia High School (California)

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Arcadia High School
Location
Map
180 Campus Drive

Arcadia
,
California

United States
Information
TypePublic http://listserv.ahspta.com/AHSLogo.gif
MottoA Symbol of Honor and Pride
Established1952
School districtArcadia Unified School District
PrincipalMr. David Vannasdall
Faculty155
Grades9-12
Number of students3699 (as of May 2007)
Color(s)Cardinal and Gold
Athleticscolorguard, football, marching band, baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, pep flags, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo
Athletics conferencePacific League
MascotApaches
Information(626) 821-8370
Websitehttp://www.ausd.net/ahs

Arcadia High School is a part of the Arcadia Unified School District and is a four-year comprehensive secondary school located on a 40-acre (160,000 m2) site in Arcadia, California.

The high school was first opened in 1952. The ninth grade was added to Arcadia High School in 1994. The incoming freshman classes consist of students that feed in from Arcadia’s three middle schools: First Avenue Middle School, Richard Henry Dana Middle School, Foothills Middle School.[1]

Students at AHS are held to a very high standard, and the students are expected to excel at a competitive level academically over the other public high schools in the state of California, and Nationally. It is among the few public high schools in California to receive a distinguished GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10.[2] In 2010, BusinessWeek ranked Arcadia as the best place to raise children in the state of California for the second year in a row by, citing the city's school system as one of the factors, and because of its low crime and excellent schools.[3]

Arcadia High School has a teaching staff of 155. Six hold doctorate degrees and 82 have masters degrees.[4] The administrative staff consists of the principal, four assistant principals, and two deans of students. A staff of seven counselors hold masters degrees and Pupil Personnel Service Credentials, with three of the counselors licensed Marriage/Family/Child Counselors.[4] Arcadia High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and received another six-year accreditation in June 2010.[5]

New law

California Immunization Law requires all students 7th - 12th grade to show proof of having received the TdaP vaccine (whooping cough booster shot) on or after their 10th birthday, before starting school in August 2011. This law is mandatory and no school registration or school attendance will be allowed without Tdap documentation.[6]

History

Arcadia was originally a part of the Spanish Empire and part of a 21-square-mile (54 km2) area called Rancho Santa Anita.[7] In 1845, Hugo Reid, a pioneer from Scotland, bought Rancho Santa Anita from Governor Pio Pico.[8] Through the years, several early settlers occupied Rancho Santa Anita. In 1875, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin bought the land. The city of Arcadia's destiny was entwined with the fortunes of Baldwin, who expanded his property holdings to 63,000 acres (255 km2) acres in the San Gabriel Valley. Baldwin went on to oversee Arcadia's incorporation in 1903 and became the city's first mayor. The Arcadia School District came to be at the same time as the incorporation of Arcadia in 1903.[8]

In 1950, the high school students of Arcadia, Duarte, and Monrovia all attended the same high school, "Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School", more often called "MAD High". In 1951, with a fast growing population, a bond measure that called for the construction on a new high school in Arcadia was proposed. After its passage, workers began construction and Arcadia High welcomed its first freshman and sophomore classes in September 1952. However, many students had to attend their first year of high school at First Avenue, the oldest school in Arcadia, erected in 1903. The new buildings were built in the next two years and by the 1954 school year, all high school students in Arcadia were together at Arcadia High.[8]

About 1975, the closed-campus policy and the dress code were discontinued. Much of the change was brought about by the U.S. Supreme Court decision that stated, “A student doesn’t shed his rights at the school house door.” That year the student population of Arcadia High reached it highest population at about 3,300 students.[8] For the first time, students also were granted representation on the School Board. They had the right to elect a representative to attend School Board meetings and speak for the student body. The Student Council presided over most of the student body budget.[8]

In the 1980s, enrollment had decreased considerably to about 2,200 students, largely due to the aging demographic in Arcadia. Since then, enrollment has rapidly increased. In the 1990s, the demographics of the school dramatically changed.[8]

Notably, curriculum has also changed. Many subjects now taken in high school were formerly college level work. Junior high students are now accomplishing what was high school level work. Students are generally more mature and more knowledgeable of the world around them than they were decades earlier. By 1975, calculators and computers entered the classroom and were there to stay. Due to this and the widespread invasion of the media, the methods of presenting information to students has completely changed.[8]

