Junípero Serra High School (San Mateo, California)

Infobox High School
name= Junípero Serra High School


headmaster=
principal= Lars Lund
established= 1944
type= Private
grades= 9-12
address= 451 W. 20th Ave.
city= San Mateo
state= California
zipcode= 94403
country= USA
enrollment= 998 [cite web|url=http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/private/8136 |title=Junipero Serra High School - San Mateo, California - CA - school overview / greatschools]
campus= Suburban
colors= Blue and Gold color box|Blue color box|Gold
mascot= Padres
conference= WCAL
website= [http://www.serrahs.com/ www.serrahs.com] |

Junípero Serra High School (commonly Serra or JSHS) is a private secondary school in San Mateo County, California, United States serving students in grades 9-12. A part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, this high school provides single-sex education, accepting only young men. The school has an academic focus with a college preparatory curriculum. Although Serra is a school for young men, they are involved in a partnership with two schools for young women – Mercy, Burlingame and Notre Dame, Belmont. This "tri-school" program hosts coed activities including classes, retreats, drama and music productions, club activities and dances.

History

Junípero Serra High School opened on September 11, 1944 with a faculty of five and a student body of eighty-six freshman and sophomore boys. Established by San Francisco Archbishop John Joseph Mitty as the Archdiocesan high school to provide for the Catholic educational needs of the boys of San Mateo County, it was named in honor of Padre Junípero Serra, was assigned as the first principal of Junípero Serra, which was originally located at what is now the site of St. Bartholomew's parish on Columbia Drive and Alameda de las Pulgas.

In 1955, Serra opened the doors to their new campus on West Twentieth Avenue in San Mateo where they are located today. Under the leadership of Monsignor James F. Maher, principal from 1961 to 1967, Junípero Serra continued as a strong influence in the academic community; and as the number of laity on the faculty and staff increased, a greater effort was made to try to begin to meet their financial and retirement needs, thus enabling the school to retain a stable and qualified faculty.

In 1978, Mr. C. Michael Peterson became the first lay person to serve as principal of Junípero Serra High School. The Reverend Stephen H. Howell was also appointed at that time to serve as the school's first President. In that role, Fr. Howell provided for the pastoral needs and guidance of the school. Under this administration, Junípero Serra's mission as a Catholic school with a strong college preparatory focus flourished. Those who led the school during this period ensured that the school "developed the gifts and talents of each student and fostered Gospel values in an environment of academic excellence and mutual respect."

Recently the school has engaged in several development efforts which have led to significant campus renovations and improved student and faculty access to technology resources.

Location

Situated in residential San Mateo, Junípero Serra High School is located less than five minutes from both U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280, just off State Route 92. Over 97% of the student body comes from the Peninsula (San Francisco through Palo Alto, including the coastal areas of Half Moon Bay and Pacifica).

Curriculum

Junípero Serra High School offers a college preparatory curriculum, including more than twenty Advanced Placement and Honors courses. Serra students are required to complete a minimum of 240 units, pass all required courses, and perform eighty hours of Christian Service in order to graduate. Students may also earn college credits while at Serra. Ninety-nine percent of graduates continue their education at the college or university level. Serra attributes its students academic success to the school's creation of a challenging, yet comfortable learning environment in which students are placed at various academic levels according to their needs and abilities.

The John L. Zoph Library contains approximately 18,000 volumes and over 30 online subscription databases. It is a curriculum-based collection that can be accessed by Junípero Serra students on campus or remotely through the [http://www.serrahs.com/ Serra website] .

=Extracurricular activities=

=Athletics= Junípero Serra High School has a rich athletic tradition. Many of the student-athletes have gone on to compete at some of the top collegiate programs in the country, while several have also been successful in professional sports (Barry Bonds, Tom Brady, Lynn Swann, Jim Fregosi, Gregg Jefferies, and Joe Kmak). Additionally, John Robinson was both a college and professional level head coach. Serra participates in the West Catholic Athletic League.

Serra participates in the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling and, introduced this year, Outdoor Lacrosse.

RIvalsSerra is known to have Rivals in and out of the WCAL, In football the padres main rival is league rival Bellarmine and St. Francis, In Basketball is against out of league rival Burlingame and the most famous game is The Jungle Game between Serra and S.I.

