Helix High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Helix High School
native_name =
logo =
motto = "Once a Scot, always a Scot"
established = 1952
city = La Mesa
state = California 91941
province =
country = USA
campus =
type = Public comprehensive secondary
affiliation =
affiliations =
president =
principal = Douglas D. Smith

rector =
dean =
founder =
chaplain =
chairman =
head_label =
head =
faculty =
students =
enrollment = 2,350
enrolment =
grades = 9-12
address = 7323 University Avenue
district = Grossmont Union High School District
oversight =
accreditation =
mascot = Scottish terrier
colors = Green, grey, black, and white
colours =
newspaper = "Highland Fing"
yearbook = "Tartar"
free_label_1 = Nickname
free_1 = Highlanders
free_label_2 = Student body
free_2 = Jailbait
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = [http://www.helixcharter.net Helix High School] and [helix.groupfusion.net]
footnotes =
picture =

Helix High School (HHS), in La Mesa, California, is a charter high school built in 1952. It received its charter in 1998. Part of the Grossmont Union High School District, it serves a low to mid-level socioeconomic community and has a student body of approximately 2,350 pupils. Helix serves parts of La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley; however, as a charter school, all high school students in the state of California are eligible to attend.

Helix High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a 2001 California Distinguished School.

In 2004, two of the five finalists for the most prestigious individual honor in college football, the Heisman Trophy, were HCHS graduates: quarterback Alex Smith and running back Reggie Bush. This was the first time ever that two graduates from the same high school achieved this. Bush would then go on to claim the 2005 Heisman.Helix High School's biggest rival is Grossmont High School. In football they play for the "musket" which has a rich tradition behind it. A lot of the students at Helix High School went to the same junior high school as students from Grossmont High School. That is what makes the rivalry so unique as all the students coming out of junior high got divided to go to two different high schools that split the city of La Mesa, Ca.

Traditions

Mission statement:Helix Charter High School is dedicated to preparing all students to graduate as highly literate, vocationally aware, life long learners. All graduates will gain confidence and self-worth as a direct result of the Helix learning experience. Graduates will be empowered to take increasing responsibility in their educational direction and academic success. All students will be prepared with the skills necessary for success in college and adulthood.

Notable alumni

*Reggie Bush, National Football League (NFL) running back, New Orleans Saints and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner.
*Chuck Cecil, former National Football League strong safety, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Oilers; currently safeties and nickelbacks coach, Tennessee Titans
*Dennis Hopper, 1954, actor and film director
*Kyra Phillips, news anchor, Cable News Network (CNN)
*Tom Philp, 1979, associate editor, Sacramento Bee, winner of 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing.
*Alex Smith, National Football League quarterback, San Francisco 49ers, and #1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
*Bill Walton, 1970, sportscaster and former National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame center, Portland Trail Blazers,Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers)
*Todd Watkins Wide receiver on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad
*Cathy Scott, 1967, Bestselling true crime author and award winning national journalist
*J. Michael Scott, 1959, author and senior scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey
*Leon White, 1980, Former [National Football League (NFL) ] Line backer, 1986 - 1991 Cincinnati Bengals, 1992 -1993 Los Angeles Rams
*Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Nationally renowned wind ensemble conductor
*Barry Jantz, 1977, La Mesa City Councilman 1990-2006

Notable faculty

*Myrra L. Lee, 1977 National Teacher of the Year
*Daniel Lewis, founding band director, former director of Pasadena Symphony and conducting professor at USC

See also

*List of high schools in San Diego County, California
*List of high schools in California

References

* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_Dec_13/ai_n8565302] Article on Heisman trophy winners
* [http://www.helixcharter.net/bestpractices/distinguishedschsynopsis.pdf Distinguished school synopsis]
* [http://www.guhsd.net/excurricular/ Grossmont Union High School District - school mascots and colors]
* [http://www.helixcharter.net/sarc/sarc0405.pdf Helix High School - School Accountability Report Card 2004-2005]
* [http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/ap/distingcounty.asp?county=37&submit1=Submit List of California Distinguished Schools in San Diego County]

External links

* [http://www.helixcharter.net Helix High School]
* [http://www.helixcharterpipeband.com Helix Bagpipe Band]