Leigh High School

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. [http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/ap/distingcounty.asp?county=43&submit1=Submit] As of 2005, the enrollment at the school was 1729 students. The school colors are gold (yellow) and pine green. The mascot is the longhorn.

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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.Fact|date=May 2007 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.Fact|date=May 2007

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, 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 a winter guard and winter percussion, the former 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.

Leigh High School's Marching Band

Leigh High School's marching band is one of the program'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 competitions in the fall, along with the Northern 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 an at school band camp that lasts six hours or more a day for a week and a three day weekend away at a camp.The marching band shows usually consist of an intro, an opener, a ballad, and a closer. Past show themes include "The Thirteenth Hour","October Skies", "Angels & Demons", "Pirates of the Caribbean", and "Spirited Away" to name a few. In addition to a band director, the Leigh Marching Band is led by student captains, student section leaders, and student field staff leaders. As of the 2008/2009 school year, the music program's parent association has changed it's original name, Instrumental Music Parent's Association, to Performing Arts Parent's Association, due to the combination of Leigh High School's choir and band programs.

chool 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. 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.

In 2008, Leigh's Varsity Field Hockey team had quite the winning streak. They eventually made it to CCS.

chool Principals

As of 2007, the current principal is Donna Hope.
* Stewart Fowler 1962–1972
* George Miskulin 1972–1986
* Robert Keeler 1986–1988
* Donna Newberry 1988–1991
* James Russell 1991–2001
* Rick Costanzo 2001–2006
* Donna Hope 2006–present

Notable Alumni

* Steve Caballero, Professional Skateboarder.
* Ray Barbee, Professional Skateboarder.
* Ken Caminiti, NCAA All-American in Baseball, San Jose State. Former major league baseball player with the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres
* Nick 13, Guitarist, Vocalist for Tiger Army
* Eric Kretz, Drummer, Stone Temple Pilots
* Jason Windsor, pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
* Greg Sabia, Facebook Developer, Sabia Creative Designs
* John Minardi, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
* Kit Lathrop, Former NFL Lineman, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Washington Redskins
* Randy Stonehill, Christian music singer-songwriter
* Patrick Simmons, singer, songwriter, & guitarist with The Doobie Brothers
* Susan Atkins, convicted murderer and Manson family member (attended but did not graduate)
* Jason Sutter, Drummer, Smash Mouth
* Joe Murray, Cartoonist
* A. J. Allmendinger, professional racecar driver
* Jim Wahler, Former Defensive Lineman, Washington Redskins
* Jordan Dunn, Richard Edwards [http://www.fearedandloathed.com] [http://www.basslinevitals.com] , Isaac Fischer [http://www.basslinevitals.com] [http://www.miznoma.com] , Sam Fischer [http://www.basslinevitals.com] [http://www.miznoma.com] , Pat O'Connor, formed Upstart crow ( [http://www.upstartcrowmusic.com Official Site] )
* Kelly Gray, Major League Soccer Player, San Jose Earthquakes
* Leland Wilcox, Chief of Staff, Councilmember Nancy Pyle, City of San Jose, District 10

References

* Miskulin, George F. "A History of The Campbell Union High School District (1900-1988)". pp. 25-26.
* http://www.brandonmcfarland.com/McFarland2007Resume.pdf

ee also

*Santa Clara County high schools

External links

* [http://leigh.cuhsd.org/ Leigh High School website]
* [http://www.leighathletics.com/ Leigh High School Athletics]
* [http://www.leighband.org/ Leigh High School Instrumental Music Program (IMPA)]