- Aliso Niguel High School (ANHS) is a high school located in the city of Aliso Viejo, California. Most of its students reside in the communities of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. The school is a California Distinguished School, a National Blue Ribbon School, and a New American High School. Aliso Niguel's Academic Performance Index for the year 2009 was 851. Aliso Niguel is ranked as number 683 in Newsweek's 2008 list of the top 1,300 high schools in the nation, falling within the top 5% of high schools nationwide.
- right|thumb|250px|Aliso Viejo, Californiaright|thumb|200px|Aliso Niguel Wolverines
- History
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Opening its doors in 1993 with a student body of 1600, ANHS became the fourth comprehensive high school in the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD), one of the fastest growing district in the state. Aliso Niguel High School is technologically sophisticated. Each classroom has computer terminals connected to a central media server which enables teachers and students to access major databases, laser discs, VCRs, CD-ROMs, and other media sources. With the implementation of Digital High School 2000, Aliso Niguel invested over $1 million in new technology and related instruction. Additionally, all teachers have e-mail addresses and web sites for swift communication with parents. Organized parent involvement takes the form of an active PTSA and a wide range of parent booster organizations. In cooperation with our Culinary Arts Academy, and Video Journalism Pathway, local businesses provide technical expertise, financial support, and internships for students.
- In 1996, Aliso Niguel was selected as a California Distinguished School, the youngest school ever to be recognized as such by the State Department of Education. In 2000, Aliso Niguel High School received national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School and New American High School. In 2004, The Western Association of Schools and Colleges granted Aliso Niguel a six-year term of accreditation.
- Student Ethnicity
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- [1]
- Facilities
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thumb|350px|left|Aliso Niguel's campus from the south Although the high school started small (with about 1,400 students) in their first year, the high school grew rapidly over the years, and it still continues to grow to this present day. Currently, the school has 26 portable classrooms in its southern parking lot adding to 22,080 square feet (2,051 m2), and 100 permanent classrooms. The permanent buildings are 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) forming a grand total of 222,080 square feet (7.4 m2) on the campus, making Aliso the largest school in the district. Aliso Niguel's campus consists of hallways numbered 100-1000. right|thumb|350px|Aliso Niguel High School aerial view The 100 hallway (located at the front of school) has History, Foreign Language, and Language Arts classrooms. The 200 hallway is the location of Foreign Language classrooms. The 300 hallway has Language Arts classrooms and the 400 hallway has Language Arts and History rooms. The 500 hallway is used for the Math Department. The 600 hallway is used for English, Math, and History classes. The 700 hallway has science classes and the 800 hallway has technology classrooms. The 900 hallway holds science and elective classrooms and the 1000 hallway has Fine/Practical Arts rooms . In addition, there is a main gym, and a smaller auxiliary gym used for sporting events and various school activities. There is an administrative building located at the front of the campus as well as a guidance center, culinary arts facility, school library, and an Auto Mechanic facility (located in the 900 building). 26 portables have also been built to handle overcrowding. In terms of athletic facilities, Aliso has a swimming pool, soccer fields, six tennis courts, two gyms, baseball/softball fields, and a turf football field and track in the stadium.
- Academics
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Advanced Program/Honors courses
The school offers Advanced Placement and Accelerated Courses at all high school grade levels. The current AP Exam pass rate remains an impressive 85%, the highest in the district. - Aliso Niguel offers Advanced Placement Program (AP) classes in AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP European History, AP French Language, AP Studio Art, AP Physics B, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP United States Government and Politics and AP United States History. The only current honors course at Aliso Niguel is Honors Precalculus.
- California High School Exit Exam
The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is required by all students for graduation for the classes of 2006 and beyond. Students will start taking it in their sophomore (10th grade) year. If individuals fail to pass, they must retake it once every following school year until they pass on all materials of the exam. Otherwise, they will not earn a high school diploma, and there will be no exceptions. - The exam consists of Algebra 1 and materials covered in English II or English II Accelerated classes.
- 2005 Results:After taking the CAHSEE, Aliso Niguel scored within the top 90% of all schools in the state that serve 9-12th grades. 90% of all students that took the English Language Arts passed. 91% passed in the Math section.
- Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 220 graduation credits is needed to graduate high school, as part of the Capistrano Unified School District's requirements. 70 of those credits are required from elective classes. All students earn 5 points of graduation credits for each semester for each class with a passing grade of "D" or better. - For the student graduation years of 2008 and beyond, there is a minimum level that is needed to be fulfilled in order to allow the student to graduate. The requirements are as follows: 40 credits (4 years) of college preparatory English, 20 credits (2 years) of Mathematics, 20 credits of Science (10 credits biological, 10 credits physical), 30 credits (3 years) Social Science, 10 credits (1 year) of Fine Arts electives, 20 credits of Physical Education electives (1 semester must be taken in freshmen year), 5 credits (1 semester) of Health. For individuals who did not score "normal grade level" (a RIT score of 228 or above) on their 8th grade Standardized Spring CORE Reading Test, they must take Reading Improvement (5 credits) or Reading Workshop (10 credits), depending on their RIT score, in their 9th grade year in high school.
- For the Class of 2007 and previous classes, students were required to fulfill the graduation requirements above and take the Career Education and Computer Applications (C.E.C.A.) course in order for the student to graduate, but the requirement was waved for the class of 2008 to 2011. However, it was reinstated as a requirement for the classes of 2012 and beyond under a new name; College and Career Prep (CCP)In addition, all students must pass the California High School Exit Exam beginning in their sophomore (10th grade) year in order to graduate.
- Athletics
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Aliso Niguel's sports teams are known as the Wolverines. Most of them compete in the South Coast League, in the highest divisions of the California Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section. From 1998 to 2005, they were members of the Sea View League. Before that, the Pacific Coast League. The high school's football & track stadium was upgraded with artificial turf football and a 9-lane all-weather track in late 2006.
- Basketball
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The Wolverines boys team won the Southern Section I-A title in 2005.
- Mens Cross Country
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Aliso Niguel's Men's cross country team competes in the South Coast League. Aliso's cross country program has been relatively successful in its past years, most notably under the coaching program of John Walsh. In recent years, the team has produced several outstanding athletes and teams. The cross country team is directed by John Walsh, a cross country coach and a biology teacher/two-time ironman finisher. The team competes in races that are three miles long, and have made it to CIF prelims in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Aliso Niguel is currently top 10 in Orange County. Aliso Niguel is ranked 2nd in the South Coast League(9-1) losing only to State Champs team Dana Hills High School. Aliso is looking very promising for winning a League Title for their abundant seniors ranked number 1 in numerous invitationals and in League.
- Girls Cross Country
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Aliso Girls Cross Country team is led by Madame Hornacek who teaches French and Stacy Middlebrook who teaches American Government. The 2008 season featured up and coming freshman Danica Wyson who was able to go to the state championships.
- Football
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In 1996, their third year of existence, the Wolverine football team went 14-0, winning the Pacific Coast League, and then the Southern Section Division VIII championship, defeating Pacifica High School in the title game. In the 2008 season, the football team was unable to win a single game. However, the team strives to change that record in the upcoming 2009 season. So far, they have gone 2-3 which they haven't been able to accomplish in two years. thumb|400px|right|Aliso Niguel mascot
- Track and Field
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The Track and Field team is coached by John Walsh and Stacy Middlebrook and competes in the competitive South Coast Conference, which features perennial powerhouses Mission Viejo and Dana Hills. However, the team continues to produce strong athletes such as 2006 800 state champion Haley Lawrence, who runs for NAU, and 2008 800 state finalist Michael Andraszczyk(2008 sprinter of the year), who runs for BYU. Besides these large school division 1 athletes, Aliso is also represented on many smaller school track teams, such as sprinter Jonathan Kilson(2009 sprinter of the year) who now attends MT.SAC college, jumper Danielle Cox of Concordia, sprinters Nichole Buck, Alexis Deol, and Kirsten Allen of USD, polevaulter Lauren Lask of Westmont, polevaulter Matt Streshinky of CMS, sprinter Justin Asharin of CUA, Distance STUART GUYOT of OCC.
