Capistrano valley high school
Encyclopedia
Capistrano Valley High School (often called Capo Valley High School or CVHS) is a public high school
at the southern border of Mission Viejo, California
that belongs to the Capistrano Unified School District
. It is set on a hilltop overlooking the I-5
freeway corridor and Saddleback Mountain. It is located on Via Escolar, off the Avery exit of the I-5 freeway. The school attendance boundaries primarily serve students from eastern, southern, and northern Mission Viejo (the entire portion of the city in CUSD) and a small northern portion of San Juan Capistrano
. The school is ranked as number 488 in Newsweek's 2008 list of the top 1,300 high schools in the nation. By this standard, CVHS falls in the top 2.5% of US high schools.
after San Clemente and Dana Hills
High Schools. The campus and buildings have expanded through the years; notable additions include two wings attached to the original main building, a pool, a gym, and a two story M Building.
CVHS experienced several population shifts as the district opened the new schools of Aliso Niguel
and Tesoro
with the building boom in southern Orange County
. Student attendance shifted between these schools as district boundaries were re-drawn with each new school addition. The 2006-2007 school year was the last year that San Juan Capistrano freshmen students enrolled at CVHS. In the 2007-2008 school year most SJC freshmen attended the district's new San Juan Hills High School. A few San Juan Capistrano students who live close to the Mission Viejo/San Juan city borders may continue to attend CVHS.
There was controversy over the addition of San Juan Hills High School
which would serve San Juan Capistrano
, and CVHS would serve solely Mission Viejo with the new boundaries the district settled on. In the 2005-2006 school year over 2,800 students attended CVHS. The freshman class that entered in 2006 is the largest ever.
CVHS is a California Distinguished School
, National Blue Ribbon Finalist, and was ranked 480 in Newsweek's 2008 list of the top 1,300 schools nationwide. This puts CVHS in the top 2.5 percent of high schools in the nation. By the list, it is the highest ranked for the school district and second highest rank between both Saddleback Valley and Capistrano Unified that serve south Orange County
.
Due to ongoing problems at San Juan Hills High School, Capistrano Unified appointed CVHS Principal Tom Ressler to that campus after 22 years at Capistrano Valley. Ressler began his job at SJHHS in the fall of 2008 and Deni Christensen, the former Vice Principal of Guidance was appointed by the district as the new principal of Capistrano Valley in the fall of 2008.
The average class size is 34 students. There are 93 teachers and 90 have a full credential. 4.3% of the teachers hold doctorates, 52% hold a masters.
CVHS's rivals are Tesoro High School
and crosstown rival Mission Viejo High School.
CVHS' second wings branch from an open area that is centered by a two story library and career center. The Activities office is located in this hall. The school has six computer labs and 400 computers for student use.
Arrangements of Main Building: Off the main mall/ quad of the school are the A, B, and C wings. The A wing is to the left of the main entrance and is home to the administration, guidance, and attendance offices. The B wing is located to the right of the main entrance and has all fine art classrooms and music rooms. The C wing has eight classrooms that are electives and ROP courses like auto shop, photography, dance, and drama. Adjacent to the mall is an open area with a career center in the center. Off this area are the D, J, and E wings. The D wing has eight science classrooms and a greenhouse. The J wing has foreign language classes and a computer lab. The E wing consists of six math classrooms and a computer lab. On the lower level surrounding the library are the H, K, F, and G wings. The H wing has twelve social science classrooms, the K wing has foreign language classrooms, and the F wing has thirteen English classrooms. The G wing is for special education and is in a more separate area with individualized rooms.
Arrangement of Outside Buildings: In addition to the main building, a two story brick building was built in 2006 called the "M Building." It replaced sixteen older portable classrooms. The M Building has social science classrooms, four state of the art science rooms, and math classrooms. Off the upper level "senior parking lot" are 20 portable classrooms. These rooms are primarily English classrooms, but there is a mix of math, science, and ROP classes as well.
There are two gyms, the "large gym" and "small gym", that were newly remodeled in 2006. Capistrano Valley has 180, 768 square feet (71.3 m²) in permanent buildings and 19, 680 square feet (63.2 m²) in relocatable buildings. There are 200, 448 square feet (41.6 m²) of buildings on the entire campus. Capistrano Valley has the least amount of square footage in portable buildings of the district high schools, and also the least amount of total square footage (though this school has the lowest enrollment in the district).
