American High School

American High School
Diversity and Dedication Enhance Learning and Education.
Location
36300 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536 United States
Information
Type	Public
Established	1972
School district	Fremont Unified School District
Principal	Greg Bailey
Faculty	__ total faculty __ Fully credentialed
Enrollment	1,986
Grade 9	526 Freshmen (Class of 2014)
Grade 10	539 Sophomores (Class of 2013)
Grade 11	472 Juniors (Class of 2012)
Grade 12	447 Seniors (Class of 2010)
Campus size	42.79 acres (173,200 m2)
Campus type	Suburban
Color(s)	Red, White, and Blue (Navy)
Mascot	Eagles
Newspaper	Eagle Era
Yearbook	Aerie
Information	(510) 796-1776
Website	[1]

American High School (AHS) is a public secondary school located in Fremont, California. It is one of five public high schools within the Fremont Unified School District.^[1] The school receives its students through the American High School attendance area boundary set by the district. It was a California Distinguished School from 2005 to 2009.

History

The school opened in 1972 as an open campus with 9th, 10th and 11th graders under Principal Joseph Tranchina. The Class of 1974 was the school's first graduating class, and the Class of 1976 was the first four-year class.

On November 16, 1973 at approximately 3:00am fire broke out in the Faculty Commons, gutting the facility and necessitating its reconstruction. Two former students were later arrested for starting the fire.

Student body

Population

The student population at the end of the 2004-2005 school year was 1,981 students.^[2] In previous school years, 2003–2004, 2002–2003, 2001–2002, the school’s population has been 1,868, 1,692, and 1,586 respectively.^[2] A few years before the aforementioned boundary changes, the student population at American ranked around 1,200 students, and according to recent estimates, it has grown to 2017 in the 2005-2006 school year students, and in 2008-2009 school year it grew to 2026.^[3] In the 2009-2010 year, American High School's population rose to over 2000, making it the 2nd largest school in the district.

Demographics

The inmate population at American High School is approximately 51% male and 49% female. In terms of ethnicity, the largest group at the school is the Asian population. It is the fastest growing portion of the population and represents 31% of the student body. The second largest group is Whites, which represent 28% of the population, African Americans at 26%, followed by Filipinos at 10%, Latinos at 9%, Pacific Islanders at 1% and Native American at less than 1%. 16% of the population identifies itself with another race or multiple races.^[2] The large growth in the Asian population is attributed by many to the arrival of students from Ardenwood and Forest Park elementary schools, which both boast a majority Asian population.^[4][5]

Attendance Area

• Elementary Schools that attend American High:
• Ardenwood Elementary
• Forest Park Elementary
• Brookvale Elementary
• Oliveria Elementary
• Patterson Elementary
• Warwick Elementary

Student Teacher Ratio

American High has struggled to maintain low class sizes among all subjects and classes, but the rapidly increasing population and the limited class space and resources have resulted in a slight increase in class sizes. The class sizes for English and mathematics have stayed about the same, or gone down slightly, as state regulations has mandated smaller class sizes in these critical subjects, due to budget cuts however, the recent sizes of these classes has nit dipped far below 30 students. However, social science classes have been forced to add 5 more classes of 33 students or more than in previous years. Science classes have had to add 6 more classes of 33 students or more than in previous years.^[2]

AHS Administration

• Principal: Mr. Greg Bailey
• Principal's Secretary: Ms. Lorna Powell
• Vice-Principal: Ms. Leanna Sutton
• Assistant Principal: Mr.Rob Reibenchuh
• Assistant Principal: Ms. Anette Raichbart

General Aspects

Academics

American High School has gone from having a 49% passing rate on the CAHSEE in 2001 to having an 87% in 2010. The Academic Performance Index (API) has gone from 646 in 1999 to 673 in 2000, 676 in 2001, 681 in 2002, 721 in 2003, and 757 in 2004, improving a total of 111 points in a period of 4 years. In 2009, American High School's API was 787. As of 2010, American's API score has risen to 796, putting it only behind Mission San Jose and Irvington, but well in front of Washington and Kennedy. Additionally, American High School earned a rare 6-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and prides itself on once being a poorly performing school to now being a California Distinguished School (as of 2005).^[6] American was a California Distinguished School in 2005-2009.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2011, American High School has once again received a six year accreditation from WASC. The visiting committee noted that American harbored unique and special characteristics where there was an extremely high level of respect between teachers and students.

In the 2011-2012 academic year, American's API score rose to 811, a 15 point increase from 796 in 2010. The staff, students, and PTSA are incredibly proud of this achievement and are in working to hold future celebratory events.

Facilities

An approximate model of American High School campus.

A general map of facilities and permanent buildings at American High School. Notice the 3 major wings (300, 500, 700) and the Rotunda, which form the main building.

American High School was separated into three main wings under its original design. When opened in 1972, the 300 and 500 wings were open areas with individual classrooms being separated by portable dividers. By the time of the thirtieth anniversary, those wings had been remodeled to a traditional permanent wall arrangement.

Classes have been organized according to the wings. The 300-wing has traditionally served as the home of English, social studies and foreign language departments. The 500-wing has traditionally served as the home of the mathematics and science classes. The 700-wing has generally been reserved for the arts: music, theater, photography, art, sculpture, and architecture. There are two theaters. Theater 50 is similar to a college lecture hall, while Theater 70 serves as the theater for the fall play and spring musical. When built, there were two additional theaters, Theater 30 and 31, which through the use of a retractable wall, could be converted into one larger theater. These theaters were later remodeled into classrooms. In addition, there is a 400 wing, which is a series of two computer labs between the 300 and 500 wings. Between the 500 wing and the 700 wing is 600 wing, which is a series of three classrooms, one of which is now a kitchen for the cooking ROP classes. The cafeteria is also located between the 500 and 700 wings, and the classrooms of the 600 wing open up to the cafeteria. The 900 wing is a fenced complex of four classrooms just beyond the 700 wing.

