Alhambra High School (Martinez, California)

Alhambra High School is a public high school in Martinez, California which was first established in 1897 (1). During the 2006-2007 academic year, the school had enrollment of approximately 1400 students. Alhambra plays an active role in the community, with students participating in extracurricular sports, Theatre, Music, Mentoring, and Outreach programs as well as numerous community events. The school's Mascot is "Spike" the Bulldog, who can often be seen in appearances with "Spikette" at football games and rallies.

Diversity

According to the most recent SARC report (1), the student population is 71.3% White, and 15.4% Latino. African Americans, Asians, Filipinos, and Native Americans represent only 3.5%, 3.0%, 2.6%, and 2.5%, respectively.

Campus

Alhambra is a campus that was built into one of the Bay Area's characteristic rolling hills. The campus was renovated in 1994, and is now set in a Spanish style reminiscent of the old campus. In 2003, the Center for the Arts was completed which seats 350 and plays host to theatrical and musical performances. This is a marked improvement for the school's drama department, which previously performed in the school's "Multi-Use Room", a combination cafeteria and stage space. During the reconstruction, it staged its performances inside the school's cramped library. The school's Synthetic football/baseball/soccer/lacrosse field borders the main avenue through town, and an all weather track, tennis courts and basket ball are set on the top of a hill. The renovation also produced a large gym facility and a student commons.

Academics

Because of its location in the relatively affluent and educated East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area), Alhambra is part of a community of highly competitive high schools. Nearby public schools include; Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California, Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, Benicia High School, and College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, California. When compared with these schools, the academic performance of Alhambra High School has significant room for improvement. Standardized test scores have been improving in recent years. In 2003, the percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards in mathematics and English was 25% and 33%, respectively (1). In 2005 these rates had improved to 34% in math and 54% in English. Scores in the sciences and social sciences have historically been marginally better. The only category in which the school consistently performs below the state average is math. This may have nothing to do with the actual teachers within the department, but rather might be associated with the school's CPM teaching philosophy, which has been shown to result in sub-standard math competency [http://www.mathematicallycorrect.com/cpmwb.htm] . The average SAT score in 2003, 2004, and 2005 was 1074, 1045, and 1049, respectively. These are typically 20-40 points better than the statewide average. However, when compared with nearby public schools the scores appear much worse. For example, the average SAT score at Miramonte High School was 1287 (3). Alhambra has seen significant improvement in its enrollment in the Advanced Placement Program over recent years. In 2001-02 there were 148 students enrolled in AP classes. By 2004-05 this number had jumped to 257. This improvement is contrasted with the low number of A.P. offerings. Over the past 5 years, the school has only consistently offered four A.P. courses; English (Literature), Biology, Calculus, and Statistics. The most successful of these programs in recent memory has been the Biology program, with students taking the A.P. Biology exam passing at rates often around 80% - 90%. When comparing the Academic Performance Index of 100 demographically similar schools to that of Alhambra's, the SARC report found Alhambra to rank 3 out of 10. The graduation rate fluctuates between 93% and 98%. Only 35.4% of graduates have completed all of the requirements for U.C. or CSU admission. Alhambra spends $6,044 per student, compared with a state average of $6,919 per student. This is reflected in the Martinez Unified School District's relatively lower teacher salaries than comparable public institutions.

Athletics

The Alhambra student body has always excelled in athletics. The schools sponsors teams in Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross-Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling. The school frequently fields above average teams in most of these sports. Among the schools' most consistently successful teams has been the schools Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Under the direction of Coach Tim Bruder for the past 33 years, these teams have sent athletes to numerous state championships. Several Alhambra Cross-Country alumni have gone on to becoming collegiate all-Americans. (4) The Track team also hosts the annual "Martinez Relays" which are the oldest high school relays in Northern California. Alhambra also has two to four teams competing at the state level each year in softball, baseball, basketball and/or football.go dogs :)

Performing Arts

Alhambra has an excellent Drama/Performing arts center constructed in 2002. AHS also has a concert, jazz, a symphonic band. As well as a chours. The drama department puts on one non-musical play in the fall, and one musical in the spring. The marching band plays at all home football games.

ources:

* [http://www.martinez.k12.ca.us/SARCS/ahssarcs.pdf "School Accountability Report Card; Reported For School Year 2004-05"]
* [http://ahs.martinez.k12.ca.us/course.catalog.06.07.pdf "2006-2007 Course Catalog; Alhambra High School."]
*Miramonte High School
* [http://www.pausatf.org/data/2005/Coach100405.doc "USA Track and Field Coaching Education; Level 1 School."]
* [http://ahs.martinez.k12.ca.us/ahs.wasc.document.pdf "'Focus on Learning' Visiting Committee Report -Alhambra High School."]

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts at Alhambra make up of Orchestra, Band, jazz, and as well as drama. It is made of many creative and inspirational artists open to others.