- Pep Squad
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Both cheer squads (Varsity and Junior Varsity) have won national and international titles.2005 Season: The Aliso varsity cheer team won the USA first place national title.2006 Season: The varsity cheer team won second at USA and the JV cheer team won first. In the 2006-2007 season the Varsity cheer team took home first place in every competition except for one in their division (small varsity coed level 5); including the USA national title grand champions.2007 Season: The varsity cheer team received seven first place victories along with one second place title. Almost undefeated, the team received first at USA Nationals(Small Co-Ed Level 5), and first place on the international level in Hawai.2008 season: The JV and varsity cheer teams received 1st and 2nd places at all competitions during this season. Both JV and varsity also received 1st place at the National Competition: "King of the Bleachers".
- Soccer
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The girl's team won the CIF-SS Division I Championship in 20012006 Season: In the season, both the girl's and boy's soccer teams advanced to CIF. The boy's team, ranking first in South Coast League, made it one game farther in the playoffs than the girls team. The boys team then lost 1-0 to Milikan, one of the highest ranked teams in the state.2007-2008 Season The boys were South Coast League champions, while the girls finished second. The boys team lost in their second game of CIF play. The girls lost, in quadruple overtime, in the semifinals to Long Beach Wilson High School, who went on to be state champions.
- Tennis
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The tennis team at Aliso Niguel High School won a first place victory in 1997, the school also reached first place in 1998 and the latest significant finishing for the school was second place in 2000. The school's victories are on the Pacific Coast League.
- Volleyball
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Aliso Niguel has a volleyball program with Varsity and Junior Varsity teams.
- Wrestling
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This school hosts a high school wrestling team for all high school grade levels. The team made it to the CIF regional duals. They also had 3 wrestlers make it to the Masters tournament in the 06-07 season. In the 07-08 season, the Wolverines finished in a tie for third in the South Coast League, led by Senior Eric Willens who finished eighth in CIF.
- Swimming/Water Polo
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This school hosts a high school swim team for all grade levels. The team is coached by Ryan Cox, Eric Lynch, and Ryan Mock.
- This school hosts a high school water polo team for all grade levels. The team is coached by Justin Ferdinand and Eric Lynch. The Boy's JV team went 20-1 and 5-0 in League in 2008. The Boys Varsity team placed last, after a hard fought season. The Varsity squad lost each league game by 1 or 2 goals, making it one of the toughest season yet.left|thumb|250px|ANHS Lacrosse
- Men's Lacrosse
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In 2007, the Wolverines founded their co-ed club team. 2008 brought official CIF status and the teams were then divided into the Boys (Varsity & JV) & Lady Lacrosse teams. 2008 boys’ team had 2 members on the county All-Star team and 3 second team nominations.
- Ladies Lacrosse
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In 2008 the previously co-ed lacrosse team was divided into a men's team and women's team. In the 2008 season the Ladies Lacrosse team made it to CIF playoffs. For the 2009 season a Junior Varsity team was added, and a Freshmen Sophomore team is planned for 2010.
- Softball
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In the 2009 season, the Wolverine Girls Softball program won the South Coast League and made it to the second round of CIF. This team was coached by Joe Miller, but he was fired.
- Fine & Practical Arts
- Bands
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The high school band consists of instruments in the brass, woodwind, and percussion families: trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, French horn, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, flute, xylophone, bass drum, Timpani, snare drum, and chimes. right|thumb|250px|ANHS Band
- Concert Band
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Starting in the 2007-2008 school year, the concert band is the starting point in the band program for incoming students. Students may take marching band as a dual enrollment in their schedule for physical education credits needed to graduate high school.
- Symphonic Band
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Also starting in the 2007-2008 school year, the symphonic band was created. It is a intermediate level band which performs various pieces of music from many types of backgrounds. Students may take marching band as a dual enrollment in their schedule for physical education credits needed to graduate high school.
- Wind Ensemble
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The wind ensemble is the most advanced and the highest level class in all of the band classes. Wind ensemble students may also take marching band as a dual enrollment in their schedule for physical education credits needed to graduate high school.
