Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, Arizona)

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**Chaparral High School**
Principal	Mrs. Mary Lou Muccino
School Type	Public (U.S.)
Religious Affiliation	None
Founded	1973
Address & Location	6935 E. Gold Dust Avenue, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253, USA
Enrollment	1,828 students
Campus Situation	Suburban
Mascot	Firebird
School Colors	Scarlet Red and Gold
School Website	[1]

Chaparral High School is a public high school located in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. It is well known for its academic excellence and is regarded as one of the highest achieving high schools in the state. The mascot is the firebird and the school colors are scarlet red and gold. The school enrolls approximately 1,800 students each year. Chaparral was dubbed "the brainiest school in the valley" by the Arizona Republic newspaper. [2]

[edit] Student body and academics

Nearly 95 percent of Chaparral's graduates enroll in higher education, with more than 35 percent enrolled out-of-state, the most of any high school in Arizona.[3] Chaparral High School has consistently ranked in Newsweek's list of Best High Schools in America, often the only Arizona school ranked.[4] Chaparral's students collectively take more Advanced Placement exams than any other high school in the state. ^{[citation needed]} The high school also usually garners more National Merit Semifinalists annually than any other school in the state and holds the state record for having the most scholars in one year (24 in 2000).[5]

Chaparral is the only school in Arizona to have students win the top honors at the Siemens Westinghouse Competition and Intel Science Talent Search, two of the most prestigious science competitions in the U.S.[6]

[edit] Athletics

Chaparral leads the 4A Division in a number of sports; however, the school is best known for its football, baseball, volleyball, badminton, lacrosse, and swimming teams. Chaparral's baseball program is highly noted across the nation, consistently ranked in Sports Illustrated as a top 10 baseball program in the nation and was named by the USA Today as one of the Super 25 Baseball teams.[7] Chaparral's Football team is known for a "tradition of excellence" and 3 state titles. [8] Chaparral's men's lacrosse team is the first team in the state to win back-to-back state championships, the team has won state in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Chaparral's badminton team won an unprecedented three state championships in a row in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Chaparral's women lacrosse also won the state championships in 2005 and were the 2006 state runner ups. Chaparral's men's ice hockey team won a state title in 2005. Chaparral's women volleyball team has always had a strong program, including state runner up in 2003, state champions in 2004 and 2005, and a final four contender in 2006. Chaparral also boasts a superior track and field team. During the 2006 season alone Chaparral won city (both boys and girls) and regionals (both boys and girls). Both teams also placed extremely well at state.

[edit] Arts

Chaparral not only has a strong reputation in sports, but is also known for its excellence in arts.

It is home to Thespian Troupe #203, and its technical theatre department is known to produce professional-quality set designs, unrivaled by most other competing schools. Chaparral's outstanding theater department has sent students off to some of the most prestigious acting and musical theater conservatories in the nation. Every school play is a huge success, attracting a full house with every performance.

The Choir department has three concert choirs; a co-ed Mixed Jazz group which performs jazz standards; and an all girls group named "Nothing But Treble", which performs pieces written by its members.

The band has had major success in all competitions within the last two years. Marching band, Jazz band, and both concert bands have received a Superior, the highest rating. The band will be continue to be competing and keep the success.

Chaparral is home of one of the best orchestras in the state. Chaparral has two orchestras, a beginning orchestra which works mostly on technique and musical skills, while the other orchestra is more advanced and plays difficult music. The advanced orchestra, Symphonic Strings, earned a Superior this year at ABODA.

Its art department is one of the premier in the state. Chaparral's art students consistently produce award-winning pieces, on both the state and national levels. Chaparral has sent students to schools such as Rhode Island School of Design.

The Speech and Debate team has many stand out students and specializes in Oratory and Public Forum Debate. The team consistently sends students on to be effective communicators and to colleges that emphasize both Speech and Debate, such as Harvard. Chaparral High School was featured in a Newsweek article as being the hub of a cocaine ring in the southwest.