Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)

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Highland High School
Location
4301 E. Guadalupe Rd.
Gilbert, AZ
Information
School district Gilbert Unified School District
Principal Domonic Salce
Enrollment

2,502[1]
Type Public
Grades 9-12
Mascot Hawk
Color(s)           Black and Teal
Yearbook Talon
Newspaper The Highland Sun
Established 1993
Information (480) 813-0051
Homepage www.hhs.gilbert.k12.az.us

Highland High School (HHS) is a public high school located in Gilbert, Arizona, serving as part of the Gilbert Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1993.

Contents

Awards and recognition

Highland High School was awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence, the highest award an American school can receive, by the United States Department of Education in 2004.[2][3]

The school has also earned the state's Excelling School label every year since its inception.[4]

Academics

Advanced Placement and Honors courses

The school offers Advanced Placement and Honor Courses at all grade levels. Advanced Placement Program (AP) classes are offered in AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Microeconomics*, AP Physics B, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, and AP United States History.[5]

Athletics

Robotics Team

Highland High's official FIRST Robotics team is The 39th AeroSquadron (FRC Team 39).

In previous years Highland high school had been partnered with two other schools under the parent known as "Team 64 - The Gila Monsters." As the Gila Monsters, the school garnered numerous awards at both regional and national competitions in technology and innovation, as well as becoming multiple regional champions. In 2002, the Gila Monsters team took 2nd place in the nation at the FIRST National Competition in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World. In 2005 the Gila Monsters won 14 awards and were Regional Champions in Las Vegas as well as bringing home 2nd place in the National FIRST Robotics National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 39th AeroSquadron won the Arizona Regional in 2007 and were finalists in the Las Vegas Regional. Additionally, they were quarter-finalists in the Newton Division at the championship event in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2008 the 39th Aero Squadron again won the AZ Regional FRC competition with teams 60 and 1165 as their alliance partners.[6]

Soccer

The Highland Hawks varsity soccer team took home its first 5A-I state championship in 2007, defeating rival Gilbert High School 1-0.[7]

Performing arts

Marching Band

The HHS "Marching Pride" has received national recognition, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's day in 2001 and in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November of 2004.[8] Other accomplishments include marching in the Disneyland Light Parade in 2000 and in the Fiesta Bowl Parade and National Band Championship Competition in 1999. The school's Marching Band frequently receives ratings of Superior With Distinction[9] in Arizona festivals and often travels out-of-state to California and Nevada to compete.[10]

Choirs

The choirs at Highland frequently perform in-state and out-of-state at festivals, consistently earning superior ratings. The Concert Choir traveled to New York City in March 2007 to perform at Carnegie Hall under the direction of then Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Dr. Craig Jessop as part of the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival. The Concert Choir and Advanced Vocal Ensemble have also sung at numerous state and national festivals, including the 1998 MENC National Conference.[citation needed]

Orchestras

Highland's orchestra program is also award-winning, having performed at Carnegie Hall in 2002.[11] The Highland High Symphonic Orchestra has performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December 2007. Currently, HHS is the only school in Arizona to have been selected twice to perform at the Midwest Clinic.[citation needed]

Extracurricular Clubs and Activities

FFA

Highland's Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter has competed for many years with other schools and has done well to get Highland recognized. In the 2006-2007 year, The Ag Sales Team got first in state, as well as the Ag Business Team.[citation needed] Jace M. got second place at the Creed competition.[citation needed] The Soils Team came with a close second.[citation needed]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ Highland High School
  2. ^ CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
  3. ^ Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
  4. ^ Highland High School
  5. ^ Highland High School - Advanced Placement
  6. ^ https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?page=teaminfo&team=39&event_type=FRC
  7. ^ http://varsity.evtrib.com/index.php?sty=83834&PHPSESSID=77e8a494f55cb945bc6c
  8. ^ Gilbert band heats up NYC
  9. ^ ABODA Handbook
  10. ^ HHS Marching Band Festivals and Results Page
  11. ^ http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/press/press_release/104674.html

External links