Arcadia High has enjoyed its share of awards and recognition through the years. The Apache Marching Band has won more than 30 major championships and has marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade fourteen times. AHS athletics are among the best in Southern California in all sports for boys and girls on all levels. Most importantly, Arcadia High ranks, scholastically, in the 99th percentile of all California high schools.[8]

Arcadia United School District has compiled a comprehensive discipline procedures clearly covering all areas of high school student behaviors.[9]

Controversy

In the late 1990s, Native American activists threatened to sue Arcadia High School over its use of the "Apache" mascot. The high school's use of Native American symbols, including an "Apache Joe" mascot, the Pow Wow school newspaper, the "Apache News" television program, the "Smoke Signals" news bulletin boards, the school's auxiliary team's marching "Apache Princesses" and opposing football team fans' "Scalp the Apaches" signs were viewed by these Native American activists and many Arcadia community members as being "offensive". The school consulted with Native American groups and made some concessions but did not change the mascot. Some residents of Arcadia, who are former students at the school and have Native American ancestry, do not take offense to the school's use of these symbols. Arcadia High School has established a relationship with the White Mountain Apaches and sponsors an annual charity drive to aid them.[citation needed] Most Alumni do not see any point to the controversy.

Highlights

  • Newsweek ranks Arcadia High School 521 on its 2008 list of the United States' 1300 best public high schools [2]
  • 250 students compete on 8 state and national award-winning academic teams
  • The 1993 and 2010 national champions, the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Team
  • A national-placing Speech and Debate Team
  • A national-placing Quiz Bowl Team
  • A national-placing Ocean Sciences Bowl Team
  • A national-placing Science Bowl Team (4th place in 2010).
  • A state-placing Science Olympiad Team
  • A state-placing Mock Trial Team
  • Nationally recognized 386-member Apache Marching Band and Colorguard
  • 350-student Symphony Orchestra program
  • About 90 students involved in 3 groups of Percussion.
  • The Arcadia World (Varsity) Percussion Ensemble, the #1 ranked high school percussion ensemble in the nation, is an eight-time finalist in Winter Guard International.
  • A national-placing Colorguard team
  • Dance and theater production groups
  • 250-student Choral Department Program
  • Nationally acclaimed show choirs: Chanteurs and New Spirit
  • Arcadian Yearbook and Apache Pow Wow Newspaper Staff of over 115 students
  • Video Production and Apache News Team
  • One-fourth of the 4,000 students participate in the athletics teams and program
  • 48-member Pep Squad
  • #1 ranked Cross Country team in the nation.
  • 2010 Boys Cross Country state and national champions.
  • Future Business Leaders of America in the top 8 of the state of California.
  • National-winning Percussion emsemble, first in the nation.
  • Scenes in the movie Deal of a Lifetime were filmed on location at Arcadia High School [10]

Academics

Arcadia High students must complete 225 credits and pass math, reading, writing and swimming proficiency tests to graduate. Starting with the class of 2006, students are responsible for passing both parts of the California High School Exit Exam, English-language arts and mathematics, to receive their diploma.Arcadia High School offers a broad range of Advanced Placement, Honors level and college preparatory courses. Arcadia High has a total of 35 Advanced Placement/Honors courses.[4]

Arcadia High has 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses including: English language, English literature, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer science A, US History, US Government, Comparative Government, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Physics B, Physics C, Spanish language, Spanish literature, Chinese language, French language, Japanese language, Music Theory, and Art History. Nearly all honors and AP classes require admissions criteria, which may include entrance exams, teacher recommendations, and past performance history or audition.[4]

Arcadia High does not weigh GPA or rank its students.[4] Arcadia students have a high pass rate in the Advanced Placement exams and usually have at least 25 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists each year. The current senior class is represented by 38 National Merit Scholarship Finalists [4] and over 60 Commended students.[5] About 64% of AHS graduates choose to attend a four year College/University, with 32% choosing a Community College.[4]

Athletics

Arcadia High School is governed by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section as a member of the Pacific League. Its athletic mascot is the Apache and its colors are cardinal and gold. The Apache boys compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo. The Apache girls compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. There is also a pep squad with Song, Cheer, and Pep flags. Arcadia’s main rival is Crescenta Valley High School. Both teams often contend for the League Championship.

Arcadia teams often qualify for the CIF playoffs. In 2005, boys' soccer was a finalist in the Division III CIF playoffs. The girls track team is also one of the best teams in Southern California. They have only lost two dual meets in the last four years and regularly send athletes to CIF Finals.