CVHS also boasts one of the largest high school swimming pools at 50 meters long. There are three soccer fields, six tennis courts, two softball fields, two baseball fields, and a turf football field and track in the stadium.
Counselors work with students to help them stay college bound if that is their desire. Strong emphasis is put on college preparatory courses. CVHS is part of the AAA (Accelerated Academic Achievement) Program. The school's API is 843, making it a CA Exemplary High School.
CVHS is the district's northern magnet campus due to the presence of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the most established AP programs in the northern portion of the district. CVHS has had a pass rate of 96% for IB.
18 AP courses are offered in: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, World History, European History, American History, American Government and Politics/Economics, History of Art, Psychology, Statistics, Calculus, French, German, and Spanish.
15 IB courses are offered as: English III SL, English IV HL, Biology HL, Chemistry SL, Physics SL, History of the Americas HL, Math Studies SL, Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, French SL, German SL, Spanish SL, Spanish HL, Psychology SL, and Visual Arts SL.
Capistrano Valley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The school competes in the South Coast League against Aliso Niguel
, San Clemente, Mission Viejo
, Dana Hills
, and Tesoro
High Schools. Approximately 40 percent of students participate in competitive athletics. In 2010 CVHS will become a part of the Coast View Conference split into the South Coast League and Sea View League. CVHS will have various sports competing in each of the leagues depending on the sport. Laguna Hills High, San Juan Hills High, Trabuco Hills High, and El Toro High will join the current South Coast League teams to form the conference.
The men's surf team were the champions in the men's longboard competition in 2008. The girl's surf team placed third in the women's shortboard championships in 2008.
The 2003 women's varsity volleyball team ended the season as South Coast League Champions, ranked as the third best team in Orange County, and competing to C.I.F. third round.
The 2007-2008 Cougar men's basketball team were the South Coast League Champions, ending the season ranked number six in Orange County. The team competed in the second round of C.I.F playoffs.
CVHS's Baseball Club is the school's most successful, high profile sport. The 2009 baseball team, following more than 25 years of tradition, defeated ESISON High School 1-0 in the CIF Championship game played at Angel Stadium to capture CVHS's 6th CIF Championship in baseball. The CVHS Varsity Baseball Club has been coached by Robert "Bob" Zamora since the school opened in 1977. Coach Zamora is also known as Coach "Z" by current and former players. The Cougars are a perfect 6-0 in CIF Championship games and have won CIF Titles in each decade since the 1980s. The Cougar baseball program's dominance of prep baseball in Southern California started with the capturing of the school's first CIF Championship in 1983. CIF Championships were also captured by the 1987, 1991, 2000 & 2001 squads. The 1987 team remains the standout team in the school's history, posting a school best 27-3 record. The 1991 title was obtained by a Wild Card entrance into the CIF Playoffs and the 2000 & 2001 squads were the first CIF back to back title winners in school history. The baseball team has also had a penchant for turning out many college scholarships athletes and professionals as well as one U.S. Olympian (Don August 1984).
The 2010 men's and women's varsity cross country teams placed first place in the South Coast League. Both teams qualified for CIF and it was the first time the boy's team made CIF in thirteen years.
The 2008 men's volleyball team again was a top performer and placed 1st in league and was ranked number six in all of Orange County.
For the first time ever in school history, the 2008 men's swim team took first place in league going undefeated and proceeded to CIF.
The new lacrosse team in the spring of 2008 placed third in league as the sport grows in popularity of the west coast.
The winter 2008-2009 men's basketball team placed 3rd in the South Coast League and had an overall record of 18-10, advancing to CIF.
The summer 2008-2009 women's water polo team had a point tie for 3rd place in the South Coast League, advancing to CIF for the first time since 2006.
The winter 2008-2009 men's soccer team placed 3rd in league.
The 2009 spring Men's Swim Team under Coach Steven J. Yancey ended its season ranked #1 in all of Orange County, went undefeated, as well as two years undefeated in duel meet competition, won the Belmont Invitational Relay Meet, and was victorious in becoming the champions in CIF Southern Section Division 1 swim. Additionally, the Men's Swim Team became back to back South Coast League Champions (2008, 2009).
CVHS was awarded the high school with the best character and sportsmanship in 2006 by CIF.
