La Salle High School (Pasadena, California)

Infobox School2
name = La Salle College Preparatory High School
established = 1956
type = Private
accredited = Western Association of Schools and Colleges
grades = 9-12
head_name = Principal
head = Mr. Patrick Bonacci
city = Pasadena, California
state = California
country = United States
students = ~740
athletics =Baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo
mascot = Lancers
location = 3880 East Sierra Madre Boulevard
telephone = [phone]
fax = [phone]
website = http://www.lasallehs.org/

"La Salle High School"' is a private, Roman Catholic college preparatory high school in Pasadena, California. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

La Salle High School, founded in 1956, is a Lasallian school committed to excellence in education. The curriculum pursues a rigorous balance for its 740 students between college preparatory courses, religious education and cultural, social and athletic opportunities. La Salle High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Education Association.

In 2006, 99% of the graduates enrolled in college, with 87% attending four-year universities.

History

In 1955 a contract was signed between His Eminence James Francis Cardinal McIntyre and the San Francisco District of the Brother of the Christian Schools for the construction and operation of a Catholic boys high school in the Pasadena area. And thus, the history of La Salle High School began.

1955-1956: Construction of the Main Building

In February 1955, the construction of La Salle High School was assured when the Pasadena City Planning Commission reinstated a zoning variance that had expired in 1951.

In November 1955, construction began on the School’s main building. The building was described as a contemporary three-story structure of reinforced brick and concrete. The building would include eight classrooms, chemistry and physics laboratories, mechanical drawing and typing rooms, library, book store, audio-visual room, cafeteria, locker room and offices. Facilities would also include an athletic field and track. The Brothers’ residence and chapel were built before the opening of the School.

1956: La Salle Opens the Doors

La Salle High School opened the doors in September with Brother Celestine Cormier, FSC, as the first principal. Brother Celestine indicated that at La Salle “We intend to give your son an integrated education which has a purposeful direction worked into it…our educational plan calls for an orientation in which God is the center.”

The new La Salle Catholic High School opened September 11, 1956 with 117 ninth grade students from fourteen nearby communities. The present school building would eventually accommodate 400 students, adding a class each year until the full high school program was offered.

On November 10, 1956 La Salle High School was blessed by Bishop Alden J. Bell. Future plans for the school included a combination auditorium-gymnasium, an additional classroom wing, and additions to the Brothers’ residence. A field permitted as a playground was under construction at this time.

1958: Athletics Strive Forward

Athletic Facilities at La Salle continued to expand with the completion of the track curbing which encircles the play ground.

La Salle is formerly accepted into the Olympic League of the California Interscholastic Federation and began official competition in basketball, baseball, track and field, and tennis during the 1958-1959 school year.

1959-1960Construction of the GymnasiumConstruction of the Auditorium-Gymnasium begins. It would include a regulation playing floor, bleacher seating for 750, stage, music room, student council room, showers, and offices. The building would complete La Salle’s approved expansion program allowing the school to accommodate 600 boys.

La Salle becomes a four-year institution with the enrollment of 120 freshmen boys in the fall of 1959 bringing the student body to 400 members.

1960La Salle’s First Graduating ClassAfter one year of construction, the La Salle High School Gymnasium was ready for full use with the beginning of the 1960-1961 school year.

La Salle’s first graduating senior class totaled 92 graduates. The Class of 1960 received their diplomas in the new school auditorium-gymnasium on June 2, 1960. More than 1,200 people witnessed the ceremonies presided over by His Excellency, Bishop Alden J. Bell, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles.

Having graduated the schools first class in early June, La Salle reaches a high maturity in student enrollment. The incoming freshman class numbered 125 boys and increased the student body to 430. The teaching faculty at this time consisted of 11 Christian Brothers and six lay teachers. From 1960 until the early 1990s, La Salle High School continued to graduate young men instilled with the values and principles of the Christian Brothers tradition.

1961AccreditationLa Salle is officially accredited by the University of California. The University Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools reviewed the records of graduates in colleges and universities, compared them with their high school records, and granted the accreditation without hesitation. This accreditation would continue indefinitely as long as La Salle graduates designated by the high school as college material performed accordingly.

1962A CIF VictoryLa Salle wins their first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) runner-up title in basketball under the leadership of Coach Duffy Lewis. During that same season, the Lancers won their first ever varsity Championship of the Santa Fe League.

