Capistrano Valley High School

Infobox School


name=Capistrano Valley High School
type=Public
location=26301 Via Escolar
Mission Viejo, CA
information=[phone]
established=1977
grades=9-12
enrollment=2,949
faculty=200
principal= Mrs. Deni Christensen
mascot=The Cougars
colors=Black and Gold
district=Capistrano Unified School District
website= [http://www.cvhs.com/]

Capistrano Valley High School (often called Capo Valley High School or CVHS, known informally as Capo) is a comprehensive public high school at the southern border of Mission Viejo, California that belongs to the Capistrano Unified School District. It is set on a hilltop overlooking the I-5 freeway corridor and the Saddleback Mountains. It is located on Via Escolar, off the Avery exit of the I-5 freeway. The school attendance boundaries serve students from eastern, southern, and northern Mission Viejo and a small northern portion of San Juan Capistrano. The school is ranked as number 488 in Newsweek's list of the top 1,300 high schools in the nation. [http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380] CVHS falls in the top 2.5% of US high schools by this. [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html]

History

CVHS opened in 1977 with one main building and 1,326 students. It was the third high school to be opened in Capistrano Unified School District after San Clemente and Dana Hills High Schools. Over the years the school grew adding various wings and improvements such as a pool and gym.

CVHS experienced several population shifts as the district opened the new schools of Aliso Niguel and Tesoro with the building boom in southern Orange County. Students were taken and replaced between these schools as attendance boundaries changed with each new school addition. The 2006-2007 school year was the last year San Juan Capistrano freshmen students primarily entered CVHS. In the 2007-2008 school year most SJC freshmen attended the district's new San Juan Hills High School. A few San Juan Capistrano students who live close to the Mission Viejo/ San Juan city borders may continue to attend CVHS.

There was controversy over the addition of San Juan Hills High School which would serve San Juan Capistrano, and CVHS would serve solely Mission Viejo with the new boundaries the district settled on. In the 2005-2006 school year over 2,800 students attended CVHS. The freshman class that entered in 2006 is the largest ever.

CVHS is a California Distinguished School [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html] , National Blue Ribbon Finalist [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html] , and was ranked 480 in Newsweek's 2008 list of the top 1,300 schools nationwide. [http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380/?sort=Rank&count=1351&Search=&start=500&limit=100&year=2007&] This puts CVHS in the top 2.5 percent of high schools in the nation. By the list, it is the highest ranked for the school district and second highest rank between both Saddleback Valley and Capistrano Unified that serve south Orange County.

Due to ongoing problems at San Juan Hills High School, Capistrano Unified appointed CVHS Principal Tom Ressler to that campus after 22 years at Capistrano Valley. Mr. Ressler began his job at SJHHS in the fall of 2008 and Deni Christensen, the former Vice Principal of Guidance was appointed by the district to become the new principal of Capistrano Valley in the fall of 2008. [http://www.capousd.org/releases.htm]

The average class size is 34 students and there are 93 teachers and 90 have a full credential. 4.3% of the teachers hold doctorates, 52% hold a masters and 43% hold a bachelor's degree. [ [http://www.missionviejo.org/education/capistrano-valley-high-school/ Capistrano Valley High School Demographics] , "MissionViejo.org", January 27, 2008.]

Facilities

Capistrano Valley has a unique brick architecture, seldom seen in the stucco pop up buildings that cover most of Southern California. [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html] There is a main building that has two story wings projecting from the main indoor quad area known as the "mall." From the mall are the administration offices, the food service area called the "Cougar Grill," the teachers' lounge, all centered by a stage where music and games are played during events like spirit week or before a school dance. The mall is also used as the auditorium after school when the stage area is enclosed.

Capo's second wings branch from a mini mall that is centered by a two story library and career center. The Activities office is in this hall. The school has six computer labs and 400 computers for student use.