Taylor Lark set the JV assist record during the 2001-2002 men's basketball season. The record still stands today and may never be broken. He went on to a fine career in BYU intramural activities.
The 2010 freshman football team had a perfect 10-0 record, and were Sea View league champions. No CVHS team before them ever had a 10-0 record, including Varsity and JV teams.
The 2011 boys JV tennis team went as undefeated South Coast League champions with a 11-0 record.
The Black and Gold Brigade currently competes in the SCJA(Southern California Judges Asosciation) 3A division and has qualified for all SCJA championships since 2002. The marching band earned first place in the 2A division in 2002. It also won first place in the 1A division in 2006 for colorguard, band, visual, and percussion categories.
The Black and Gold Brigade has back to back SCJA state championships, taking 2009 State Champs, as well as Most Outstanding Solosit(Jeremy Burciaga, Trumpet), High Music, and High Overall. The Black and Gold Brigade also has taken 2010 State Champs, with High(Best) Music, High(Best) Visual, High(Best) General(Overall Effect), and High(Best) Percussion.
The winter guard team placed first in division AA at the Winter Guard Association of Southern California contest at Tesoro High School in February 2007. In the championships, the team placed sixth in "Intermediate Yellow A" at CVHS in April 2007.
On October 13, 2007, the Black and Gold Brigade came in first place for Auxiliary, Music, and Drumline categories at the prestigious Poway Marching Band Invitational in Division 2A. On October 11, 2008, the Black and Gold Brigade came in first place for Percussion, Visual, and Drum Major categories at the Fullerton High School Marching Band Competition. Also during the event, they won 1st place in their division
This year, Capistrano Valley High School has two wind bands and three string orchestras. The top band and top orchestra also double as an IB music class, exposing the students to ethnomusicology and music theory. There is also a blog for CVHS music and all of the classes included in that category at http://cvhsmusictalk.blogspot.com. It offers CVHS students or anybody in general to talk about the musical classes held at Capistrano Valley High School and any interests that those people might have about music in general.
The Drama Department is accompanied by Capo Valley's three choirs. The chamber choir or top group is called Camerata. The treble choir, which consists of women only, is named Tapestry. To top off the program is CV Choir, which is the entry level choir, which turns down no applicants.
Students can join a variety of other music classes like pop-strings and jazz band. Also in the spring is the spring musical where the orchestra, the band, the choir, and drama are combined to perform a popular musical. CVHS also has an active ComedySportz
team, which competes with other local schools in improvisation-based games.
attention, biology
teacher John Peloza was accused of proselytizing and teaching creationism
instead of evolution
, in violation of the state curriculum. Peloza gave a student a Bible
and told another Jewish student that she would go to hell
if she did not convert
to Christianity
.
Peloza was not fired, but was reprimanded by the principal and ordered to teach evolution and refrain from proselytizing. Peloza sued the school district
in federal court
, as well as several teachers and administrators, including principal Thomas R. Anthony; vice-principal Ross Velderraine, history
teachers James Corbett and Paul Pflueger, and science teachers Ray Panici and William Redding. In addition to state tort
claims, Peloza alleged that the school district
unconstitutionally required him to teach "evolutionism" and that evolutionism is a religious belief system. He also alleged that the defendants attempted by harassment and intimidation to force him to teach evolutionism because of a class-based animus against practicing Christians in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). Peloza asked for 5 million dollars in damages. Peloza received assistance from the Rutherford Institute
and the American Center for Law and Justice
.
Finding the lawsuit frivolous
, a United States district court
judge
dismissed Peloza's lawsuit on January 16, 1992, awarding attorney's fees to the defendant
s. Peloza was reassigned to teach physical education
instead of science. On October 4, 1994 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of Peloza's lawsuit, but reversed the award of attorney's fees. The Supreme Court of the United States
refused to hear Peloza's appeal in 1995. Peloza continued to teach physical education at Capistrano for a number of years.
teacher Dr. James Corbett. The suit alleges that Corbett had violated the First Amendment
's Establishment Clause that prohibits government from advancing religion or promoting hostility toward religion.
The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and attorney fees, alleges that Corbett typically spent "a large portion of class time propagating his personal views to a captive audience," including criticism of Christianity
and traditional Christian viewpoints on topics such as birth control, teenage sex, homosexuality and erectile dysfunction. In response to the lawsuit, numerous former students of Corbett defended him, holding a protest at the school and forming support groups.
