Granada High School (California)

Infobox School


name=Granada High School
type=Public
location=400 Wall Street
Livermore, CA
information=[phone]
established=1963
grades=9-12
enrollment=2,214
faculty=82
principal=Chris VanSchaack
mascot=Matadors
colors=Black and gold color box|blackcolor box|gold
district=Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
website= [http://granadahigh.com/ granadahigh.com]

Granada High School is a high school located in Livermore, California. Established in 1963, it is part of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD). Granada was established as the town's second public high school in response to significant population growth in the 1960s. Livermore High School was the first high school in Livermore, and rivals Granada. The name is a Spanish word meaning pomegranate. The school's official newspaper was "El Toro" and now is called "The Pomegranate." The school mascot is a matador.

Academics

Granada High School's academic objective is to transform every student into an active learner. [cite web
last = Van Schaack
first = Chris
title = Principal's Message
publisher = Granada High School
url = http://www.granadahigh.com/pages/PROGRAM/about.html
accessdate = 2007-09-06 ] The goal is achieved partially through the use of a block-style scheduling system in which students may construct and arrange their blocks as they choose. This differs from the traditional system in that students may select as many as six full-sized blocks at the beginning of the year, but can only have three of them at once with each class 'block' being twice the length of the tradition period. Halfway through the school year, students will swap blocks. An optional seventh block is available upon request, and if given to students, may or may not be held all year long. If it is an academic class it will most likely be one semester but if it is music class like band, orchestra, or choir it is more likely to be a year long. Note that Granada was subject of a unique program in the late sixties through the 1970s entitled TUFOLD or Time Utilization for Optimum Learning Development.

The school has recently increased the length of all classes and restricted the number of courses each student can take per year to seven. An additional advisory period, frequently referred to as seminar, has also been added as a requirement for all students.

However, when the new school year starts in 2008, the schedule will change from the block system into the trimester system. The classes as a result will be shorter, and each trimester will be 12 weeks long rather than the 9 weeks of the block system. The schedule was changed to allow for more opportunities for students to take elective courses; for more flexibility in meeting student scheduling needs (students can attend periods 1-5, 2-5, or 1-4), depending on their post-high school goals and extracurricular commitment; to allow for slower pacing in math classes; and to shorten class periods from 90 minutes to 70 minutes.

Athletics

Granada High School has teams in 15 sports: Swimming, Diving, Track, Waterpolo, Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Lacrosse, and Wrestling. These teams compete in the North Coast Section CIF (NCS) and East Bay Athletic League (EBAL).

The lacrosse team is relatively new to the school. It was created in 2005, as a club team. In the spring of 2007, the program made the transition to an EBAL team. During their first season the boy's team beat Livermore High School twice, including a shutout in the second game. The girl's lacrosse team has been very successful with many wins including several wins against Livermore High School.

Recently, their football team has taken on the new era of the Tim Silva Era, a new coach to the team and U.S. History teacher, Silva has led the varsity to a 61-0 victory versus Irvington High School and a 19-6 victory for the junior varsity. Despite this success, they could not defeat Livermore High School who handed them another EBAL defeat in 2008 by a score of 24-17. Unfortunately this was Livermore High School's only win of the season.

tudent Life

With Spirit Weeks occurring every season to unite the student body, Granada's massive student body has plenty activities to do. From common clubs such as CSF, the California Scholarship Federation, to not-so common clubs like STAR, Students Talking About Respect, there are opportunities for every student available. In the beginning of the year, students participate in Homecoming, which is not just a football game and a dance, but also Clash of the Classes (a spirit competition), the Homecoming Carnival, rallies, and skits, which occur throughout the week.Only Seniors are allowed to participate in the Off-Campus Lunch program, allowing them to go to nearby fast food restaurants and grocery stores. Stix Chinese Food is provided on-campus along with basic lunch food. During lunch in the Quad, there is almost always an activity going on and music is played almost every Friday.

Notable alumni

*Erick Threets, Relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants (MLB). [ [http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=408069 The Official Site of The San Francisco Giants: Team: Player Information ] ]

*Mark Davis, Former Major League pitcher. 1989 National League Cy Young Award winner.

*Jack Trudeau, Former professional American football player who was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 213 lbs. quarterback from the University of Illinois, Trudeau played in 10 NFL seasons from 1986-1995.

ee also

*Alameda County high schools

References

External links

* [http://www.granadahigh.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.livermoreschools.com/ Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District]