Cross Country & Track and Field

The boys' cross country program is one of the most dominant teams in the state.[citation needed] Placing 3rd, 7th 8th, 4th, 3rd, 1st, and 2nd in the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 California Interscholastic Federation CIF-State Cross Country Championships in Division I, respectively. They are also led by one of the best high school coaches in the nation's history, Jim O'Brien.

In 2005 they qualified for the state championship for the first time in school history. They ended up placing 3rd overall and earning a spot on the state podium. A year later in 2006, Andrew Pilavjian was the 9th overall American at Nike Team Nationals.

In 2008, the team placed 4th in division one at the state championships and came in 2nd in the open race behind Kenya at Nike Team Nationals. They then placed 3rd at the state championship in 2009, losing by a narrow margin of just 12 points. In 2010, the team took first place at Nike Team Nationals and set a new record for the lowest scoring team in history. The team remained undefeated the entire season and broke the California state record. Arcadia senior cross country star Ammar Moussa was named the Gatorade boys' cross country runner of the year in California for a second-straight year in 2011. As defending state champions in 2011, Arcadia came up short of back-to-back state championships where they placed 2nd. They were led by individual state champion Sergio Gonzalez.[11]

The Boys Track team has also been successful from 2005, winning over 90% of its meets and 3 league championships in a row, (2005–07).In 2009, Arcadia track became the first team in the Pacific League to be undefeated on every level. The boys and girls frosh and boys and girls varsity were unbeaten. 44-0. 2009 was the 4th league championship for Arcadia varsity boys track in five years. The girls varsity has repeated as league champion for a third straight year (07-09). Coach Doug Speck was inducted into the Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame at Mt. San Antonio College in 2009.[12]

Arcadia is known for its Arcadia Invitational, the largest and most prestigious high school track meet in the nation.[13] The meet has witnessed many high school records being broken and has featured future Olympians Quincy Watts, Steve Lewis, Danny Everett, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Gail Devers, Mike Powell, Michael Marsh, Marion Jones, Allyson Felix, Monique Henderson, Deena Kastor, Michelle Perry, Alan Webb, and even Cathy Freeman from Australia.[14]

Academic Teams

Arcadia is also home to several powerhouse academic teams, including the Constitution Team, Quiz Bowl, Destination Imagination, Mathematics Team, Physics Team, Science Olympiad, National Science Bowl, National Ocean Sciences Bowl, Mock Trial Team, Speech and Debate Team, and Academic Decathlon.

Recent Achievements:

  • In 2011 Arcadia High School won first place at the National Science Bowl, JPL Regional Competition.[15]
  • In 2010 Arcadia High School won first place at the National Science Bowl, JPL Regional Competition.[16] and 4th place in the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl competition.[17]
  • In 2010 Arcadia High School won first place at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl Regional Competition[18] and 8th place in the 2010 National Ocean Sciences Bowl competition.[19]
  • In 2010 Arcadia High School won second place at the Los Angeles Regional Science Olympiad Competition[20] and won fourth place at the California State Science Olympiad Competition.[21]
  • In 2010 Arcadia High School Constitution Team earned the California State Championship title.[22] In April 2010, Arcadia High School's Constitution Team was declared the national champion of the We The People competition, an achievement that has been 17 years in the making.[23]

Academic Decathlon

Academic Decathlon is a very challenging academic competition. The final Academic Decathlon team consists of 9 members, with an Honors student division (3 members with GPAs 3.75 or higher), a Scholastic Division (3 members with GPAs between 3.0 – 3.75), and a Varsity Division (3 members with GPAs lower than 3.0). The team is open to as many as 25 students but only 9 are guaranteed a chance to compete. All members must compete in all ten areas. Knowledge in seven subjects are tested by multiple-choice examinations. One academic subject (varying each year) is deemed the Superquiz category which is a Jeopardy-style televised question-and-answer section.

Constitution Team

The Constitution Team (Government Team) is an academic team that participates in a national competition sponsored by the Center for Civic Education. The team has been to the state competition for 21 years in a row, and was state champions five times. The Arcadia High Constitution Team is composed of thirty seniors, selected through an intensive two-tier interview process. The team is partitioned into six separate units of five students, each focusing on a specific aspect of the United States Constitution and government. The team partakes in congressional hearing style competitions at the district, regional, state, and national levels. The team is led by their advisor Mr. Kevin Fox, and each of the unit coaches. Arcadia High School's 2009 - 2010 Government Team took the California State Title in February 2010. On Monday, April 26, 2010, the AHS Constitution Team was declared the 2010 national champions of the We The People competition. This is the second time the AHS Constitution Team has won the national title, the first being in 1993.[24] In 2012, the team won the second state championship in just three years.

