Alhambra High School (Martinez, California)
Encyclopedia
Alhambra Senior 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.
score in 2003, 2004, and 2005 was 1074, 1045, and 1049, respectively. These are typically 20-40 points better than the statewide average.
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 nine A.P. courses; English (Language & Literature), Biology, Calculus, US History, Spanish, Drama, 2D Design, and Statistics. The most unsuccessful of these programs in recent memory has been the Biology program, with students taking the A.P. Biology exam passing at rates often around 14%.
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.
The Bulldogs gridiron teams are always competitive, in large part due to the extraordinary leadership by 20+ year head coach Dave Silvera. His calm demeanor, humble personality and attention to detail resulted in the utmost respect from his fellow coaches, players and the Martinez community. Alhambra's most successful and memorable football teams included back-to-back 13-0 seasons leading to North Coast Section (NCS) championships in 1990 (led by QB Mark Rueb, RB Jeff Waters and OL/DL Joe Dunn) and 1991 (led by QB Ronny Odell and RB David Pruitt). In the 1994-95 school year the Bulldogs and the furious Foursome of: Jon Lee, Corey Green, Michael Thompson and Stanley Joyner helped them finish second in the Championship, winning the NCS title in 1996/1997 school year (led by QB Kenny Kerns, RB Anthony Aires, RB Anthony Lastrico).
During the 1997/1998 school year the Bulldogs won their division and lost in the conference championship game to Granada. (The Granada football team was a team Alhambra easily handled earlier in the season) Memorable players from the 1997/1998 school year football season were Bino Jackson, Ryan Lee #19 RB/Scat Back and Defensive back/CB, Teddy Ballen, Tyler Fowler,Mike Ryken and Kevin Berry at QB. The 1997/1998 school year football team and the 1999/2000 school year football teams were very similar type teams, in the way that they weren't always the most talented in depth. Both teams played like a typical well coached Dave Silvera type football team. Silvera type football teams seem to always be overachievers (by doing more than what was expected of them),These two teams were extremely in tune with each other, playing together as one. Both teams making very few to no mistakes.
The Football program had an off year for rebuilding in 1998/1999 season, but surprisingly bounced back in the 1999/2000 football team school year. Key Team players for the 1999/2000 team were Michael Cunningham,Justin Sharman #82 WR/CB (Defensive Back) All county both ways, Chris Bryan # 8 at QB (Honorable mention for all county), Jacob Lee #19 at CB "Jake Lee" (Defensive Back/Corner Back also received Honorable mention for all county) , Sam Nichols, Tyson McGuire, Doug Durban, Matt Souza along with many others. Since the 2000 football team won their division and went on to the state conference championship game against the high school football team Foothill. Barely losing to foothill in 1999/2000 and 1997/1998 these type of results have became expected. Unfortunately, Alhambra had a couple of off years in the early 2000s but has now returned to whats expected of an Alhambra Football team 2006 to present (excluding the 2008/2009 year with a record of 2-9. In 2009/2010 season Alhambra went to the championship game losing to Marin Catholic high school, but still finishing with a record of 11-2.
In Track & Field and Cross Country under the direction of Coach Tim Bruder for the past 33 years (who recently died in his sleep). Coach Bruder's contributions are numerous to Alhambra Athletics and he is irreplaceable and will be extremely missed, these Alhambra sport teams have sent athletes to numerous state championships. Such as the 1994-95 team with: Jon lee, Corey Green, Michael Thompson and Stanley Joyner who had a chance at winning the 4x100 relay when a bad hand-off surpressed their chances. 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.
In 2000 after the transfer of James McCauley, a stand out volleyball player from De La Salle High, the school added JV and varsity volleyball to their spring sports line-up. The varsity team was coached by former Alhambra alum Samantha Kirkhouse and was co-captained by James McCauley #4 and Tom Hall #13. The team, also includes Eddie Glaeser #6, Chris Uyeda #26 and Nick Roth #7 was involved in many disciplinary disputes with the North Coast Section CIF due to the diversity of personalities on the team. The team was still able to enjoy marginal success for their first season, and the program has remained intact through the 2010 school year.
Scott Osterholt, (wrestling coach) slept through his alarm to miss the Olympic Trials.
Alhambra High School also has a Mock Trial team, coached by Ed Fortier and Dawn Polvorosa. The Alhambra Mock Trial team has the highest winning percentage of all teams at the school and places well in the County championships, taking second place in 2005 and 2009, and going to state in 2006. Alhambra's team also installed a courtroom journalist for the 2009-2010, a position available to participating teams, thought not filled by Alhambra's team. The courtroom journalist, Bailey White, won the county championship for journalism and participated in the California mock trial championships for both the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons.
In 2011, the Alhambra Mock Trial team had some coaching changes, Frank Reichert took over for Ed Fortier as the teacher coach. In the 2011 competition, Alhambra rebounded from the 2010 season and continued their string of good performances, taking fourth place honors.
Ms. Julianne George is the proud conductor of all bands and orchestras. Mr. Gerard Wiener is the drama teacher and director. The Drama Department has put on such shows as Cabaret, Pirates of Penzance, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hello Dolly!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, and previously performing Grease. The shows contain of live band with students conducted by Ms. George or previously a student; Bridgette Smith.
Martinez, California
Martinez is a city and the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,824 at the 2010 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings...
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
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, Mentoring
Mentoring
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
, and Outreach programs as well as numerous community events. The school's Mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is "Spike" the Bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
, 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 74.1% White, and 21.3% Latino. African Americans, Asians, Filipinos, and Native Americans represent 4.2%, 3.1% and 2.1%.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
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.The average SATSAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
score in 2003, 2004, and 2005 was 1074, 1045, and 1049, respectively. These are typically 20-40 points better than the statewide average.
