Irvine High School
Encyclopedia
Irvine High School is a public high school located in the city of Irvine
in Orange County
, California
, as part of the Irvine Unified School District
.
As of the 2005–06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,828 students and 76.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 23.9.
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
, the highest award an American school can receive.
It was named a California Distinguished School
by the California State Board of Education
in both 1988 and 2007.
Additionally, in 2000 and again in 2006, the Accrediting Commission for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
awarded Irvine High a full six-year term of accreditation under the Pursuing Excellence format.
Irvine High School has also been named a Grammy “Signature Gold” for its instrumental and choral music departments.
The High School provided facilities for the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
in August 2010.
, sharing facilities such as sports, music and the library with the younger students there. The new Irvine High School campus opened its doors in September 1976, taking in as sophomores the former class of "Rancho" ninth graders as well as a new class of freshmen. Each successive year added another class of freshmen and in September, 1978, the high school finally had all four classes of students. Construction continued on campus during this time, with the theater and the main gym becoming available in 1977, the football-track field in 1978 and the aquatic center in 1979. The first class graduated in June, 1979.
The campus itself is notable for its architecture. It was designed by architect Ron D. Young in the Brutalist architecture
style, and built largely of tilt up concrete slabs featuring distinctive cast geometric inlays. The shapes and angles of floor plans and design motifs were based on the hexagon. The initial layout of the Humanities building envisioned two or three teachers and their respective students sharing a single open plan
hexagonal room, but this quickly proved too distracting. Portable office dividers were placed in a line to define classroom boundaries, but noise was still a problem. After two years of such conditions, walls were erected to close off the large, open hexagons.
team placed 2nd in Orange County and 4th in Southern California in the 2010-2011 Science Olympiad competitions. The Quiz Bowl team, begun in the 2010-2011 school year, informally ranked in the top 15 schools in Southern California that season. It tied for 2nd in the regular division of the Triton Spring Quiz Bowl Competition. In the 2011-12 season, the Irvine Team placed 6th place at the UCSD Triton Fall Tournament, qualifying them for the 2012 PACE NSC Quiz Bowl Tournament in St. Louis.
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
in Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, as part of the Irvine Unified School District
Irvine Unified School District
Irvine Unified School District is a school district in Orange County, California that serves the city of Irvine. Established on June 6, 1972, IUSD serves approximately 28,000 K-12 students at 22 elementary schools, five middle schools, four comprehensive high schools and one continuation high...
.
As of the 2005–06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,828 students and 76.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 23.9.
Awards and recognition
During the 1988–89 school year, Irvine High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, the highest award an American school can receive.
It was named a California Distinguished School
California Distinguished School
A California Distinguished School is an award given by the California State Board of Education to public schools within the state that best represent exemplary and quality educational programs. Approximately five percent of California schools are awarded this honor each year following a selection...
by the California State Board of Education
California State Board of Education
The California State Board of Education is the governing and policy-making body of the California Department of Education. The State Board of Education sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, instructional materials, assessment, and accountability...
in both 1988 and 2007.
Additionally, in 2000 and again in 2006, the Accrediting Commission for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
awarded Irvine High a full six-year term of accreditation under the Pursuing Excellence format.
Irvine High School has also been named a Grammy “Signature Gold” for its instrumental and choral music departments.
The High School provided facilities for the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
The eleventh edition of the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, also known as the 2010 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, a long course event, was held in Irvine, California, United States, from August 18–22....
in August 2010.
History
Soon after it opened in 1970, University High School, the first high school in Irvine, began to get too crowded from the influx of residents moving to Irvine's fast-developing housing tracts. The school district had already planned for a second high school to be built on what was then the extreme north side of the city across Walnut Avenue from the Greentree residential tract which was completed in 1973. Dr. Dean Waldfogel was chosen to be the first principal of Irvine High School; Waldfogel selected his faculty of a dozen teachers from a large number of applicants. The fledgling organization accepted its first class of 300 freshmen in September 1975. Because the high school's buildings were still under construction and not ready for occupation, the new high school was housed in extra classrooms and portable buildings at Rancho San Joaquin Middle SchoolRancho San Joaquin Middle School
Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, commonly referred to as Rancho, is a middle school in Irvine, California, serving the southern part of Irvine, including the neighborhoods of University Park, Turtle Rock, Turtle Ridge, Quail Hill, Shady Canyon, and University Hills. It is part of the Irvine...
, sharing facilities such as sports, music and the library with the younger students there. The new Irvine High School campus opened its doors in September 1976, taking in as sophomores the former class of "Rancho" ninth graders as well as a new class of freshmen. Each successive year added another class of freshmen and in September, 1978, the high school finally had all four classes of students. Construction continued on campus during this time, with the theater and the main gym becoming available in 1977, the football-track field in 1978 and the aquatic center in 1979. The first class graduated in June, 1979.
Brutalist architecture
Brutalist architecture is a style of architecture which flourished from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, spawned from the modernist architectural movement.-The term "brutalism":...
style, and built largely of tilt up concrete slabs featuring distinctive cast geometric inlays. The shapes and angles of floor plans and design motifs were based on the hexagon. The initial layout of the Humanities building envisioned two or three teachers and their respective students sharing a single open plan
Open plan
Open plan is the generic term used in architectural and interior design for any floor plan which makes use of large, open spaces and minimizes the use of small, enclosed rooms such as private offices...
hexagonal room, but this quickly proved too distracting. Portable office dividers were placed in a line to define classroom boundaries, but noise was still a problem. After two years of such conditions, walls were erected to close off the large, open hexagons.
