Acalanes High School

Infobox School
name =Acalanes High School


caption =
established =
type =Public
affiliation =
district =
grades =
president =
principal =John Nickerson
head of school =
dean =
faculty =
staff =
students =1,389
enrollment =
athletics =
conference =
colors =Blue and White
mascot =Dons
free_label =Fax Number
free_text =[phone]
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location =1200 Pleasant Hill Road
Lafayette, CA 94549
information =[phone]
website =http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/ahs

Acalanes High School was the first of several high schools in the Acalanes Union High School District in Lafayette, California. It was bult in 1940 on what was then a tomato field. Lafayette businessman M.H. Stanley suggested the name "Acalanes," likely after a local Native American tribe called AKLAN. The first graduating class of 1941 selected the school colors of blue and white and the mascot, the Don (a Spanish name for a person of high importance).

Academics

Acalanes offers a diverse course selection. Among the electives offered are digital design, graphic arts, video production, drama, photography, Mandarin (Chinese), Spanish, French, chorus, band, and orchestra.

Acalanes academic clubs regularly participate in Bay Area quiz bowl tournaments, including BAAL (Bay Area Academic League). There are also Model UN and Academic Decathlon programs. The Acalanes Academic Decathlon team recently won the Contra Costa regional meet in 2007.

ports

Acalanes Lacrosse refers to the men's lacrosse team that represents Acalanes High School of Lafayette, California. Acalanes Lacrosse is the most premier lacrosse team in the Lamorinda area.

They are coached by Brent Ringwood, and their assistant coach is Kelly Quinn. Since their inauguration in 2001, Acalanes Lacrosse hasn't won any league titles. They compete in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League in the North Coast Section of CIF.

On March 4, 2008, the Men's Varsity Acalanes Lacrosse team achieved their highest national ranking ever. After defeating University High School, the Varsity Men's Acalanes Lacrosse team was ranked Number One in the nation by laxpower.com.

chool Life

The school paper, "Blueprint", is issued every three weeks, and the yearbook is the AKLAN. The leadership class runs a student body website, asbdons.org, and issues a monthly communications video with skits announcing upcoming events. On November 13, 2006, a special video was shown as a kick-off to Acalanes diversity week, and featured a short film, Silhouettes, directed by an Acalanes student. Also screened was the documentary, Invisible Children. Popular events during the school year include concerts and plays, games, rallies, and weekly activities sponsored by the leadership class.

Facilities

Students are issued half-height lockers. The school's library is open from 7:30 AM to 6 PM daily, with the exception of an 8:40 AM opening on Wednesdays. The campus includes a track, several fields, a pool, two gyms, weight room, two quads, and a performing arts center.

Media Coverage

*Acalanes was in the news in 2006 because of the incarceration of Scott Dyleski, the teenager convicted in the murder of Pamela Vitale.
*In 1998, 'N Sync performed for the students of Acalanes.

Notable alumni

*Norm Van Brocklin - Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback.
*Philip M. Condit - Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing company.
*Will Forte - American actor, writer, and comedian best known for appearing on the television show Saturday Night Live.
*Peter Hayes – A member of the popular band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

External links

*http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/ahs
*http://www.acalanesboosters.com/
*http://www.asbdons.org
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&sll=37.904395,-122.097008&sspn=0.005714,0.006974&q=Acalanes+Union+High&ie=UTF8&z=17&t=k&om=1 Google Maps]
* [http://www.wolftimefilms.com/silhouettes_download.html Silhouettes]
* [http://www.invisiblechildren.com Invisible Children]