1963More Sports TeamsLa Salle becomes one of the first Catholic high schools in the CIF to embrace a comprehensive water polo program. The Santa Fe League sponsors cross-country competition for the first time and La Salle’s runners were ready to run.

1964-1965La Salle ExpandsConstruction of the Michillinda wing takes place. This addition to the School included a library, biology lab, five classrooms, assembly hall, student bookstore, seminar room, and faculty offices.

1970-1977A Decade of GrowthOpen for over a decade, the school enjoys a thriving enrollment, competitive athletics, comprehensive visual and performing arts program, and a rich tradition of brotherhood.

1979A CIF ChampionshipLa Salle wins their first CIF championship in cross-country under the direction of Coach Don Blair. On June 2, 1979 the Gymnasium was dedicated to Dr. Phillip J. “Duffy” Lewis, beloved teacher, coach, and administrator of La Salle High School for his years of commitment and friendship to the students, faculty, and parents.

1981La Salle Celebrates its 25th AnniversaryLa Salle has its 25th Anniversary during the same occasion of the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Christian Brothers in France and the 10th anniversary of the Lasallian Ambassadors support organization composed of parents, alumni, and friends of the School.

1986 La Salle's enrollment was steadily decreasing; morale was low. The school had to take significant measures to stay afloat. A new, stricter dress code was instituted. Gone were the t-shirts from beer companies and satanic rock bands. No earrings or long hair was allowed. It did little to increase enrollment.

The 1980's progressed and the student body continued to dwindle. La Salle offered money to students who could recruit in-coming freshman. It didn't work either. La Salle had to evolve.

1991-1992Women Arrive on CampusEven though the school intended to offer enrollment to women one grade level at a time, a brave group of women (thirteen in all) convinced Brother Philip Clarke, FSC, that they should be admitted into the junior class. Cautiously, he gave the stamp of approval to these young ladies and they took the school by storm. Not to be outdone, there was an ambitious group of twenty-seven young ladies who were also admitted that year into the sophomore class and they wasted no time letting people know they were here to stay. The freshman class that year (the Class of 1995) was the first full coeducational class at La Salle. Young women immediately got involved in all aspects of student life ranging from student government to clubs to athletics to performing arts.

1991-1992: Football kicks off at La Salle

With the approval of La Salle’s trustees, the search was on for an individual who had the experience and drive to create La Salle’s football program from the ground up. Luckily for the search committee, one candidate by the name of Lew Stueck came highly recommended. With Coach Stueck in place he took the reins and built La Salle’s football program from the ground up. Everything from scheduling, to equipment, uniforms, strategies, etc., had to be created because La Salle had nothing other than a few actual footballs that were used during P.E. classes. It was a modest beginning for a program that would later flourish. On September 14, 1991, La Salle kicked off the football program with the very first junior varsity "home" football game at La Canada High School. The following year La Salle fielded both junior varsity and varsity teams.

1994: Christian Brothers make strategic decision

Due to the declining number of Novices entering the Institute and the great number of Brothers retiring, the Christian Brothers decide to close the Brothers' Residence in Pasadena and reassign those living there to schools in greater need. A handful of Brothers remained on staff but lived at Cathedral High School or in the neighboring communities.

1996-1997: Expansion takes on a Whole New Meaning

In an effort to meet the growing needs of La Salle students, the School’s Board of Trustees approved a campus expansion project that would include: the relocation and renovation of the Blakeslee Library, a 10,000 square foot freestanding Dining Hall, a 200 seat amphitheater, expanded weight room, and a three-story wing that would extend down Michillinda and include four state-of-the-art science labs, general classrooms, campus ministry room, chapel, dance studio, faculty center and administrative offices.

Academics

La Salle admits students who are ready to accept the challenges of a rigorous academic program and who are committed to the pursuit of education beyond the secondary level. The school's philosophy focuses on the learning process itself.

Classes at La Salle meet in 95 minute blocks, three times in a 7-day rotation.

*Computer Education
*English
*Foreign Language
*Mathematics
*Physical Health
*Religious Studies
*Science (Biology, Environmental Science, Physics, Anatomy)
*Social Studies
*Visual & Performing Arts

Approximately 75 students take the AP exams each year, with a 70% pass rate in the last three years.

