San Marcos High School is an American public high school located in a suburban area two miles from the city of Santa Barbara, California. Accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the school was named a California Distinguished School in 1994 and 2005, and a Gold Ribbon School in 2015. The school caters for a significant number of students from first generation and non-English speaking families.
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History
San Marcos High School was established in 1958.
Organization and administration
The school principal is Ed Behrens. The school employs c.90 teachers, 6 counselors, and 5 administrators.
The Student body
The school caters for around 2,100 ninth through twelfth grade students of differing economic and ethnic backgrounds
49.9% of the student body is classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged, 22.1% as English Learners and 12.6% as Students with Disabilities. Exit survey results from the Class of 2014 indicated that 93% of graduates will continue their education, with approximately 39% of those graduates attending a 4-year institution, and 54% attending a 2-year institution.
Curriculum
San Marcos operates on a 4 X 4 Block Schedule, with four terms per year. Each class period is approximately 90 minutes in length. A full schedule is considered three classes per term. Final grades and credits are given each term, which equates to a semester under other systems. In order to graduate, students are required to complete a minimum of 220 units/credits and to pass the California High School Exit Examination. In addition to these academic requirements, all students are required to complete 60 hours of community service for graduation.
Weighted grades are given in Honors, AP and Dual Enrollment courses, the most rigorous classes offered at the school. Honors classes are offered in core courses in grades 9-11. AP courses are taken primarily by juniors and seniors. AP course offerings include American Government, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, French, Latin, Psychology, Physics, Studio Art, U.S. History and World History. English, Calculus, Statistics, Spanish Language, Environmental Horticulture, Latin, Professional Development, Marketing (Entrepreneurship) and Auto classes are also offered on campus as Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) dual enrollment courses. College credit and a weighted grade are given to students who successfully complete these courses. Students may also complete required coursework through Dual Enrollment courses on the SBCC campus.
San Marcos also offers several well-respected Academy programs. Students enrolled in the Health Careers Academy take a core health class followed by a curriculum of related Santa Barbara City College classes taught on campus. The Accelerated Academic Program for Leadership and Enrichment (AAPLE) is a program designed to offer the most rigorous 4 year academic pathway while simultaneously providing hands-on, enrichment opportunities for a group of the highest achieving students. The Entrepreneurship Academy is a three-year program that provides students who wish to start their own business with the necessary knowledge and skills in a course that includes experience in local business community partnerships and student run business ventures. 2014 saw the start of a Culinary Program. A staffed Career Center offers guidance programs including The Majors Program, job shadowing and internships. All San Marcos students are encouraged to attend college and are counseled to follow a college preparatory track that will fulfill the course requirements for admission to the University of California system. Students are required to complete a 10-year Plan, focusing on college and career goals.
Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities
San Marcos has numerous student-led clubs and organizations, including 56 male and female interscholastic sports teams. The school is a CIF Division II school and a member of the Channel League. Over the years, the school has won many league and CIF championships. Programs at San Marcos include the nationally recognized Performing Arts Program that includes theater, instrumental and vocal music groups. The school fields two successful Mock Trial teams that have been successful at county and state level. A school newspaper is published ten times a year by students in the journalism class and the yearbook, the "Crown and Sceptre" is published annually. The video production class produces daily features and an award-winning weekly 10-minute news and entertainment program. All students are required to participate in two years of directed school activity such as athletics, drama, band, choir, or physical education. Honor societies include the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) and National Honor Society (NHS).
Alma mater
Written by Alan Lee Brackett, winner of contest for writing new alma mater in 1961.
Oh, San Marcos, Alma Mater, we shall sing our praise to you,
We shall honor your fair colors, Scarlet red and Royal blue,
We shall cherish all our memories and ever faithful be
As we honor thee San Marcos, Alma Mater, hail to thee.
Distinctions
San Marcos was named a California Distinguished School in 2005. The school has received awards and distinctions in many fields, including:
- The Royals Marching Band - 1st at the SCSBOA 1A championships in 2008.
- The San Marcos dance team, the Marquettes - national champions.
- The mock trial team - state champions
- The school newspaper, The King's Page - First Place with Special Merit in the American Scholastic Press Association newspaper contest in 2002 - 2003.
- The Academic Decathlon team - county champions .
- The Varsity Girls Soccer Team - CIF, City, and Channel League Champions.
- The Golf program - multiple CIF championships.
- The San Marcos Madrigal Singers - one of four groups accepted to perform in the Carnegie Hall National Choral Festival.
- The San Marcos varsity football team - City Champions of Santa Barbara.
Charity work
Students in the AP Economics classes have put on the annual "Kids Helping Kids event," which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities. Celebrities, bands, artists, etc. contribute and donate to this event, held at the Granada Theater.
Mascot/Colors
The mascot is the Royal - a lion wearing a cape and crown The colors are royal blue and scarlet red
Notable alumni
- Tariqh Akoni, professional guitarist and composer, Musical Director for Josh Groban
- Eric Anzalone, Member of the Village People Singer/Actor/Author
- Colleen Ballinger, comedian, singer, internet personality
- Mark W. Lee, American author
- Laura Bialis, filmmaker
- Brook Billings, volleyball player
- Sue DiCicco, artist
- Adam Duvendeck, Olympic cyclist
- Anthony Edwards, actor
- Dax Holdren, volleyball player
- Cady Huffman, actress
- Kathy Ireland, model, actress
- James Kiffe, professional soccer player
- John La Puma, Internist, professionally trained chef, and author
- Chuck Liddell, wrestler and football player; retired professional MMA fighter, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and UFC Hall of Fame member
- Alex Mack, American football player
- Randolph Mantooth, actor
- Robert C. Orr, Assistant-Secretary General, United Nations
- Steve Pate, professional golfer
- Glen Phillips, lead singer and songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket
- Todd Nichols, guitarist for Toad the Wet Sprocket
- Dean Dinning, bassist for Toad the Wet Sprocket
- Tom Rainey, professional drummer
- Sam Randolph, professional golfer
- Brandon Richards National High School Recordholder in the Pole Vault 18'2"
- Todd Rogers, Olympic volleyball player
- Terry Schroeder, Head coach of the USA National Water Polo Team
- Eric Stoltz, actor
- Alan Baltes, actor
- Bradlee Van Pelt, professional football player
- Gary Villamor, author
- Mark Warkentin, Olympic swimmer
- David Woodard, businessman
- Gary Woods, Professional Baseball player
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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