- Marching Band
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The Aliso Niguel Marching Band is a representative class that rehearses outdoors. As part of the Western Band Association, they perform in four marching competitions and participate in the WBA finals. They also perform in the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade in the second Saturday in the month of December every year.
- In 2008 the marching band took first place in state.
- Orchestra
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Aliso Niguel hosts a orchestra program. The class consists of string instruments: cello, violin, viola, and double bass.
- The orchestra performs for many local communities. They have also created a mass performance with the Aliso Niguel band program adding up to a total of at least 200 players combined. Their mass performances are usually held in their large gymnasium. Aliso Niguel's orchestra is currently directed by Albert Jeung and Mike Corrigan.
- Choir
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There are four choir classes at Aliso Niguel. The four classes are A Cappella, Madrigal, Men's Ensemble, and Women's Ensemble.
- Two of the choir classes, Men's Ensemble and Women's Ensemble, are open for all students to join. The second most advanced choir is the Bella Cantore, which is an auditioned choir for women. The most advanced choir is Madrigals, the school's chamber choir.
- The advanced Madrigals and Bella Cantore choirs were invited to perform in Carnegie Hall in the spring of 2007. They toured New York and also sang in St. Paul's Chapel. Both choirs regularly perform at festivals in nearby universities, including the University of Redlands, Chapman University, the Soka University of America, California State University, Long Beach and UCSB. They perform in four concerts of their own each year and in the choral department's Coffeehouse Cabaret.
- Drama
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The Aliso Niguel Drama Department has grown in the last four years. Recent performances include "The Wingless Butterfly", "Bat Boy the Musical", "Smile the Musical", "The Skin of our Teeth", "The Crucible", "Seussical the Musical", "Rehearsal for Murder", and "Urinetown".The drama department's awards include 3rd place spirit award winners at the fullerton theater festival, several Macy award winners, Cappie award winners and Cappie nominated performances.
- Controversies
- Dance ban
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In September 2006, the Principal Charles Salter canceled the remainder of all school dances in response to students "freak dancing" and arriving drunk to the first dance of the year. Salter stated that he would bring back dances if, and only if, students and parents could cooperate and develop a solution to "the problem." This story initially received regional attention. The story gained widespread, national attention later that month when the school's annual Homecoming Dance was banned.The dance ban was covered by the BBC, NPR The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet and the national news program Geraldo at Large.The principal later reinstated the dances with explicit rules that were developed by five parents, five students and three school officials. The first dance under the new rules was the Winter Formal of February 2007. These rules include the type of dancing students are allowed to do. Also, in order to attend any school dance, students and their parents must sign a dance contract before buying a ticket. Although students are upset over losing their Homecoming dance, many are relieved that the ban has been lifted and hope that this will not happen again.
- Vandalism
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On June 17, 2007, Charles Salter reported school vandalism that occurred in the middle of the previous night. Ten trees near the football field were completely or partially cut down, costing the school district $10,000 to rehabilitate the situation.
- Assembly cancellation
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On October 19, 2007, Charles Salter ordered an immediate cancellation to one of two assemblies in the school's gym. Some students threw eggs, tortillas, and crickets toward other spectators. In response, proctors called an immediate evacuation of the gym and to have students return to their classes.
- Schedule Change
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In the 2008-2009 school year, Principal Charles Salter announced he would change the immensely popular block schedule in which Mondays have 1-6 periods each lasting 52 minutes on a normal school day, and 40 minutes on a minimum day; Tuesdays and Thursdays have periods 2,4,6 lasting for one hour and forty minutes with a forty minute study period, known as tutorial, and Wednesdays and Fridays having periods 1,3,5 with tutorial thrown in. He would switch it to one that had three Monday schedules a week, and only two block days a week. Many students protested this through a booth at Club Rush, a Facebook group entitled ANHS Student Union, and a petition that garnered 1734 signatures . Teachers were also opposed to this, with only one department head being for the switch. In the end, Principal Salter decided that the schedule would remain the same in the 2009-2010 year provided that the student's keep up their grades and improve on the STAR test, a California standardized test administrated to students from kindergarten to 11th grade (Junior year).