Other academic highlights include:
*Academic Decathlon
*Leadership for Student Life
*Independent Study
*Scholar's Thesis
*Teacher Assistant Program

Beyond the academic school year, students are expected to complete summer reading in the four areas of English, science, social studies, and visual & performing arts.

Clubs & Organizations

*Alpha Delta Mu Arts Society
*Amnesty International
*Anime Club
*Astronomy Club
*California Scholarship Federation
*Cultural Awareness Club
*Film & Theatre Club
*Helping Humanity
*Junior Classical League
*Junior State of America
*Mock Trial Club
*National Honors Society
*Pi Alpha Chi Service Society
*Pass It On Organization
*Science Outreach Organization
*Spanish Club

Athletics

La Salle offers 49 athletic teams. Within each sport, there are at least two levels of competition: junior varsity and varsity. The junior varsity team focuses on skill development, motivation, teamwork, and positive attitude. At the varsity level, teams play competitively and regularly earn post-season play-off berths. Lancer athletics enjoys a long tradition of success in the San Gabriel Valley, boast 10 CIF Championships, 13 CIF Runner-Up titles and over 127 varsity league championships. Also, over 15 graduates have returned to coach athletic teams at La Salle.

*Baseball
*Basketball (Boys & Girls)
*Cheer
*Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
*Football
*Golf (Boys & Girls)
*Soccer (Boys & Girls)
*Softball
*Swimming (Boys & Girls)
*Tennis (Boys & Girls)
*Track (Boys & Girls)
*Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
*Water Polo (Boys & Girls)

Admissions

Students that apply to La Salle must subimit their score from the STS/HSPT (High School Placement Test).

La Salle's Admissions Committee examine the following criteria:
*Sixth, seventh and first semester eighth grade scores
*STS/HSPT results
*Recommendations by current principal or teachers
*Interview

While being Catholic can help one gain admittance to La Salle, it is not required as approximately one third of the student population is non-Catholic. Once students are accepted no distinction is made between Catholics and non-Catholics.

In 2006, approximately 20% of applicants were admitted.

Tuition

*Tuition: $11,676
*Registration Fee: $400
*Student Services Fees: $350

Tuition is payable on one of the following plans:
*Monthly: June through May
*Quarterly: June, September, December, March
*Semi-Annually: June, December
*Annually: JunePayments are due on the 1st of each month for the plan chosen. Choice of payment plan must be made at the time of registration and cannot be changed.

Financial Aid applications are available starting in December in the Finance Office.

Tuition, registration, student services, and graduation fees are non-refundable.

College Acceptances

Graduates from La Salle High School have attended numerous prestigous higher education institutions, including the California Institute of Technology, Cornell University, Harvard University, the United States Air Force Academy Yale University and most notably Southern Methodist Universityand Loyola Marymount University.

Famous Lancers

Anjali Agrawal was named to Pasadena's 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade Royal Court. Megan Chinen & Christina Mills were named to Pasadena's 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade Royal Court. Megan was honored as the 86th Rose Queen for the 115th Rose Parade in 2004.

Camille Clark was chosen as the 88th Rose Queen for it's 117th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2006.

Jose Galvez, guitarist and vocalist for the Pasadena-based band, Ozma, graduated in the class of 1997 from La Salle High School.

(Jason Ybarra), graduated La Salle in the class of '94. Actor/stuntman on the popular childrens tv show and movies (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) played "Rocky" under a stage name from 1994-1997 then continued doing stunts on the show for another 8 years. Currently still in the movie industry.

Radio personality Nick Roman, graduated La Salle in the class of '73. Nick can be often heard reporting for NPR (National Public Radio) on his radio station in the Los Angeles area, 89.3 FM, KPPC.

Interesting Trivia

In 2004, Avril Lavigne performed a private concert for the students of La Salle. At the beginning of the school year rock star Avril Lavigne appeared in a special concert that no one knew about, not even the teachers. The Student Body President who was undergoing cancer treatment, emailed Oprah Winfrey to thank her high school community for their support during her illness. Oprah was so moved by her letter that she produced a surprise concert for Nicole and the entire student body and faculty. The event was filmed on September 1 at La Salle, and was aired on the Oprah Winfrey Show on September 17.

External links

* [http://www.lasallehs.org La Salle High School home page]
* [http://lsh-verso.auto-graphics.com/verso/public/public_opac.htm| Blakeslee Library - La Salle High School]
* [http://www.ststesting.com/hsptpg9.html High School Placement Test Information]