Arrangements of Main Building: Off the main mall/ quad of the school are the A, B, and C wings. The A wing is to the left of the main entrance and is home to the administration, guidance, and attendance offices. The B wing is located to the right of the main entrance and has all fine art classrooms, drama, music, and the IB room. The C wing has eight classrooms that are electives and ROP courses like auto shop, photography, dance, and stage design. Adjacent to the main mall is the "mini mall" with the career center in the middle. Off this area are the D, J, and E wings. The D wing has eight science classrooms and a greenhouse. The J wing has foreign language classes and a computer lab. The E wing is six math classes and a computer lab. On the lower level surrounding the library are the H, K, F, and G wings. The H wing has twelve social science classrooms, the K wing has foreign language classrooms, and the F wing has thirteen English classrooms. The G wing is for special education and is in a more separate area with individualized rooms.

Arrangement of Outside Buildings: In addition to the main building, a new two story brick building was built in 2006 called the "M Building." It replaces sixteen older portable classrooms. The M Building has social science classrooms, four state of the art science rooms, and math classrooms. Off the upper level "senior parking lot" are 18 portable classrooms. These rooms primarily are English classrooms, but there is a mix of math, science, and ROP also in what is known as the "P rooms."

There is a gymnasium and auxiliary gym that were newly remodeled also in 2006. Capistrano Valley has 180, convert|768|sqft|m2 in permanent buildings and 19, convert|680|sqft|m2 in relocatable buildings. There are 200, convert|448|sqft|m2 of buildings on the entire campus. Capistrano Valley has the least amount of square footage in portable buildings of the district high schools, and also the least amount of total square footage (though this schools has the lowest enrollment in the district).

CVHS also boasts one of the largest high school swimming pools at 50 meters long. There are three soccer/football fields, six tennis courts, two softball fields, two baseball fields, and a turf field and track in the stadium.

Academics

CVHS is one of two high schools in Capistrano Unified School District and one of 180 in the USA and Canada to be an International Baccalaureate School [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html] and offers the Academy of Technology Math and Science.

There is also the Laptop Academy, in which students use their laptops in the classroom and interact with computers in all aspects of learning. Students often are found using the internet to find current events and go deeper into history than with a textbook.

Counselors work with students to help them stay college bound if that is their desire as strong emphasis is put on college preparatory courses. CVHS is part of the AAA (Accelerated Academic Achievement) Program. The school's API is 812, making it a CA Exeplarary High School. [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html]

CVHS is the district's northern magnet campus due to the presence of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the most established AP programs in the northern portion of the district. CVHS has had a pass rate of 96% for IB. [http://www.capousd.org/schools/high/cvhs.html]

17 AP courses are offered in: Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics C, American Government/Economics, American History, European History, Art History, Psychology, Statistics, Calculus AB/BC, French IV, German IV, and Spanish IV.

17 IB courses are offered as: English III SL, English IV HL, Biology HL, Chemistry SL, Physics SL, History of the Americas HL, Math Studies SL, Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, French SL, German SL, Spanish SL, Spanish HL, Music Theory SL, Theory of Knowledge, Psychology SL, and Visual Arts SL.

Capistrano Valley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) [http://www.acswasc.org/directory_searchlist.cfm] .

ports

CVHS offers sports programs in football, water polo, swimming, cross country, roller hockey, volleyball, golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, track and field, lacrosse, surf, softball, cheerleading, and wrestling.

Capo competes in the South Coast League against Aliso Niguel, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Dana Hills, and Tesoro High Schools. Approximately 40 percent of students participate in competitive athletics. [http://www.capousd.org/schools/high/cvhs.html]

The men's surf team were the champions in the men's longboard competition in 2008. The girl's surf team placed third in the women's shortboard championships in 2008. [http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=987546&Main=987546]

The 2007 women's varsity volleyball team ended the season as South Coast League Champions, ranked as the third best team in Orange County, and compeating to C.I.F. third round. [http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=capogirlsvball]

The 2007-2008 Cougar men's basketball team were the South Coast League Champions, ending the season ranked number six in Orange County. The team compeated to C.I.F round two. [http://www.ocvarsity.com/sport.php?sportID=3&gender=B]

The 2008 men's baseball team, a perenial top performer, tied Tesoro for first place in league play with a nearly all junior class team. The baseball team won the South Coast League for a sixth consecutive year. The team will move on to CIF as the #1 seed from the South Coast League and ranked number five in all of Orange County. [http://www.hartbaseballstats.com/STANDX08.pdf]