Math Team

The Math Team is an award winning team that represents Arcadia High School at several math competitions throughout the year, including the Bay Math League (series of 4 after-school competitions) and Math Day at the Beach, at Cal State Long Beach. Math Team members also participate in several write-in competitions as individuals and as a team. Additionally, members have the opportunity to participate in several national contests including the American Mathematics Competitions and American Regions Mathematics League.

Ocean Sciences Bowl

The ocean sciences Bowl recruits ten members, five of whom will be participating in the regional competition in February at USC. There has traditionally been two teams, team A and team B, each of which consists of five members. The competition pits two teams against each other in timed rounds during which the teams are verbally asked a barrage of questions and are also given written team challenges to collectively answer questions. Questions focus on oceanography and associated sub-topics. The team has placed in the top three at the regional competition for the past few years.

Physics Team

The Physics Team prepares the members for the Physics Bowl Test Competition in April, created by the American Association of Physics Teachers, (AAPT) in which members will participate in Divisions 01 and 02. Physics Team also prepares students for the Physics Olympiad Test Competition held in March. Those who qualify in that competition will be admitted into the U.S. International Physics Olympiad, where they will compete worldwide. The first round is an intense competition against thousands of students from the United States. The team covers all topics of Physics at the Advanced Placement Level. Major topics the team stresses on include Newtonian mechanics, Electricity, Magnetism, Fluid mechanics, Thermal physics, Waves, Optics, Atomic physics, and Nuclear physics, all of which are part of the general knowledge of Newtonian and Quantum Physics. Arcadia High School has won 2nd place in the Nation and 1st place at State Level for Physics Bowl.

Quiz Bowl Team

Quiz Bowl is a fast-paced, Jeopardy-style competition in which 4-person teams compete by answering questions on multiple topics. Tryouts occur in September and team members are selected according to their performances. The team is usually made up of 20-30 members. The Quiz Bowl team has competed at the NAQT National Championships in the past five years, ranking 17th of over 170 teams in 2008, and remains a West Coast powerhouse at competitions. The Quiz Bowl Team qualified for the NAQT HS national championship tournament in 1998, 2002, and from 2006-2011. Two Arcadia teams made the playoffs in 2007, placing 33rd and 49th, respectively, in the nation; and one Arcadia team placed 17th in the nation in 2008. In 2011, two Arcadia teams again made the playoffs, placing 33rd and 128th, respectively.

Science Bowl Team

Science Bowl is a fast-paced, buzzer competition with questions classified into several topics. Since 2011, a new Energy topic has been added to the subject categories, and Earth Science and Astronomy have been combined into "Earth and Space Sciences". Questions are now asked in the categories entitled Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Energy, "Earth and Space Science" and "General Science". In late 2002, Computer Science was dropped as an official category, questions relating to computer science are now asked under Mathematics.[25]

Each Spring, the ten members of the next year's team are selected. Five members of the team compete in a regional competition every February at JPL. The Arcadia H.S. Science Bowl team won the JPL regional in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2010, and 2011 and thus qualified for the national tournament in each of those years. The team placed 4th in the national tournament following their 2010 JPL regional win.[17] The winning team of each regional Science Bowl competition is invited to participate in the National Science Bowl, all expenses paid. Each year, in late April or early May, the National Science Bowl competition is held in Washington, DC. Since the mid-nineties, the competition has been hosted by the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad recruits about twenty testing members, 15 of whom compete at regional and state competitions in March and April. The competition consists of 23 events that include written tests as well as hands-on laboratory exams, experimental design components, and building events, in which devices are constructed beforehand to complete given tasks. The events cover a wide spectrum of subjects as well as creative building events that include building bottle rockets, electric vehicles, bridges, etc. The team has done well at both the regional and state level, placing consistently in the top three in Los Angeles County, and the top five in Southern California.