In March, U.S. District Court Judge James Selna denied the district's motion to dismiss. Shortly after the suit was filed, the California Teachers Association
intervened as defendants under FRCP
24(b).
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
at the southern border of Mission Viejo, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
that belongs to the Capistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District is the second largest school district in Orange County, California, the 12th largest in California and the 82nd largest in the United States. The district currently has 51,512 students...
. It is set on a hilltop overlooking the I-5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
freeway corridor and Saddleback Mountain. It is located on Via Escolar, off the Avery exit of the I-5 freeway. The school attendance boundaries primarily serve students from eastern, southern, and northern Mission Viejo (the entire portion of the city in CUSD) and a small northern portion of San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, California
San Juan Capistrano is a city in southern Orange County, California, located approximately southeast of Downtown Santa Ana. The current OMB metropolitan designation for San Juan Capistrano and the Orange County Area is “Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA.” The population was 34,593 at the 2010 census,...
. The school is ranked as number 488 in Newsweek's 2008 list of the top 1,300 high schools in the nation. By this standard, CVHS falls in the top 2.5% of US high schools.
History
CVHS opened in 1977 with one main building and 1,326 students. It was the third high school to be opened in Capistrano Unified School DistrictCapistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District is the second largest school district in Orange County, California, the 12th largest in California and the 82nd largest in the United States. The district currently has 51,512 students...
after San Clemente and Dana Hills
Dana Hills High School
Dana Hills High School is a high school in Dana Point, California. It is one of the oldest high schools in South Orange County, having opened in 1973...
High Schools. The campus and buildings have expanded through the years; notable additions include two wings attached to the original main building, a pool, a gym, and a two story M Building.
CVHS experienced several population shifts as the district opened the new schools of Aliso Niguel
Aliso Niguel High School
Aliso Niguel High School is a high school located in the city of Aliso Viejo, California, U.S. 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...
and Tesoro
Tesoro High School
Tesoro High School is a public school found in the southern Orange County area of Las Flores, California. Established in the fall of 2001, Tesoro is 1 of 7 high schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. As of the 2009-2010 year, Tesoro serves nearly 3,000 students in grades 9-12...
with the building boom in southern Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. Student attendance shifted between these schools as district boundaries were re-drawn with each new school addition. The 2006-2007 school year was the last year that San Juan Capistrano freshmen students enrolled at CVHS. In the 2007-2008 school year most SJC freshmen attended the district's new San Juan Hills High School. A few San Juan Capistrano students who live close to the Mission Viejo/San Juan city borders may continue to attend CVHS.
There was controversy over the addition of San Juan Hills High School
San Juan Hills High School
San Juan Hills High School is a high school located in San Juan Capistrano, California, and it is the sixth high school of the Capistrano Unified School District...
which would serve San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, California
San Juan Capistrano is a city in southern Orange County, California, located approximately southeast of Downtown Santa Ana. The current OMB metropolitan designation for San Juan Capistrano and the Orange County Area is “Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA.” The population was 34,593 at the 2010 census,...
, and CVHS would serve solely Mission Viejo with the new boundaries the district settled on. In the 2005-2006 school year over 2,800 students attended CVHS. The freshman class that entered in 2006 is the largest ever.
CVHS is a California Distinguished School
California Distinguished School
A California Distinguished School is an award given by the California State Board of Education to public schools within the state that best represent exemplary and quality educational programs. Approximately five percent of California schools are awarded this honor each year following a selection...
, National Blue Ribbon Finalist, and was ranked 480 in Newsweek's 2008 list of the top 1,300 schools nationwide. This puts CVHS in the top 2.5 percent of high schools in the nation. By the list, it is the highest ranked for the school district and second highest rank between both Saddleback Valley and Capistrano Unified that serve south Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
.
Due to ongoing problems at San Juan Hills High School, Capistrano Unified appointed CVHS Principal Tom Ressler to that campus after 22 years at Capistrano Valley. Ressler began his job at SJHHS in the fall of 2008 and Deni Christensen, the former Vice Principal of Guidance was appointed by the district as the new principal of Capistrano Valley in the fall of 2008.
The average class size is 34 students. There are 93 teachers and 90 have a full credential. 4.3% of the teachers hold doctorates, 52% hold a masters.