For the first time ever in school history, the 2008 men's swim team took first place in league going undefeated and proceeded to CIF. [http://www.ocvarsity.com/standings/?sportID=15&gender=B&seasonID=12]

The new lacrosse team in the spring of 2008 placed third in league as the sport grows in popularity of the west coast. [http://www.ocvarsity.com/standings/?sportID=15&gender=B&seasonID=12] CVHS was awarded the high school with the best character and sportsmanship in 2006 by CIF. [http://www.capousd.org/schools/high/cvhs.html]

The Fine Arts Department

The Capistrano Valley Marching Band, known throughout Southern California as the Black and Gold Brigade, participates in competitive field tournaments, parades and home football games. The ensemble consists of woodwind, brass, color guard and percussion.

The Black and Gold Brigade currently competes in the SCSBOA (Southern California Band and Orchestra Association) 2A division and has qualified for all SCSBOA championships since 2002. The marching band earned first place in the 2A division in 2002. It also won first place in the 1A division in 2006 for colorguard, band, visual, and percussion categories.

The winter guard team placed first in division AA at the Winter Guard Association of Southern California contest at Tesoro High School in February 2007. In the championships, the team placed sixth in "Intermediate Yellow A" at CVHS in April 2007.

On October 13, 2007, the Black and Gold Brigade came in first place for Auxiliary, Music, and Drumline categories at the prestigious Poway Marching Band Invitational in Division 2A.

This year, Capistrano Valley High School has three wind bands and three string orchestras. The top band and top orchestra also double as an IB music class, exposing the students to ethnomusicology and music theory.

The Drama Department is accompanied by Capo Valley's three choirs. The chamber choir or top group is called Camerata. The treble choir, which consists of women only, is named Tapestry. To top off the program is CV Choir, which is the entry level choir, which turns down no applicants.

In the spring, the students can join a variety of other music classes like pop-strings and jazz band. Also in the spring is the spring musical where the orchestra, the band, the choir, and drama are combined to perform a popular musical.

Clubs and Activities

Capistrano Valley offers a wide array of clubs for students to be involved in. The clubs are under the rule of the student government, the Associated Student Body (ASB). ASB consists of Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshmen Class Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer). Also, there are the commissioner positions that include: Commissioner of Athletics, Commissioner of Activities, Commissioner of Multicultural/Clubs, Commissioner at Large, Commissioners of Students, Campus Services and Staff, Commissioners of Technical Services, Commissioner of Pep and Commissioner of Publicity.

Curricular Clubs: MC-Squared, Ceramics Club, Cougars 4 Character, California Scholarship Federation (CSF), Drama Club, Escape Magazine Club, International French Club, Junior Statesmen of America, Key Club, Marine Ecology Club, National Honor Socity, Quiz Bowl, Shutterbug Club, Yearbook, Newspaper, Model United Nations, Math Club, Instrumental Music, Orchestra, Color Guard, and Music.

Non-curricular Clubs: Pep Squad, Boys Soccer Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Make A Wish Foundation, Go Club, Federation of Christian Athletes, Japanese Culture Club, R.E.A.D, Intense in Tents, Freethinking Atheist and Agnostic Kinship, Operation Smile, ROCK, Big Brother/Sister, Amnesty International, The Green Club, Roller Hockey, People Connecting with Technology, Operation Home Front, Leo Club, Invisible Children, Red Cross Club, and Students Against Drinking and Driving.

Notable Alumni

* Todd Marinovich Former University of Southern California & Los Angeles Raiders Quarterback [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Marinovich]
* Kina Grannis singer/songwriter whose songs have been played during the Super Bowl and episodes of General Hospital. She is currently signed with Interscope Records . [http://www.kinagrannis.com/about.php]
* Ryan Schreiber Professional journalist who attended the University of Missouri and has had work published in numerous publications. He has been known to return as a substitute teacher at CVHS and other schools within the district.

