Leigh High School

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Leigh High School is a secondary school located in San Jose, California. Opening in September 1962, it was the fifth school to be established within the Campbell Union High School District. The school has twice been awarded the California Distinguished School award, in 1999 and 2003.[1] As of 2005, the enrollment at the school was 1729 students. The school colors are gold (yellow) and pine green. The mascot is the longhorn.

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[edit] Academics

Leigh High School is an academically successful high school, with rankings placing it above average when compared to others in California. The average SAT scores of students were the highest in the district in 2000, and were above the state and national averages. The California Department of Education Academic Performance Index of Leigh High school gave it a ranking of 9 within its state, and a relative ranking of 8. Ninety percent of Leigh graduates go on to attend either university or community college after graduation.

[edit] Music and Performing Arts

Leigh High School has a very strong music department, including multiple bands and choirs. The current band director is Joe Reichert.

-The Wind Ensemble is Leigh's premier music ensemble, requiring auditions to get in. It has received numerous awards all across the country, including Hawaii, New York (Carnegie Hall), Boston (Symphony of Gold), and Virginia. The Wind Ensemble is a year-round class. Members of this ensemble have also been selected for county and state awards.
-The Leigh Marching Band is state renowned, routinely placing in finals with enthusiastic crowd response. ("Angels and Demons," the 2006 field show, featured music by the Scorpions and an electric guitar solo in the closer.) This is the largest music group at Leigh, with about 180 members total. Marching Band season lasts from late summer to late fall. Practices are after school, evenings, and weekends, totaling at least 21 hours a week.
-The Colorguard is also one of the best in San Jose. At WGI, their first year out with winterguard (the winter colorguard program), they successfully placed in the top 15 in the World Class in Championships in Dayton Ohio. Instructors include Marco Chavez, Greg Mar, Gina Duarte, Jillian Powers, and Eddy Castro.
-The Winter Percussion Ensemble, started in 2005, has already had a strong start, winning second place in championships in Hayward their first year,and participating in competition in Las Vegas their second. Instructors include David Sankus, David Gomez, Zak Morton, Ty Lim, and David Madena.
-There are also two other orchestral ensembles, Concert Band, consisting of freshmen, and Symphonic Band, the middle ranked ensemble. These are year-round classes during the school day.
-Jazz Band, which starts up after Marching Band season ends, is also very successful and requires an audition to get into. The Jazz Band performs at local venues as well as the standard school concerts.

[edit] School Athletics

Students at Leigh High School compete in a variety of interscholastic sports, usually at the highest level available to them. Many teams win regional championships on occasion.

[edit] School Principals

As of 2006, the current principal is Donna Hope.

  • Stewart Fowler 1962–1972
  • George Miskulin 1972–1986
  • Robert Keeler 1986–1988
  • Donna Newberry 1988–1991
  • James Russell 1991–2001
  • Rick Costanzo 2001–2006
  • Donna Hope 2006–present

[edit] Notable Alumni


Many of Leigh's former students also go on to successful careers in music.[citation needed]

[edit] References

  • Miskulin, George F. A History of The Campbell Union High School District (1900-1988). pp. 25-26.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


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