CVHS's rivals are Tesoro High School
Tesoro High School
Tesoro High School is a public school found in the southern Orange County area of Las Flores, California. Established in the fall of 2001, Tesoro is 1 of 7 high schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. As of the 2009-2010 year, Tesoro serves nearly 3,000 students in grades 9-12...
and crosstown rival Mission Viejo High School.
Facilities
Capistrano Valley has a unique brick architecture, seldom seen in the stucco pop up buildings that cover most of Southern California. There is a main building that has two story wings projecting from the main indoor quad area known as the "mall." From the mall are the administration offices, the food service area called the "Cougar Grill," the teachers' lounge, all centered by a stage where music and games are played during events like spirit week or before a school dance.CVHS' second wings branch from an open area that is centered by a two story library and career center. The Activities office is located in this hall. The school has six computer labs and 400 computers for student use.
Arrangements of Main Building: Off the main mall/ quad of the school are the A, B, and C wings. The A wing is to the left of the main entrance and is home to the administration, guidance, and attendance offices. The B wing is located to the right of the main entrance and has all fine art classrooms and music rooms. The C wing has eight classrooms that are electives and ROP courses like auto shop, photography, dance, and drama. Adjacent to the mall is an open area with a career center in the center. Off this area are the D, J, and E wings. The D wing has eight science classrooms and a greenhouse. The J wing has foreign language classes and a computer lab. The E wing consists of six math classrooms and a computer lab. On the lower level surrounding the library are the H, K, F, and G wings. The H wing has twelve social science classrooms, the K wing has foreign language classrooms, and the F wing has thirteen English classrooms. The G wing is for special education and is in a more separate area with individualized rooms.
Arrangement of Outside Buildings: In addition to the main building, a two story brick building was built in 2006 called the "M Building." It replaced sixteen older portable classrooms. The M Building has social science classrooms, four state of the art science rooms, and math classrooms. Off the upper level "senior parking lot" are 20 portable classrooms. These rooms are primarily English classrooms, but there is a mix of math, science, and ROP classes as well.
There are two gyms, the "large gym" and "small gym", that were newly remodeled in 2006. Capistrano Valley has 180, 768 square feet (71.3 m²) in permanent buildings and 19, 680 square feet (63.2 m²) in relocatable buildings. There are 200, 448 square feet (41.6 m²) of buildings on the entire campus. Capistrano Valley has the least amount of square footage in portable buildings of the district high schools, and also the least amount of total square footage (though this school has the lowest enrollment in the district).
CVHS also boasts one of the largest high school swimming pools at 50 meters long. There are three soccer fields, six tennis courts, two softball fields, two baseball fields, and a turf football field and track in the stadium.
Academics
CVHS is one of two high schools in Capistrano Unified School District and one of 180 in the USA and Canada to be an International Baccalaureate School and offers the Academy of Technology Math and Science.Counselors work with students to help them stay college bound if that is their desire. Strong emphasis is put on college preparatory courses. CVHS is part of the AAA (Accelerated Academic Achievement) Program. The school's API is 843, making it a CA Exemplary High School.
CVHS is the district's northern magnet campus due to the presence of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the most established AP programs in the northern portion of the district. CVHS has had a pass rate of 96% for IB.
18 AP courses are offered in: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, World History, European History, American History, American Government and Politics/Economics, History of Art, Psychology, Statistics, Calculus, French, German, and Spanish.
15 IB courses are offered as: English III SL, English IV HL, Biology HL, Chemistry SL, Physics SL, History of the Americas HL, Math Studies SL, Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, French SL, German SL, Spanish SL, Spanish HL, Psychology SL, and Visual Arts SL.
Capistrano Valley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Sports
CVHS offers sports programs in football, water polo, swimming, cross country, volleyball, golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, track and field, lacrosse, surf, softball, cheerleading, and wrestling.The school competes in the South Coast League against Aliso Niguel
Aliso Niguel High School
Aliso Niguel High School is a high school located in the city of Aliso Viejo, California, U.S. 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...
, San Clemente, Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo High School
Mission Viejo High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Mission Viejo, California, United States, as part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1966. Students within its attendance boundaries live in western Mission...
, Dana Hills
Dana Hills High School
Dana Hills High School is a high school in Dana Point, California. It is one of the oldest high schools in South Orange County, having opened in 1973...
