Sylmar High School

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Sylmar High School is a public school in the northeast San Fernando Valley in the Sylmar district of Los Angeles, California. Established in the 1950s, it is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, District 2, and serves more than 3,600 students in grades 9-12. The school mascot is the Spartans.

[edit] Academics

The school was known for an alarmingly high dropout rate in 2004, with 48% of its class dropping out before graduating. A program was then set up with tutors from California State University, Northridge, after which the dropout rate was reduced to 26% in 2005.

[edit] Athletics

Sylmar's athletic program has flourished in the Los Angeles City Section.

[edit] Football

Once led by the intimidating coach Jeff Engilman, the Spartans won two City Section championships in 1992 and 1994. Engilman, who has won more than 200 games in his 29-year coaching career, once led the Spartans to a City Section-record 69 consecutive league wins. The mark once stood as the state record. He left Sylmar after the 2003 season. Sylmar has continued the success Engilman built when taking over in 1987, as it has won 17 straight league titles. A seemingly endless talent-pool of players have emerged from Sylmar led by the Jacksonville Jaguars' star tight-end George Wrighster and Oregon State standout and former Denver Broncos cornerback Brandon Browner. The Spartans have also seemed to have built a factory on constant star running back. Some of the star running backs turning Sylmar into a City Section football powerhouse were Shawn Hampton ( Pre-Engilman era, was City of Los Angeles Leading Rusher in 1984 & 1985), Jerome Casey, Daniel Burney, Tobaise Brookins (Washington), Tyrone Crenshaw (Michigan State), Durell Price (UCLA), Ryan Carew (UCLA) and C.J. Gable (USC). As a freshman in 2006, Gable made history when he started at tailback for USC in the opener against Arkansas, scoring on the Trojans' opening drive.

[edit] Baseball

The Spartans of Sylmar are a notable baseball powerhouse in the San Fernando Valley, having won one City Section Championship in 1980 under Coach Thompson and 8 straight League Titles under Coach Gary Donatella, a Valley Pac 8/Valley Mission League record that still stands. Sylmar also holds the CIF City Section record for consecutive playoff appearances standing at 22 years and counting. The Spartans finished as runner-up in the City Section championship at Dodger Stadium in 2002, when they lost a pitcher's duel, 1-0, to Cleveland High of Reseda, marking the first title-game shutout since 1982. This would be coach Gary Donatella's first championship appearance in 14 years at Sylmar, and his last. Donatella, a 1972 Sylmar graduate, announced his retirement as Head Coach soon after the title game. Donatella, finished with a career record of 402-181 in 20 seasons, six of those at Los Angeles Marshall High, remains on as a teacher. "Gary D." as he is known by many, was succeeded by Assistant Head & Pitching Coach Ray Rivera who quickly led Sylmar to a League title in 2003.Since then, the Spartans have waged baseball-war against historic cross-town rivals San Fernando High and new league powerhouse Kennedy High of Granada for Valley Mission League supremacy. Sylmar has produced such talents as Derek Ornalez, James Lemos, Juan Carlos Velazco and notable Minor League standouts as Eddie Camacho, Marco Estrada and Ivan Hernandez.

[edit] Notable alumni

• Johnny Whitaker, child actor from the 1960s and 1970s.
• Troy Miller, TV/Film Producer and Director.
• David Carrillo Penaloza, journalist, who has worked for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune.

[edit] Recent school achievements

The school is trying to reduce class sizes school wide. The school is becoming more involved with its community. The high school participated on a local event that will help reduce gang activities.The high school is working with parents more to decrease the drop out rate.

[edit] References

• School website
• Los Angeles Unified School District profile
• "Northridge project cuts dropout rate at Sylmar High School", April 17, 2006, CSUN News (pdf)
• http://sanfernandosun.com/sanfernsun/

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