Clubs

Amnesty International, Anglers' Club, Art Club, Big Brothers, Block "S" Club, Bowling Club, Broadcasting Club, California Scholarship Federation, Canyons and Canvas Club, Close-Up, College_N_Site, Creative Writing Club, Cycling Club, Fantasy Sports Club, French Club, Golf Club, Habitat for Humanity, Hip Hop Club, Improv Club, Junior State of America, Leadership Club, Math Club, Multi-Cultural Club, National Honor Society, Performance Car Club, Performing Arts Club, Rock Climbing Club, Sailing Club, Ski/Snowboard Club, Spanish Club, Speech Club, Tri Music Honor Society, Trivia Club,Video Game Club, Yell/Cheer Leaders

=Visual & Performing Arts= Visual and performing arts offerings include: Symphonic Band, Men’s and Mixed Chorus, Jazz Band, Dramatic Workshop and Musical Theater Workshop. In addition, Serra, along with Notre Dame High School in Belmont and Mercy High School in Burlingame, put on a play each fall and award-winning musicals each spring as Tri-School Productions.

Visual and performing arts classes include Architectural Design, Art, Advanced Art, Beginning Guitar, Beginning Percussion and Films.

Publications

*"El Padre" Yearbook
*"Serra Friar" Newspaper

=Student government= The student government at Serra is made up of an executive student council, class officers and homeroom representatives. Members plan activities including dances and rallies and work to improve Serra with the school’s administration.

=Spirituality= Junípero Serra High School is a Catholic school and thus offers faith instruction through the Campus Ministry program and the curriculum. The Campus Ministry Program plans liturgies and other prayer opportunities, hosts retreats, and manages the school's Christian Service program. Theology courses offer instruction in the Catholic faith, morality and worship, and stress the importance of individual faith development. The curriculum is designed to address both students with extensive religious education as well as those with little or no knowledge of the Catholic faith.

Notable alumni

* Ruben Barrales, Class of 1980, Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
*Peter Barsocchini, Class of 1970, Writer/Producer, created Disney's franchise High School Musical
* Barry Bonds, Class of 1982, Major League Baseball left fielder (1986-) for the San Francisco Giants
* Bryan Bishop, sound effects engineer and castmember of the Adam Carolla Show, syndicated on multiple radio stations throughout the pacific time zone.
* Tom Brady, Class of 1995, NFL quarterback for the New England Patriots(2000-), three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super Bowl MVP, 2007 NFL MVP
* Bob Fitzgerald, Class of 1984, Professional sports play-by-play announcer, KNBR talk show host
* Jim Fregosi, Class of 1959, Major League Baseball shortstop (1961-1971) and manager, 6-time All-Star, Gold Glove Award winner
* Jesse Freitas, Class of 1969, NFL quarterback for the San Diego Chargers(1974-1975)
* Greg Gutfeld, Class of 1982, Journalist, Editor of [http://www.dailygut.com/ The Daily Gut] and Host of Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld on Fox News Channel.
* Gregg Jefferies, Class of 1985, Major League Baseball infielder (1987-2000), 2-time All-Star
* Bill Keller, Class of 1966, New York Times Executive Editor, Pulitzer Prize winner
* Joe Kmak, Class of 1981, Major League Baseball catcher (1993,1995) for the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs(and currently a Math Teacher at Serra High School)
* John Lescroart, Class of 1966, New York Times best selling author
* Chuck Lofgren, Class of 2004, drafted by the Cleveland Indians, 2006 Player of the Year Kinston Indians
* John Robinson, Class of 1954, NFL Coach (1975, 1983-1991), College Football Coach (1960-1974, 1976-1982, 1993-1997, 1999-2004)
* Tom Scott, Class of 1969, CFL Hall of Fame member
* Dan Serafini, Class of 1992 Major League Baseball pitcher (1996-2003), Japanese Baseball League
* John Shields, Class of 1950, Retired President and CEO Trader Joe's grocery stores
* Michael Shrieve, Class of 1968, drummer for Santana
* Lynn Swann, Class of 1970, former NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1982), Hall of Famer, Super Bowl MVP
* Michael Trucco, Class of 1988, Television actor

ee also

*San Mateo County high schoolsAndrew Gillis, Stud hockey player for the Colorodo Buffaloes and is a projected top 10 pick in next years NHL Draft

References

External links

* [http://www.serrahs.com Official Site]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/private/8136 Great Schools profile]