, and Tesoro
Tesoro High School
Tesoro High School is a public school found in the southern Orange County area of Las Flores, California. Established in the fall of 2001, Tesoro is 1 of 7 high schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. As of the 2009-2010 year, Tesoro serves nearly 3,000 students in grades 9-12...
High Schools. Approximately 40 percent of students participate in competitive athletics. In 2010 CVHS will become a part of the Coast View Conference split into the South Coast League and Sea View League. CVHS will have various sports competing in each of the leagues depending on the sport. Laguna Hills High, San Juan Hills High, Trabuco Hills High, and El Toro High will join the current South Coast League teams to form the conference.
The men's surf team were the champions in the men's longboard competition in 2008. The girl's surf team placed third in the women's shortboard championships in 2008.
The 2003 women's varsity volleyball team ended the season as South Coast League Champions, ranked as the third best team in Orange County, and competing to C.I.F. third round.
The 2007-2008 Cougar men's basketball team were the South Coast League Champions, ending the season ranked number six in Orange County. The team competed in the second round of C.I.F playoffs.
CVHS's Baseball Club is the school's most successful, high profile sport. The 2009 baseball team, following more than 25 years of tradition, defeated ESISON High School 1-0 in the CIF Championship game played at Angel Stadium to capture CVHS's 6th CIF Championship in baseball. The CVHS Varsity Baseball Club has been coached by Robert "Bob" Zamora since the school opened in 1977. Coach Zamora is also known as Coach "Z" by current and former players. The Cougars are a perfect 6-0 in CIF Championship games and have won CIF Titles in each decade since the 1980s. The Cougar baseball program's dominance of prep baseball in Southern California started with the capturing of the school's first CIF Championship in 1983. CIF Championships were also captured by the 1987, 1991, 2000 & 2001 squads. The 1987 team remains the standout team in the school's history, posting a school best 27-3 record. The 1991 title was obtained by a Wild Card entrance into the CIF Playoffs and the 2000 & 2001 squads were the first CIF back to back title winners in school history. The baseball team has also had a penchant for turning out many college scholarships athletes and professionals as well as one U.S. Olympian (Don August 1984).
The 2010 men's and women's varsity cross country teams placed first place in the South Coast League. Both teams qualified for CIF and it was the first time the boy's team made CIF in thirteen years.
The 2008 men's volleyball team again was a top performer and placed 1st in league and was ranked number six in all of Orange County.
For the first time ever in school history, the 2008 men's swim team took first place in league going undefeated and proceeded to CIF.
The new lacrosse team in the spring of 2008 placed third in league as the sport grows in popularity of the west coast.
The winter 2008-2009 men's basketball team placed 3rd in the South Coast League and had an overall record of 18-10, advancing to CIF.
The summer 2008-2009 women's water polo team had a point tie for 3rd place in the South Coast League, advancing to CIF for the first time since 2006.
The winter 2008-2009 men's soccer team placed 3rd in league.
The 2009 spring Men's Swim Team under Coach Steven J. Yancey ended its season ranked #1 in all of Orange County, went undefeated, as well as two years undefeated in duel meet competition, won the Belmont Invitational Relay Meet, and was victorious in becoming the champions in CIF Southern Section Division 1 swim. Additionally, the Men's Swim Team became back to back South Coast League Champions (2008, 2009).
CVHS was awarded the high school with the best character and sportsmanship in 2006 by CIF.
Taylor Lark set the JV assist record during the 2001-2002 men's basketball season. The record still stands today and may never be broken. He went on to a fine career in BYU intramural activities.
The 2010 freshman football team had a perfect 10-0 record, and were Sea View league champions. No CVHS team before them ever had a 10-0 record, including Varsity and JV teams.
The 2011 boys JV tennis team went as undefeated South Coast League champions with a 11-0 record.
Fine Arts Department
The Capistrano Valley Marching Band, known throughout Southern California as the Black and Gold Brigade, participates in competitive field tournaments, parades and home football games. The ensemble consists of woodwind, brass, colorguard, pit and drumline.The Black and Gold Brigade currently competes in the SCJA(Southern California Judges Asosciation) 3A division and has qualified for all SCJA championships since 2002. The marching band earned first place in the 2A division in 2002. It also won first place in the 1A division in 2006 for colorguard, band, visual, and percussion categories.