Speech and Debate Team

The Speech and Debate Team, the largest quasi-academic team on campus with over 100 active members. It consistently ranks highly at the State Championship Tournament as well as being one of the strongest teams in the Southern California Debate League (one of the most competitive districts in California). Each year, Arcadia High School qualifies more than a dozen individual members to compete at the State Championship Tournament. Members of Speech & Debate choose one or two areas to specialize in, such as Impromptu, Thematic Interpretation, Original Advocacy, Humorous Interpretation, and Team Debate. Speech and Debate members must prepare material for a minimum of three tournaments per semester. The Arcadia High School Speech & Debate team, aside from normal competitions in the spring and fall, also puts on “Speech Follies” in March, a yearly showcase of their speeches.

Extracurricular activities

Choir

Arcadia High School has two show choirs: New Spirit, an all-girls' show choir, and Chanteurs, a mixed show choir. Chanteurs and New Spirit have been around for 59 and 35 years, respectively, as of 2011. Both groups have earned the highest honors in competitions throughout Southern California, maintaining its rank as two of the top show choirs in its years running. They also perform numerous shows around the community during Christmas time. Fundraisers for both groups include selling cheesecakes, spookbusters (cleanup insurance for trashed yards during Halloween), and tickets to various concerts such as the Madrigal dinner.

The choral program also includes a Concert Choir, which consists of male and female choral singers performing classical pieces, and a Treble Choir, which consists of lower classmen female singers learning to sing in a choir setting. The Arcadia High School choral department also hosts the annual Pow Wow Show Choir Invitational. The Arcadia Choral Department was directed by Mr. Rolland Maxson, the director for more than 20 years, who retired in 2010.

Colorguard

Arcadia's Colorguard competes at the World Class level, the scholastic A level, and the Intermediate A levels. At nationals Arcadia World Guard has placed 5th in 2005, and 3rd in 2006 and 2007. Its World Guard has won gold at Southern California Championships numerous times. The band has been selected to perform again in the 2012 New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Concert Band

Concert Band is divided into three levels: Band I, Band II, and Band III. Band I consists of freshman. Band II is divided into two classes due to its size: Brass and Woodwinds, and consists of all players who are not freshmen. Band III is a selective Concert Band, with an audition requirement to enter.

Orchestra

The orchestra has competed in the Heritage Festivals in Orlando, San Francisco and San Diego and winning first place in all three divisions for their three orchestras. The orchestra, like the Concert Band, is divided into three levels: Orchestra I, Orchestra II, and Orchestra III. Orchestra III has an annual audition process, selecting those who qualify for next years group.

Instrumental Music

The instrumental music department has a strong music program from the middle schools. The music department consists of groups such as the Marching Band, Orchestra, Color Guard, Open and World Percussion.

The Marching Band is one of the largest, oldest, and most prestigious bands in California with over 300 members. The Arcadia Apache Marching Band consists of the band, the color guard and the percussion. The band has marched in the Rose Parade in nearby Pasadena fourteen times, most recently in 2008. The band will march in the Rose Parade again in 2012. They have also marched in such diverse venues as the Gator Bowl parade and the 44th Presidential Inaugural Parade. Arcadia has held the annual Arcadia Festival of Bands since 1954. In the 2010-2011 year, the Apache marching band participated in a field and street competition in the city of Napa and at James Logan High School in Union City, in Northern California.

Performing arts

Arcadia maintains a large and diverse performing arts program. It has a drama program, a dance/prop production program (Colorguard) who has placed third in the nation twice, a dance program, an advanced dance company (Orchesis), four choirs and a large instrumental music program. The Arcadia High School Theatre Department won first place in the High School Intermediate Category for its ensemble performance of Oklahoma!. Competing with schools from all over the United States, they secured the first place trophy in February 2012.[26]

Winter Percussion Ensemble

During the year's second semester, Arcadia's three percussion ensembles participate in indoor competitions organized by the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA). The program has one ensemble participate in each of the three divisions: Scholastic A, Scholastic Open, and Scholastic World, comparative to beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, respectively. Furthermore, the Scholastic World line travels to Dayton, Ohio in April to compete in the Winterguard International Percussion Championships. The Scholastic World Division ensemble placed 7th at WGI Championships in 2010.

AHS' Varsity Percussion Scholastic World Division Ensemble traveled to Dayton, OH on April 13–17, 2011 to perform in the Winterguard International (WGI) worldwide championships.The Ensemble competes in the “World Division”- the highest level of competition for High school groups. After performances in the preliminaries and finals rounds, the Arcadia High School Percussion Ensemble was awarded the Gold medal and named the National Champions with a score of 97.525.[1][27] All three ensembles are directed by Kevin Sherrill with the help of Jeff Doolittle.