Athletics

American High School's mascot is the American Eagle and its colors are red, white, and blue. Unique at the time, the incoming students to the school in 1972 were polled and chose the school's name, mascot, and colors. American High School belongs to the Mission Valley Athletic League (MVAL).

The following sports are offered at American High School: cross country, football, girl's volleyball, water polo, girl's tennis, basketball, soccer, wrestling, baseball, golf, softball, swimming, track and field, boy's tennis, badminton, and boy's volleyball.

American's Boys Cross Country team placed second at MVALS, yet decimated every MVAL school at NCS. In addition, both boys and girls basketball teams, girls soccer team, and girls volleyball team have qualified for North Coast Section Playoffs.

Controversy

Administration

Toward the end of March 2005, controversy sprung up after the reassignment of former principal Connie White, a well-respected individual within the Fremont and American High School community, was announced. Over 250 supporters attended school district meetings, and many parents, local residents, students, and teachers spoke up against the decision, urging the school board and the district superintendent Dr. John Rieckewald to reverse the decision. Over 50 speeches were made between March and May 2005, and the money for two full-page newspaper ads ($1265) was raised solely through donations. Students created "Save Connie White" pins and a website in her support. The decision to reassign Connie White was finalized on May 25, 2005. Connie White was reassigned to a teaching position at Irvington High School, but she resigned shortly after the beginning of the 2005-2006, choosing to move to South Dakota to care for her parents.

After a final meeting in June to discuss what particular qualities and attributes parents, students and faculty would want in a principal, the school board announced Mitchell Carter as principal for the 2005-2006 school year.

The reassignment of White and hiring of Carter resulted in a massive shake-up of the administration and the staff at American. Longtime Assistant Principal David Chamberlain left for a position as principal of a middle school. Newly appointed assistant principal Kathy Burgardt joined Chamberlain's replacement, Rob Reibenschuh, in the 2005-2006 school year. Citing the lack of communication and a troubled relationship with the new administration, longtime counselors Debra Miller and Nancy Johnson left at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. In the 2007-2008 school year, Jeana Nightengale, Mark Banez, and Suzanne Ayriss took over as new Counselors.

The 2007-2008 School year proved to be transitional. Mitchell Carter retired at the end of the school year after beginning innovative projects. Replaced at the beginning of the 2008 school year Ron Leone of Deer Valley High School and the pupil services department began an aggressive campaign to make American High a model school for academic learning. Without any major staff or administrative defections, Leone focused heavily on academic success, student involvement, and a new disciplinary matrix. Mr. Leone had stirred up tension between him and the students, staff and parents during his time at American.

As of the 2009-2010 school year three current members of American's staff will be retiring this year: Ms. Schwalbe, Ms. Burghardt, and Mr. Leone. Mr. Leone had served as American's principal for two years, while Ms. Burghardt had been assistant principal for six years. At the beginning of this year it was revealed here that this was the final year of Ms. Schwalbe's tenureship. She is the last of the original American High teachers. Ms. Schwalbe was a Spanish teacher at American High.

Replacing Mr. Leone as Principal is Mr. Greg Bailey formerly Principal at Horner Junior High School also part of the FUSD. Replacing Ms. Burghardt as Assistant Principal will be Ms. Anette Raichbart. She used to teach History at American a while back.

Ms. Leanna Sutton is American's Vice-Principal. She has been at American since 2000!

With the two new administrators and a revitalized line of communication between the Administration, ASB, PTSA, Boosters, and the Faculty, it is likely that American High School is going to have a successful year.

The school has four full time campus supervisors because it is the only closed campus in the district. The four campus supervisors can be found on campus at all times. American also has a school resource officer, who acts as a police officer on campus, like all the other high schools in Fremont.

Graduation

In 2003 American High School students, parents and teachers fought to keep their graduation ceremony on school grounds, as was tradition, instead of moving it to Tak Fudenna Stadium. Many supporters attended and gave speeches at district meetings. The lobbies were successful, provided that the school would bankroll the ceremony for that year.

In 2005 students and parents again lobbied to keep the graduation on school grounds. The school board agreed, allowing all schools the option to graduate on their own campus due to unfinished repairs at Tak Fudenna Stadium. Both graduating classes at American High School and Washington High School were able to raise enough money to hold graduation on their own campuses. The graduating class of Mission San Jose High School, Irvington High School and John F. Kennedy High School, however, failed to raise enough money and thereby held theirs at Central Park in Fremont.

The following year, in 2006, parents and students failed to approach the board, resulting in the first time since 1987 that American High School students graduated off campus. The ceremony for the 384-student graduating class of 2006 took place at Tak Fudenna Stadium on June 14, 2006. Since then, all following graduating ceremonies for American High School have taken place at Tak Fudenna Stadium with no current effort to return them to school grounds.

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni from American High School include:

• Garry Tan (1999), designer-in-residence at Y_Combinator_(company) and co-founder of Posterous

• Len Wiseman, director of Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006) and husband of Kate Beckinsale^[7][8]

• Robert Flynn, lead vocalist and guitarist for the metal band Machine Head.

• Steve Lewis (1987), 400-meter gold medalist at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

• Gary Erickson (1975), founder and CEO of Clif Bar and Clif Family Vineyard. Author of Raising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business

References

External links

• 37°33′53″N 122°00′57″W / 37.5645917°N 122.015947°W / 37.5645917; -122.015947Coordinates: 37°33′53″N 122°00′57″W / 37.5645917°N 122.015947°W / 37.5645917; -122.015947
• American High School's ASB official website
• American's official new website
• Fremont Unified School District's website