The Black and Gold Brigade has back to back SCJA state championships, taking 2009 State Champs, as well as Most Outstanding Solosit(Jeremy Burciaga, Trumpet), High Music, and High Overall. The Black and Gold Brigade also has taken 2010 State Champs, with High(Best) Music, High(Best) Visual, High(Best) General(Overall Effect), and High(Best) Percussion.
The winter guard team placed first in division AA at the Winter Guard Association of Southern California contest at Tesoro High School in February 2007. In the championships, the team placed sixth in "Intermediate Yellow A" at CVHS in April 2007.
On October 13, 2007, the Black and Gold Brigade came in first place for Auxiliary, Music, and Drumline categories at the prestigious Poway Marching Band Invitational in Division 2A. On October 11, 2008, the Black and Gold Brigade came in first place for Percussion, Visual, and Drum Major categories at the Fullerton High School Marching Band Competition. Also during the event, they won 1st place in their division
This year, Capistrano Valley High School has two wind bands and three string orchestras. The top band and top orchestra also double as an IB music class, exposing the students to ethnomusicology and music theory. There is also a blog for CVHS music and all of the classes included in that category at http://cvhsmusictalk.blogspot.com. It offers CVHS students or anybody in general to talk about the musical classes held at Capistrano Valley High School and any interests that those people might have about music in general.
The Drama Department is accompanied by Capo Valley's three choirs. The chamber choir or top group is called Camerata. The treble choir, which consists of women only, is named Tapestry. To top off the program is CV Choir, which is the entry level choir, which turns down no applicants.
Students can join a variety of other music classes like pop-strings and jazz band. Also in the spring is the spring musical where the orchestra, the band, the choir, and drama are combined to perform a popular musical. CVHS also has an active ComedySportz
ComedySportz
ComedySportz is an improvisational comedy organization started in 1984 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a group of local comedians including Dick Chudnow, Bob Orvis, Brian Green and many others.-Format:...
team, which competes with other local schools in improvisation-based games.
Notable alumni
- Kina GrannisKina GrannisKina Kasuya Grannis is a Japanese American guitarist and singer-songwriter. She is of Japanese, English, Irish, French, and German descent....
singer/songwriter whose songs have been played during the Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
and episodes of General HospitalGeneral HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
. She is currently an independent artist. biography at Kina Grannis website - Todd MarinovichTodd MarinovichTodd Marvin Marinovich is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League, and also in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League...
Former University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
& Los Angeles Raiders QuarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... - Tyler Matzek 2009 Left-handed pitcher signed a 3 million dollar deal with the Colorado Rockies
- William TellWilliam Tell (musician)William Tell is the former rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the Piano rock band Something Corporate. After leaving the band in 2004 for a solo career, William Tell was signed as a New Door Records solo artist...
, musician (Something CorporateSomething CorporateSomething Corporate is an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their current line-up includes pianist and vocalist Andrew McMahon, guitarist Josh Partington, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland....
and solo) - Randy TorresRandy TorresRandy Torres is a guitarist, keyboardist and background vocalist who previously played for the bands Project 86 and Crash Rickshaw. He has filled in as rhythm guitarist for the band Demon Hunter and as keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist and background vocalist for Anberlin on a recent tour...
musician (Project 86Project 86Project 86 is an American Christian rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1996. The line-up consists of bassist Steven Dail, vocalist and songwriter Andrew Schwab, and guitarist Randy Torres. The band has released seven studio albums, which have collectively sold over 500,000 units...
and Crash RickshawCrash RickshawCrash Rickshaw is a side project of the post-hardcore band Project 86. It was founded by Alex Albert, Stephen Dail and Joby Harris, with Randy Torres joining later. Crash Rickshaw released their self-titled album on August 16, 2001 on Tooth and Nail Records...
) He is also a studio guitar/bass player, producer and engineer - Brad DavisBrad Davis (baseball)Bradley Edward Davis is an American professional baseball catcher.-Early life:Davis graduated from Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California in 2001, where he was named CIF Player of the Year as a senior...
MLB Catcher for the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... - Michael RamirezMichael RamirezMichael Patrick Ramirez is a two-time American Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist. His cartoons typically present conservative viewpoints....
Pulitzer Prize-winning Editorial Cartoonist. Ramirez illustrated the school's 1979 class yearbook.