ICC Charted Clubs

Arcadia High has many clubs governed by the associated student body, including Pre-Med Club, Physics Club, Art Club, Philosophy Club, Film Club, Gay Straight Alliance, A.L.L.I.E.S. Christian Club, Chinese Club, Korean Culture Club, Kare 4 Kids Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Junior State of America, Young Republicans of America, Key Club, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Interact Club, Leo Club, Students Promoting Literacy Club, French Club, Chemistry Club, Writer's Bloc, Photography Club, Magic Tricks Club, S.I.G.N. (speaking in gestures naturally) club, India Club and Astronomy Club.

A.L.L.I.E.S.

The purpose of the ministry of ALLIES is to serve and glorify the Lord by providing a meeting place where interested students can gather to learn about and worship. Fellowship is also encouraged with others regardless of race, gender, denomination, or any other means of discrimination. The organization is dedicated to strengthening older Christians and encouraging new Christians in an environment of friendliness and love. ALLIES is committed to helping the community and most importantly, the school. "[They] got love in [their] club."

Amnesty International

Amnesty International seeks to bring to Arcadia High awareness of human rights concerns around the world. They hold discussions and invite speakers on topics from the genocide in Darfur to Guantanamo Bay and the morality/immorality of the death penalty. Occasionally, members petition government leaders concerning major issues, as a method of actively expressing their perspectives in the world beyond the school's campus. Amnesty also participates in events supporting humanitarian causes, both officially (e.g. Relay for Life) and unofficially (e.g. writing Christmas cards to troops stationed abroad). The club tries to connect students to the world outside of our school, and broaden views to causes greater than their own.

Campus Environmental Club

Campus Environmentalist Club is an organization where environmentally conscious students can gather to do something about their interests. The club organizes and participates in various activities on and off campus throughout the year, most notably the beach cleanups in the spring. Campus Environmentalist is also dedicated to spreading awareness and promoting responsibility to protect our planet.

Future Business Leaders of America

Future Business Leaders of America has been one of the most successful clubs at Arcadia High School. In the 2006-2007 school year, FBLA had more than 150 paid members. The 2006-2007 school year they placed 2nd in sweepstakes during Gold Coast Section Conference and 7th in sweepstakes at the California State Leadership Conference. In 2008-2009, they reorganized the club and once again placed 2nd at Section Conference and had many state ranking competitors. In the 2010 - 2011 school year, they placed 3rd in sweepstakes at Section Conference, placed 8th in sweepstakes at the State Conference, received an award for the second largest increase in number of members in California, and sent five qualifiers to National Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Gay Straight Alliance

Founded in 1999, Arcadia High School's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) seeks to inform the wider community about LGBTQI issues (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer and Intersex). Arcadia High School has an incredibly diverse student population. The work of GSA to increase knowledge and combat ignorance is of vital interest to the student body.

Hope Can Cure Cancer

Arcadia High School's Hope Can Cure Cancer Club is a group of students devoted to cancer awareness. It was founded by Diana Chao in 2000. HCCC works to raise the funds needed for cancer research. HCCC is associated with many cancer related organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and City of Hope. The club also makes efforts to directly bring comfort to cancer patients, through caroling or making greeting cards.

Interact Club

Interact Club is sponsored by Rotary International Arcadia. In 2007, the club was involved in helping third world countries by sponsoring money to build water wells. Interact has helped a village in Belur, India raising over $1200 to build a well. In 2007, Interact and the Arcadia High School Student Body donated over $1700 to an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico to fund for a solar panel heater for the orphanage. In 2008, the club raised over $1700 again to donate to the HIS Foundation to eradicate polio in the rest of the world.

Key Club

Key Club is a successful organization at Arcadia High School. Like FBLA it is part of a national organization which involves interacting with other schools and large community service projects around the county.

Model United Nations

While similar to other service clubs, the distinguishing feature of Model United Nations is that it provides students opportunities to experience and participate in simulations of United Nations conferences. Each student participating in Model UN selects a country to research. They investigate any issues that the country may currently be facing, and draw possible solutions, and ultimately present their case at a conference as a delegate of their country. Conferences, which consists of public speaking, debates, negotiations, analysis, and active listening, require proficient communication skills. Many conferences simulate actual UN organizations such as the General Assembly, Security Council, United Nations Children's Funds, and the Human Rights Council. In addition, as a club, they hold bonding events and other fun events, such as FUNdraisers throughout the year.

