J. J. Pearce High School

Infobox_School
name = J.J. Pearce High School


imagesize = 100px
type = High School/secondary school
district = Richardson Independent School District
grades = 9-12
principal = Karen Neal
colors = Red and Blue
mascot = Mustangs
information =
website = [http://www.risd.org/Schools/schools.asp?OrgCode=004 School Website]

J.J. Pearce High School is a high school located in Richardson, Texas. It is one of two Richardson Inependent School District high schools to have a natatorium. In 2005, it had an enrollment of 2,015 and a student:teacher ratio of 22:1.

Pearce was established in 1967 with a group of tenth graders housed at Richardson North Junior High School. Prior to 1967, all high school students in the Pearce area attended Richardson High School. In 1968 the school moved to its current home on Coit Road, which has been expanded several times since.

Newsweek has also ranked Pearce at #528 in the top 1,000 high schools in the nation. Schools were ranked based on the number of students who signed up for Advanced Placement courses and AP tests. Pearce was named a 1988-89 National Blue Ribbon School. [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools Program, Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002 (PDF) ] ]

Pearce High School also has an excellent Academic Decathlon team. The school holds the record for the most national wins in United States Academic Decathlon history claiming five first place titles, and has also succeeded in being in the top ten schools in the state competition since its founding.

The J.J. Pearce band is recognized internationally for excellence and has performed at such prestigious institutions as The Meyerson in Dallas and Carnegie Hall in New York. The band has been named the Texas Honor Band twice, once in 1984 in the 5A category and again in 2001 in the 4A category. J.J. Pearce is also one of only four schools nation wide to receive the coveted Sudler Flag of Honor twice from the Sousa Foundation. In November,1986, the Mighty Mustang band competed at the State Marching Band competition in Austin, TX, and took 3rd place. They returned to the State competition again in 2007 where they placed eleventh.

J.J. Pearce also has a very successful choral program. The A Cappella Choir was selected as the 2008 TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) State Honor Choir, and performed at the TMEA convention in February in San Antonio, Texas. More recently, the entire choral department was invited to perform at the Vatican in Italy. The group will perform there in June of 2009.

The J.J. Pearce Orchestra was given the privilege in the Spring of 2007 to record for Disney in Los Angeles.

The graduating class of 1987 was reunited on The WB original program "High School Reunion", which premiered March 5, 2008.

Notable alumni

* Amanda Alch (b. 1990), Actress "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town", "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide"
* Jessica Simpson (b. 1980), recording artist and actress.
* Jeff Agoos (b. 1968), World Cup veteran soccer player who played in Germany, England and the U.S.
* Ray Childress (b. 1962), NFL Pro Bowl Defensive lineman.
* Scott Turner (b. 1972), NFL defensive back and politician.
* Dennis DeShazer (b. 1963), Writer, producer for 'Barney'.
* Wil Shriner (b. 1953), class of 1972, television and movie a
* Lane Garrison (b. 1980), Actor "PrisonBreak" sentenced 40 months in prison, Vehicular Manslaughter.

References

External links

* [http://www.risd.org/schools/phs/ School Website]
* [http://www.risd.org/Schools/schools.asp?OrgCode=004 School District]
* [http://www.jjpearceorchestra.com Orchestra Web Page]