Litigation
Capistrano Valley has figured in several notable legal controversies over its history.Peloza v. Capistrano Unified School District
In a case that drew national mediaNews media (United States)
Mass media are the means through which information is transmitted to a large audience. This includes newspapers, television, radio, and more recently the Internet. Those who provide news and information, and the outlets for which they work, are known as the news media.Some high-quality news media...
attention, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
teacher John Peloza was accused of proselytizing and teaching creationism
Creationism
Creationism is the religious beliefthat humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe are the creation of a supernatural being, most often referring to the Abrahamic god. As science developed from the 18th century onwards, various views developed which aimed to reconcile science with the Genesis...
instead of evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
, in violation of the state curriculum. Peloza gave a student a Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and told another Jewish student that she would go to hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
if she did not convert
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Peloza was not fired, but was reprimanded by the principal and ordered to teach evolution and refrain from proselytizing. Peloza sued the school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
in federal court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
, as well as several teachers and administrators, including principal Thomas R. Anthony; vice-principal Ross Velderraine, history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
teachers James Corbett and Paul Pflueger, and science teachers Ray Panici and William Redding. In addition to state tort
Tort
A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a wrong that involves a breach of a civil duty owed to someone else. It is differentiated from a crime, which involves a breach of a duty owed to society in general...
claims, Peloza alleged that the school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
unconstitutionally required him to teach "evolutionism" and that evolutionism is a religious belief system. He also alleged that the defendants attempted by harassment and intimidation to force him to teach evolutionism because of a class-based animus against practicing Christians in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). Peloza asked for 5 million dollars in damages. Peloza received assistance from the Rutherford Institute
Rutherford Institute
The Rutherford Institute is a non-profit group based in Charlottesville, Virginia dedicated to the defense of civil liberties, human rights, and religious liberty. It was founded in 1982 by John W. Whitehead...
and the American Center for Law and Justice
American Center for Law and Justice
The American Center for Law & Justice is a conservative Christian, pro-life group that was founded in 1990 by evangelical Pat Robertson.-History:...
.
Finding the lawsuit frivolous
Frivolous litigation
In law, frivolous litigation is the practice of starting or carrying on law suits that, due to their lack of legal merit, have little to no chance of being won. The term does not include cases that may be lost due to other matters not related to legal merit...
, a United States district court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
dismissed Peloza's lawsuit on January 16, 1992, awarding attorney's fees to the defendant
Defendant
A defendant or defender is any party who is required to answer the complaint of a plaintiff or pursuer in a civil lawsuit before a court, or any party who has been formally charged or accused of violating a criminal statute...
s. Peloza was reassigned to teach physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
instead of science. On October 4, 1994 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of Peloza's lawsuit, but reversed the award of attorney's fees. The Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
refused to hear Peloza's appeal in 1995. Peloza continued to teach physical education at Capistrano for a number of years.
Farnan v. Capistrano Unified School District
In another case that has drawn national media coverage, on December 12, 2007 Chad Farnan, a student, represented by the Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group, filed suit against 19-year AP European HistoryAP European History
Advanced Placement European History is a course and examination offered by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
teacher Dr. James Corbett. The suit alleges that Corbett had violated the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
's Establishment Clause that prohibits government from advancing religion or promoting hostility toward religion.
The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and attorney fees, alleges that Corbett typically spent "a large portion of class time propagating his personal views to a captive audience," including criticism of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and traditional Christian viewpoints on topics such as birth control, teenage sex, homosexuality and erectile dysfunction. In response to the lawsuit, numerous former students of Corbett defended him, holding a protest at the school and forming support groups.
In March, U.S. District Court Judge James Selna denied the district's motion to dismiss. Shortly after the suit was filed, the California Teachers Association
California Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
intervened as defendants under FRCP
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern civil procedure in United States district courts. The FRCP are promulgated by the United States Supreme Court pursuant to the Rules Enabling Act, and then the United States Congress has 7 months to veto the rules promulgated or they become part of the...
24(b).
External links
- http://www.ocregister.com/news/corbett-students-high-1943118-school-capistrano
- Capistrano Valley High School's website
- Capistrano Valley Lacrosse Team Website
- Capistrano Valley High School's music website
- District's CVHS website
- CVHS Football website
- CVHS Cross Country
- CVHS Wrestling
- The Campus' Vimeo Channel