S.I.G.N. Club

The S.I.G.N. Club was formed to promote cultural awareness of the Deaf Community, and to create spaces where hearing students can gather and learn from each other, increasing their skills in ASL and their knowledge of Deaf culture. It is not offered as a foreign language at AHS. Members meet periodically to not only learn ASL, but to also understand the deaf culture as a whole.

Student Sierra Club

The Student Sierra Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring, learning about, and respecting the environment. Through monthly hikes in the mountains, cleanups at the local beaches, discussions during club meetings, and other interesting events, its members learn to respect and care for nature. Originally started by John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club aims to protect the wilderness and natural world. The Arcadia High School Student Sierra Club aims to embody the goals of John Muir by teaching students about the consequences of yesterday, how they can solve environmental issues today, and the possibility of a cleaner, greener future. They stand for the same idea and goal that millions of people across the world stand for: a more environmentally friendly future for our planet and for our kids.

The Young Republican's Club

The Young Republican's Club is a group that represents the interests of conservative individuals on campus that would like to participate in the political system. Topics being discussed have to do with National, State, and municipal governments. This club also participates in the local and state election process by volunteering for various republican candidates. Discussion on political topics is held every week. Discussion ranges from current legislation to talks with representatives of various groups such as veteran of Vietnam.

Journalism

  • Newspaper: "The Apache Pow Wow" [3]
  • Video: "Apache News"
  • Yearbook: "The Arcadian"

Alma mater

Hail Alma Mater the Cardinal and Gold
We Sing of Thee Arcadia thy Spirit Strong and Bold
Far 'cross the land, our Voices Raised on High
All Hail Apache Sons and Daughters
All Hail All Hail

Construction

A $218 million bond measure was passed on the November 7, 2006 election ballot for the purpose of upgrading and repairing our schools. A large part of local property taxes are absorbed by the state, and Arcadia is the lowest funded unified school district in Los Angeles County.[28] A Student Service Center, which provides a "front door" to the high School on Campus Drive. A new Science Center and Student Service Center. The two story structure includes general and special education classrooms, three computer labs, television studio, graphic design and digital photography classrooms, and the high school’s career center and health, counseling and administrative offices. The brick and glass exterior finish visibly blends with other elements of the campus. Ground was broken in the summer of 2008.[28]

The Science Center is to be located on the south side of the campus on Duarte Road. The two-story center includes chemistry labs with preparation areas and collegiate designed biology and physics classrooms separated by lecture rooms.[28]

The 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) Arcadia High School Performing Arts Center will anchor the campus at the northwest corner. The center will have ground level and mezzanine seating for 1200, the stage will accommodate 150 musicians and the facility will have state-of-the-art acoustics. The building will contain a small theater, orchestra and dance rooms and an internal courtyard. The Performing Arts Center construction began in 2010. [28] The "world class" facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012. "This will be the first venue of its kind for the district and the community," said district Superintendent Joel Shawn.[29]

Rose Parade achievements

Arcadia High School is known to have several alumni join the ranks of the Rose Court, seven of which have been Queens.

  • Pamela Tedesco graduated from Arcadia High School in 1968. She was chosen Rose Queen in 1970 for the

Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California.

  • Linda Deal reigned as Rose Princess 1980. (Her three brothers were all Eagle Scouts and carried banners in the Rose Parade). In 1939, Linda's mother, Rosemary Kuchenski (Deal), rode the American Legion Float when Shirley Temple was the Grand Marshall for the first time.
  • In 1986, April Lake reigned as a rose princess.
  • Sandra Waltrip and Diane Welch reigned as two of the princesses in 1987.
  • Kristin Leigh Harris & Julie Jeanne Myers were chosen as back-to-back Rose Queens for 1987 and 1988.
  • Marisa Stephenson, Princess in 1989.
  • Erica Brynes, the 76th Tournament of Roses Queen in 1994.
  • Christina Farrell '99, the 81st Rose Queen in 1999. Chaitali Gala and Olivia Wilson were princesses the same year.
  • Crystal Uribe and Nini Jiang, Princesses for 2001
  • Shannon Stockdale and Stephanie Valenzuela, princesses in 2002.
  • Erinne LaBrie, princess in 2003.
  • Alyssa Jones '06 princess, 2006.
  • Dusty Gibbs, 90th Rose Queen and reigned over the 119th Rose Parade and 94th Rose Bowl Game in 2008.
  • Courtney Chou Lee, 91st Rose Queen, giving Arcadia back to back Rose Queens in 2008 & 2009
  • Lauren Valenzuela, princess 2009.
  • June Ko was crowned a rose princess 2010.
  • Tatyane Barrios, rose princess 2011.
  • The Arcadia High School Marching Band has marched in the Rose Parade 14 times.