Controversy

Litigation

Peloza v. Capistrano Unified School District

Capistrano Valley has figured in several notable legal controversies over its history. In a case that drew national media attention, a biology teacher named John Peloza was accused of proselytizing and teaching creationism instead of evolution, in violation of the state curriculum. Peloza gave a student a Bible and told another Jewish student that she would go to hell if she did not convert to Christianity. [ cite news | first=Lily | last=Eng | title=Anti-Evolutionist Teacher Sues School District | date=October 1 1991 | work=Los Angeles Times |]

Peloza was not fired, but was reprimanded by the principal and ordered to teach evolution and refrain from proselytizing. Peloza sued the school district in federal court, as well as several teachers and administrators, including principal Thomas R. Anthony; vice-principal Ross Velderraine, history teachers James Corbett and Paul Pflueger, and science teachers Ray Panici and William Redding. In addition to state tort claims, Peloza alleged that that the school district unconstitutionally required him to teach "evolutionism" and that evolutionism is a religious belief system. He also alleged that the defendants attempted by harassment and intimidation to force him to teach evolutionism because of a class-based animus against practicing Christians in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). [Peloza v. Capistrano Valley Unified School District (9th Cir. 1994)] Peloza asked for 5 million dollars in damages. Peloza received assistance from the Rutherford Institute and the American Center for Law and Justice. [ cite news | first=Tammerlin | last=Drummond | title=Teacher's Lawsuit Over Evolution Rejected Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition | date=October 5 1995 | work=Los Angeles Times |]

Finding the lawsuit frivolous, a district court judge dismissed Peloza's lawsuit on January 16, 1992, awarding attorney's fees to the defendants. After the decision, Peloza was reassigned to teach physical education instead of science. On October 4, 1994 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of Peloza's lawsuit, but reversed the award of attorney's fees. [ Peloza v. Capistrano Valley Unified School District (9th Cir. 1994)] The Supreme Court refused to hear Peloza's appeal in 1995. Peloza continued to teach physical education at Capistrano for a number of years. [ cite news | first=Karen | last=Alexander | title=Gym Class Deal Works Out; High School Eases Crowding by Sending P.E. Group to Health Club | date=May 19 1999 | work=Los Angeles Times |]

C.F. v. Capistrano Unified School District

In another case that has drawn national media coverage, on December 12, 2007 Chad Farnan, a student, represented by the Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group, filed suit against 19-year AP European History teacher Dr. James Corbett. The suit alleges that Corbett had violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause that prohibits government from advancing religion or promoting hostility toward religion. [ [http://www.ocregister.com/news/corbett-students-high-1943118-school-capistrano Teacher's religion remarks spark lively community debate] "Orange County Register", December 14, 2007.]

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and attorney fees, alleges that Corbett typically spent "a large portion of class time propagating his personal views to a captive audience," including criticism of Christianity and traditional Christian viewpoints on topics such as birth control, teenage sex, homosexuality and erectile dysfunction. [ [http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/education/article_1943088.php Capistrano Valley High School religion dispute's legal issues] , "Orange County Register", December 16, 2007.] In response to the lawsuit, numerous former students of Corbett defended him, holding a protest at the school and forming support groups. [ [http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-corbett-students-1944935-capistrano-class 200 protesters turn up to support Capo teacher sued over religious comments] "Orange County Register", December 19, 2007.]

In March, U.S. District Court Judge James Selna denied Corbett's motion to dismiss the suit by demurrer. [ [http://www.ocweekly.com/features/features/capo-valley-highs-james-corbett-isnt-the-first-local-educator-to-face-ocs-cultural-conservatives/28692/?page=1 Capo Valley High's James Corbett Isn't the First Local Educator to Face OC's Cultural Conservatives] , "OCWeekly,April 10, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.ocregister.com/news/corbett-students-high-1943118-school-capistrano]
* [http://www.cvhs.com Capistrano Valley High School's website]
* [http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=cvcougarslacrosse Capistrano Valley Lacrosse Team Website]
* [http://www.cvhsmusic.org Capistrano Valley High School's music website]
* [http://www.capousd.org/schools/cvhs.html District's CVHS website]
* [http://cvhsfootball.com CVHS Football website]
* [http://www.cougarsxc.com/ CVHS Cross Country]
* [http://www.capowrestling.com/ CVHS Wrestling]