Alhambra has seen significant improvement in its enrollment in the Advanced Placement Program
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
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 nine A.P. courses; English (Language & Literature), Biology, Calculus, US History, Spanish, Drama, 2D Design, and Statistics. The most unsuccessful of these programs in recent memory has been the Biology program, with students taking the A.P. Biology exam passing at rates often around 14%.
When comparing the Academic Performance Index
Academic Performance Index
The Academic Performance Index is a measurement of academic performance and progress of individual schools in California, United States. It is one of the main components of the Public Schools Accountability Act passed by the California legislature in 1999...
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 sponsors the following sports programs: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross-Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling. The school frequently fields excellent teams in most of these sports, especially Football, Baseball, Cross Country and Track & Field.The Bulldogs gridiron teams are always competitive, in large part due to the extraordinary leadership by 20+ year head coach Dave Silvera. His calm demeanor, humble personality and attention to detail resulted in the utmost respect from his fellow coaches, players and the Martinez community. Alhambra's most successful and memorable football teams included back-to-back 13-0 seasons leading to North Coast Section (NCS) championships in 1990 (led by QB Mark Rueb, RB Jeff Waters and OL/DL Joe Dunn) and 1991 (led by QB Ronny Odell and RB David Pruitt). In the 1994-95 school year the Bulldogs and the furious Foursome of: Jon Lee, Corey Green, Michael Thompson and Stanley Joyner helped them finish second in the Championship, winning the NCS title in 1996/1997 school year (led by QB Kenny Kerns, RB Anthony Aires, RB Anthony Lastrico).
During the 1997/1998 school year the Bulldogs won their division and lost in the conference championship game to Granada. (The Granada football team was a team Alhambra easily handled earlier in the season) Memorable players from the 1997/1998 school year football season were Bino Jackson, Ryan Lee #19 RB/Scat Back and Defensive back/CB, Teddy Ballen, Tyler Fowler,Mike Ryken and Kevin Berry at QB. The 1997/1998 school year football team and the 1999/2000 school year football teams were very similar type teams, in the way that they weren't always the most talented in depth. Both teams played like a typical well coached Dave Silvera type football team. Silvera type football teams seem to always be overachievers (by doing more than what was expected of them),These two teams were extremely in tune with each other, playing together as one. Both teams making very few to no mistakes.
The Football program had an off year for rebuilding in 1998/1999 season, but surprisingly bounced back in the 1999/2000 football team school year. Key Team players for the 1999/2000 team were Michael Cunningham,Justin Sharman #82 WR/CB (Defensive Back) All county both ways, Chris Bryan # 8 at QB (Honorable mention for all county), Jacob Lee #19 at CB "Jake Lee" (Defensive Back/Corner Back also received Honorable mention for all county) , Sam Nichols, Tyson McGuire, Doug Durban, Matt Souza along with many others. Since the 2000 football team won their division and went on to the state conference championship game against the high school football team Foothill. Barely losing to foothill in 1999/2000 and 1997/1998 these type of results have became expected. Unfortunately, Alhambra had a couple of off years in the early 2000s but has now returned to whats expected of an Alhambra Football team 2006 to present (excluding the 2008/2009 year with a record of 2-9. In 2009/2010 season Alhambra went to the championship game losing to Marin Catholic high school, but still finishing with a record of 11-2.
In Track & Field and Cross Country under the direction of Coach Tim Bruder for the past 33 years (who recently died in his sleep). Coach Bruder's contributions are numerous to Alhambra Athletics and he is irreplaceable and will be extremely missed, these Alhambra sport teams have sent athletes to numerous state championships. Such as the 1994-95 team with: Jon lee, Corey Green, Michael Thompson and Stanley Joyner who had a chance at winning the 4x100 relay when a bad hand-off surpressed their chances. 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.
In 2000 after the transfer of James McCauley, a stand out volleyball player from De La Salle High, the school added JV and varsity volleyball to their spring sports line-up. The varsity team was coached by former Alhambra alum Samantha Kirkhouse and was co-captained by James McCauley #4 and Tom Hall #13. The team, also includes Eddie Glaeser #6, Chris Uyeda #26 and Nick Roth #7 was involved in many disciplinary disputes with the North Coast Section CIF due to the diversity of personalities on the team. The team was still able to enjoy marginal success for their first season, and the program has remained intact through the 2010 school year.
Scott Osterholt, (wrestling coach) slept through his alarm to miss the Olympic Trials.
Alhambra High School also has a Mock Trial team, coached by Ed Fortier and Dawn Polvorosa. The Alhambra Mock Trial team has the highest winning percentage of all teams at the school and places well in the County championships, taking second place in 2005 and 2009, and going to state in 2006. Alhambra's team also installed a courtroom journalist for the 2009-2010, a position available to participating teams, thought not filled by Alhambra's team. The courtroom journalist, Bailey White, won the county championship for journalism and participated in the California mock trial championships for both the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons.
In 2011, the Alhambra Mock Trial team had some coaching changes, Frank Reichert took over for Ed Fortier as the teacher coach. In the 2011 competition, Alhambra rebounded from the 2010 season and continued their string of good performances, taking fourth place honors.
Performing Arts
Alhambra has an excellent Drama/Performing arts center constructed in 2002. AHS also has a marching band, flag team/colorguard, concert band, jazz band,and an orchestra. 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 and participates in parades. Performing Arts at this high school is exceptional.Ms. Julianne George is the proud conductor of all bands and orchestras. Mr. Gerard Wiener is the drama teacher and director. The Drama Department has put on such shows as Cabaret, Pirates of Penzance, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hello Dolly!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, and previously performing Grease. The shows contain of live band with students conducted by Ms. George or previously a student; Bridgette Smith.