Notable alumni or former students

References

  1. ^ a b http://ahs.ausd.net/
  2. ^ http://www.greatschools.org/california/arcadia/1464-Arcadia-High-School/
  3. ^ "Best Places to Raise Your Kids: 2010: Best Place to Raise Your Kids: California – BusinessWeek". Images.businessweek.com. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g http://www.ausd.k12.ca.us/ahs/Counseling/AHSDocs/Profile.htm
  5. ^ a b http://district.ausd.net/docs/ahs_profile_06-07.pdf
  6. ^ http://site.ausd.net/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=234171&sessionid=ceeff98e7ab744f08ae8096ad92dbe6e
  7. ^ http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/index.asp?page=1102
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h http://www.arcadiaapaches.com/memories/teachers/hall_of_fame_cordano.htm
  9. ^ https://applications.ausd.net/antp/Assets/Documents/Matrix_EN_AHS.pdf
  10. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0175555/
  11. ^ a b http://athletics.ahs.ausd.net/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?&gid=1593906&sessionid=c22649c1f25a63f090c6e005d7f8e8b8&__utma=53895799.1562378135.1305182191.1305182191.1305186012.2&__utmc=53895799&__utmz=53895799.1305187409.2.3.utmcsr%3Dgoogle%7Cutmccn%3D%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd%3Dorganic%7Cutmctr%3Darcadia+high+school&__utmb=53895799.8.10.1305186012&PHPSESSID=8e38c277192de83110536d03108eef1b
  12. ^ http://events.mtsac.edu/ccinvite/halloffame.htm
  13. ^ http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=38248.html
  14. ^ Arcadia Invitational
  15. ^ Arcadia High School Wins Regional Science Bowl, retrieved January 24, 2011
  16. ^ National Science Bowl, JPL Regional Competition - February 20, 2010, retrieved April 24, 2010
  17. ^ a b First Lady Michelle Obama Asks Bonus Questions and Speaks at the Awards Ceremony, retrieved May 3, 2010
  18. ^ National Ocean Sciences Bowl Regional Competition - March, 6, 2010., retrieved April 24, 2010
  19. ^ Results for 2010 NOSB Competitions. (PDF), retrieved May 1, 2010
  20. ^ Los Angeles County Science Olympiad Team Scores, retrieved April 24, 2010
  21. ^ Southern California State Science Olympiad Scores, retrieved April 24, 2010
  22. ^ "Arcadia Constitution team makes it to national competition in Washington D.C.", Pasadena Star-News, retrieved April 24, 2010
  23. ^ Center for Civic Education: National Winners' Awards., retrieved May 1, 2010
  24. ^ http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr10/yr10rel39.asp
  25. ^ http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nsb/pdf/2011_NSB_Rules_Final.pdf
  26. ^ http://monroviaweekly.com/latest-news/arcadia-high-tops-the-nation-with-its-first-place-win-at-the-musical-theatre-competition-of-america/
  27. ^ http://wgi.org/events/static_scores/2011/scores_2011_Percussion_World_Class_Finals.php
  28. ^ a b c d http://district.ausd.net/home/index.asp?page=365
  29. ^ http://www.sgvtribune.com/rss/ci_18541625?source=rss
  30. ^ Bruce Bochte Statistics - The Baseball Cube
  31. ^ http://www.arcadiaapaches.com/memories/memorial/memorial.htm
  32. ^ http://www.classmates.com/directory/public/memberprofile/list.htm?regId=226806471
  33. ^ http://blog.usbaseballacademy.com/blog/baseball-camp-2/4-former-mlb-players-got-their-start-at-los-angeles-area-arcadia-high-school
  34. ^ Steve Kemp Statistics - The Baseball Cube
  35. ^ http://www.arcadiaapaches.com/memories/rock_history/index.htm
  36. ^ Mark Smith Statistics - The Baseball Cube
  37. ^ http://www.arcadiaapaches.com/memories/rock_history/vanhalen_story.htm
  38. ^ Interview with the $15 Million Blogger
  39. ^ [1]

34°07′50″N 118°02′13″W / 34.130563°N 118.036852°W / 34.130563; -118.036852

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