- Associated Student Body
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right|thumb|250px|ANHS ASB 2007-2008
- Aliso Niguel's Associated Student Body, often referred to as ASB, is one of the longest-running, school funded organizations. This organization is made of approximately thirty (30) people who have been appointed and elected to their positions to serve the student body run as successfully as possible. Within the ASB, there are three separate components that work to ensure student government operations, student activities, and student representation. The Executive Council, which is made up of the ASB President, ASB Vice President, ASB Treasurer, and ASB Secretary, who preside over the formal business meetings. This council works to complete all of the administrative work including passing disbursements and paid checks, holding monthly Senate meetings, recording minutes, and appointing the different commissioner positions and class representative positions. The second component of ASB are the Commissioners, who focus their efforts solely upon student life and student activities much as the ASB focus is. The Commissioner positions are as followed: Arts & Athletics, Activities, Digital Media, Community Relations, Publicity, Academic Relations, Pep, Audio Technology, Video Technology, Staff Relations, Marketing, and Clubs. Each specific position is in charge of a series of tasks or events. And, the final component of the ASB are the Class Council, which are the Class President and Class Representative of each class (9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th grade). They work to support their class through special events and attend PTSA and Site Council meetings as student representatives.
- Clubs & Campus Organizations
- California Scholarship Federation (or CSF) is another club that looks highly upon those who have a minimum of 3.3 GPA, while completing a given amount of community service to the surrounding area.
- National Honor Society (or NHS) is also a long-running club that looks highly upon those who have a minimum of 3.8 GPA as well as a good amount of community service.
- Academic Decathlon (or Ac Dec) is a club coached by Jessica Burch, a sophomore history teacher, that prepares students for an academic competition with ten events. In the 2008-2009 year, the varsity academic decathlon team placed first in Division 2. J. Burch has said that next year her goal is to make it to the state competition. The theme for the 2007-2008 competition was American Civil War. The 2008-2009 competition focused on Mexico with the super quiz (the most important test) being about evolutionary biology. The 2009-2010 year will be on the French Revolution with the literature selection being A Tale of Two Cities.
- Young Democrats of America (or YDA) is the only partisan political club on campus. Led by Brandon McGrody, it is popular with both democrats and Republicans.
- Science Olympiad an academic competition that builds or memorizes things related to science. They compete at the end of winter, and although they almost always place in the top ten in Orange County, they lose to Troy High School , the national champion.
- The French Club has been a strong club since the inception of the school. Its purpose is to allow students the opportunity to enjoy French culture. The club sets itself the goal of having one major activity per month throughout the school year. All students are welcome and do not have to be enrolled in a French class. 2009-10 has been a very strong year with over 130 student members.
- Gay-Straight Alliance (or GSA) is a club that promotes harmony between those with different sexual orientations.
- Poetry club teaches students to appreciate and write poetry.
- Mountain Biking club leads students interested in the sport through rides throughout trails in Orange County, but primarily rides through the trail just outside of the school.
- Brighten Your Day club intends to spread the optimism through-out Aliso Niguel's student body. It performs charity acts including going to the Ronald McDonald House and distributing gift bags.
- True North is an evangelical club that talks about how Jesus Christ will save anyone who "knows" him.
- Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) is dedicated to the debate of political issues with the debaters ranging from die-hard conservatives, to bleeding-heart liberals
- Aliso Running is founded upon the principal that running along the beautiful Aliso Creek trails can be a very enriching experience, while still allowing students to get exercise and meet new people every Friday after school.
- Working Wardrobes is a branch off of a large organization where people donate clothes to unprivileged people, like girls in need of prom dress and such.
- In addition, there are many more clubs operating around the campus
- Notable Alumni
- Sasha Cohen, Olympic figure skater
- Ivan Koumaev, participant on So You Think You Can Dance
- Derek Lee Rock, drummer for ska band Suburban Legends
- Skip Schumaker, Major League Baseball Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals
- References & External Links
- Aliso Niguel Homepage
- GreatSchools.net
- Aliso Niguel NHS
- Aliso Niguel Girls Volleyball Homepage
- Aliso Niguel Football Homepage
- Aliso Niguel Awards
- Wolverine Wrestling
- Instrumental Music Program
- Boys Lacrosse Program
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- Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
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