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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

Leigh High School billboard
Leigh High School billboard

[edit] Music Programs

Leigh High School is known in the Campbell Union High School District for its many musical programs. Leigh High School offers a concert band, symphonic band, a wind ensemble which requires an audition, and a jazz ensemble which also requires an audition. Currently, the director of the program is Joseph Reichert, who has been with Leigh High School since 2006. Leigh High School's marching band is one of the program's most popular activities, usually bringing in more than 100 students per season. During the winter, the music program offers a winterguard, which has become a world guard and has ranked in the finals at world competitions, along with a winter percussion. Leigh also offers choir as a year-long class for all grades.

[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 have won regional championships.

In only the second year of the school's existence the 1964 Varsity football team tied for the league championship. This was followed up by the 1966 Varsity football team that won the league title outright. The 2004 Varsity Football team also won the league championship.

In the mid 70's, Leigh High was noted for its Cross Country dynasty, under the coaching of Homer Latimer, and in 1974 the Longhorns won the national title. The school's proximity to the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains, where runners trained vigourously year round, was a significant contributor to the program's success.

In 2008, Leigh's Varsity Field Hockey team had quite the winning streak. They eventually made it to CCS.

[edit] School Principals

As of 2007, 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
  • Dick Costanzo 2001–2006
  • Donna Cuntage 2006–present

[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links