Academic Teams
Irvine High has several distinguished academic teams. The Science OlympiadScience Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an American elementary, middle, or high school team competition which tests knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability. Over 6,200 teams from 49 U.S. states compete each year. Most teams compete in three levels of competition: regionals, states, and nationals...
team placed 2nd in Orange County and 4th in Southern California in the 2010-2011 Science Olympiad competitions. The Quiz Bowl team, begun in the 2010-2011 school year, informally ranked in the top 15 schools in Southern California that season. It tied for 2nd in the regular division of the Triton Spring Quiz Bowl Competition. In the 2011-12 season, the Irvine Team placed 6th place at the UCSD Triton Fall Tournament, qualifying them for the 2012 PACE NSC Quiz Bowl Tournament in St. Louis.
Notable alumni
- Eric AndersonEric Anderson (actor)Eric Anderson is an American actor.Born in Newport Beach, California, Anderson started acting at age eight as part of a children's operetta company....
(1972–), musical theatre actor - Amanda BeardAmanda BeardAmanda Ray Beard is an American swimmer and a seven-time Olympic medalist . She is a former world record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke ....
(1981–), U.S. Olympic Women's swimmer. - Jack DeSenaJack DeSenaJack DeSena is an American screen and voice actor. He is best known for his work on the sketch comedy series All That, having joined the show's cast at the start of its 7th season in 2001 Jack DeSena (born John Patrick DeSena; December 6, 1987, in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American screen and...
(1987–), actor on All ThatAll ThatAll That is an American live-action, sketch comedy-variety show that aired on the Nickelodeon cable television network featuring short comedic sketches and weekly musical guests. The theme song for All That was performed by TLC...
and Avatar: The Last AirbenderAvatar: The Last AirbenderAvatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. The series was created and produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who served as executive producers along with Aaron Ehasz... - Bob HamelinBob HamelinRobert James Hamelin is a former first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals , Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw left-handed.In a six-season career, Hamelin posted a .246 batting average...
(1967–), former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. - Don JeffcoatDon JeffcoatDonald Lee "Don" Jeffcoat, Jr. is an American actor.-Biography:Jeffcoat an American actor, who got his big break playing Eric Antonio on The Wonder Years, has starred and appeared on a number of films and television shows, including the children's game show Wild and Crazy Kids broadcast on...
(1975–), host of NickelodeonNickelodeon (TV channel)Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
's Wild and Crazy KidsWild and Crazy KidsWild and Crazy Kids is an American television game show in which large teams, usually consisting entirely of children, participated in head-to-head physical challenges on Nickelodeon, that aired from 1990 until 1992 for a total of 65 episodes. It was hosted by Omar Gooding, Donnie Jeffcoat, and...
, actor on One Life to LiveOne Life to LiveOne Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social... - Dustin KensrueDustin KensrueDustin Michael Kensrue is a vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist in the Orange County, California post-hardcore/experimental rock quartet Thrice, as well as a solo artist....
(1980–), vocalist and guitarist with ThriceThriceThrice is an American rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi while they were in high school.... - Jason LezakJason LezakJason Edward Lezak is an American Olympic swimmer, winner of 4 Olympic gold medals.He formerly swam for Irvine Novaquatics. He graduated from Irvine High School in 1994, and then from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1999. He is a member of the Rose Bowl Aquatics swim club...
(1975–), U.S. Men's Olympic swimmer - Chris MandevilleChris MandevilleChris Scott Mandeville is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League, he played one year for the Washington Redskins and two years for the Green Bay Packers...
, former National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player - Beverly OdenBeverly OdenBeverly Oden is a volleyball player from the United States. She played middle blocker for the U.S women's volleyball team in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia....
, U.S. Olympic Women's volleyball player - Elaina OdenElaina OdenElaina Oden is a former volleyball player from the United States, who won the bronze medal with the United States women's national volleyball team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain....
, U.S. Olympic Women's volleyball player - Kim Oden, U.S. Olympic Women's volleyball player
- Jason Peoples, winner on television show Average Joe
- Jimmy Raye, former National Football League player, Front Office
- Teppei TeranishiTeppei TeranishiTeppei Teranishi is the lead guitarist and keyboardist of the post-hardcore band Thrice from Orange County, California. In addition to guitar and keyboard duties, he also provides backing vocals for Thrice's live performances. He favors Gibson Les Paul guitars and Fender Telecasters among others...
, guitar with ThriceThriceThrice is an American rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi while they were in high school.... - Jennifer BrundageJennifer BrundageJennifer Brundage is an American softball player and Olympic champion. She is currently assistant softball coach at the University of Michigan....
, U.S. Olympic Women's Softball team - Veronica PortilloVeronica PortilloVeronica Portillo is an American reality television participant, Playboy model, and co-creator of the College Dropout t-shirt line.-Road Rules:...
, television personality on MTV Road Rules, Semester at Sea, Real World/Road Rules Challenge - Sameer Gadhia, main vocalist with Young the GiantYoung the GiantYoung the Giant is an American alternative rock band that formed in Irvine, California, in 2004. The band's line-up is Sameer Gadhia , Jacob Tilley , Eric Cannata , Payam Doostzadeh , and François Comtois...