Casa Grande High School
Encyclopedia
Casa Grande High School is a public high school
in Petaluma, California
. The current principal is Ms. Linda Scheele (3rd year). The Assistant Principals are Eric Backman (3rd year), Stephen Owens (2nd year), and Betha MacClain (1st year).
Some critics say, however, that the basis of these programs, which is the overall success of students in Advanced Placement courses and the fact that those students have always been in a small learning community, does not take into account the difference between an average student's academic drive and that of an AP student. Hopefully though, offering students classes that are more aligned with their interests and intelligence styles will address their academic curiosity and drive. Although many students were placed in a cluster that they did not select during the initial pilot year, the opportunity to select from six different areas of interest should address that problem in the 2007-2008 school year.
's Division II title seven times in the last nine years. The team has advanced to the final competition at the national level once, where it took sixth place overall.
Most recently, in the 2007-2008 school year, the team won the Division II title with the highest score ever achieved by any Casa Team, defeating perennial rival Vanden High School from Fairfield, California
. It was awarded 7th place overall, defeating many strong Division I teams, such as Taft High School.
in the annual Egg Bowl
which was created by former Casa Grande coach Dave Hargrove. The streak took place between 2002 and 2007, but was broken in 2008. The competition was a loss for Casa Grande with Petaluma High taking the victory in the end 21-14. Coach O'Brien stepped down from the head coaching position he held for about 10 years. The Varsity team was beaten again in 2009 by Petaluma with a crushing defeat of 40-14. Long time assistant coach Trent Herzog is now leading the Gauchos as of the 2009 season.
Casa Grande has also made it to play-offs every year since 2003. The 2003 and 2004 teams not only went to play offs but made it to the section championship game. Even so both years ended with a loss. 2003 was to Eureka and 2004 to Montgomery.
, Key Club, Helping Hands, Tech Club, Adventure Club, Gay Straight Alliance, etc.
After the 2008-2009 school year,three of the four assistant principals left the school which was unprecedented. Former VP Erin Fender took a job at CASN in Berkeley, Mark Molina became principal of Willow Glen Middle School in San Jose and Dennis Harrington returned to classroom teaching at San Antonio High School.
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....
in Petaluma, California
Petaluma, California
Petaluma is a city in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. In the 2010 Census the population was 57,941.Located in Petaluma is the Rancho Petaluma Adobe, a National Historic Landmark. It was built beginning in 1836 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, then Commandant of the San...
. The current principal is Ms. Linda Scheele (3rd year). The Assistant Principals are Eric Backman (3rd year), Stephen Owens (2nd year), and Betha MacClain (1st year).
Educational Pathways
For a few years now, Casa Grande has been offering classes focused on a specific field of study, the most notable being the Health Career Pathway courses. In this program, about 30 students have three classes in common, all of which primary focus on is medicine and health care. Other Pathway programs have started up, including Visual and Performing Arts. The 2007-2008 school year will provide opportunities for all students to select an area of interest. Beside the two above, they will include: Technology and Industrial Applications, Culinary Arts and Event Planning, Sustainable Society and Legal and Social Justice. The purpose behind these programs is to develop an intimacy among the students and create relevant curriculum that is tied to students' interest outside of school. These will provide a connection and relevance that did not exist otherwise and help students achieve greater academic success.Some critics say, however, that the basis of these programs, which is the overall success of students in Advanced Placement courses and the fact that those students have always been in a small learning community, does not take into account the difference between an average student's academic drive and that of an AP student. Hopefully though, offering students classes that are more aligned with their interests and intelligence styles will address their academic curiosity and drive. Although many students were placed in a cluster that they did not select during the initial pilot year, the opportunity to select from six different areas of interest should address that problem in the 2007-2008 school year.
Academic Decathlon
Casa Grande has raised an outstanding Academic Decathlon team which has seen great success over the years. The team has represented Sonoma County for the last 24 years in the decathlon's state-level competition, where the team has had great success, including winning CaliforniaCalifornia
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...
's Division II title seven times in the last nine years. The team has advanced to the final competition at the national level once, where it took sixth place overall.
Most recently, in the 2007-2008 school year, the team won the Division II title with the highest score ever achieved by any Casa Team, defeating perennial rival Vanden High School from Fairfield, California
Fairfield, California
Fairfield is a city located in Solano County in Northern California, USA. It is generally considered the midpoint between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, approximately from the city center of both cities, approximately from the city center of Oakland, less than from Napa Valley, 18...
. It was awarded 7th place overall, defeating many strong Division I teams, such as Taft High School.
Journalism
The Gaucho Gazette is Casa Grande High School's award-winning student-run newspaper.Football
The Casa Grande Varsity football team has been very successful, and once held a five year winning streak defeating crosstown rival Petaluma High SchoolPetaluma High School
Petaluma High School is a public high school located in Petaluma, California. Petaluma High School's rival is Casa Grande High School. Petaluma High School is located in the city of Petaluma, California. Petaluma High School serves the westside of Petaluma and many of the rural areas that surround...
in the annual Egg Bowl
Egg Bowl
The Battle for the Golden Egg, also known as the Egg Bowl, is an American college football rivalry game between played annually by the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team of Mississippi State University and the Ole Miss Rebels football team of the University of Mississippi . The rivalry is...
which was created by former Casa Grande coach Dave Hargrove. The streak took place between 2002 and 2007, but was broken in 2008. The competition was a loss for Casa Grande with Petaluma High taking the victory in the end 21-14. Coach O'Brien stepped down from the head coaching position he held for about 10 years. The Varsity team was beaten again in 2009 by Petaluma with a crushing defeat of 40-14. Long time assistant coach Trent Herzog is now leading the Gauchos as of the 2009 season.
Casa Grande has also made it to play-offs every year since 2003. The 2003 and 2004 teams not only went to play offs but made it to the section championship game. Even so both years ended with a loss. 2003 was to Eureka and 2004 to Montgomery.
Basketball
The basketball program at casa is run by athletic director James Forni. Only being at casa for a short time and still teaching at Petaluma high, Forni was asked to step in as the head coach after former coach Jeremy Russotti stepped down. After taking over the program the team has performed very well on a year to year basis.Cross Country
Casa Grande's Cross Country has over 30 athletes, and has produced some of the North Bay's leading long distance runners. The team’s home course is at Martinelli Ranch, which is located between Petaluma and Sonoma on state highway 116.Concert Band
The Casa Grande High School band is highly praised by many critics, by the members of the Petaluma community, and by prominent musical program magazines. It is the largest high school band in Sonoma County, and the second largest in the state. Broken up into three different groups, and complemented by two jazz bands, they consistently receive high marks at events such as the CMEAs and are highly acclaimed for their attendance and displays at football games. Many of the band's lead players qualify for regional and state-wide honor bands every year, as well as compete in the CMEAs annual Solo and Ensemble festival, where they net high marks. Because of its prominence, the program has attracted a number of guest conductors, including in recent years Dr. Eric Hammer from the University of Pacific Conservatory of Music, Dr. Robert Ponto from the University of Oregon, and Dr. R. Anderson Collinsworth from Sonoma State University.Clubs
There are many well established clubs at Casa Grande including: HOSAHOSA
Health Occupations Students of America is a national career and technical student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division of ACTE. HOSA is composed of secondary and postsecondary students. It is headquartered in Flower Mound,...
, Key Club, Helping Hands, Tech Club, Adventure Club, Gay Straight Alliance, etc.
Administration
- Linda Scheele - 2009-2010 will be her second year at the school.
- Eric Backman - 2009-2010 will be his second year as an administrator at the school.
- Stephen Owens - new to the school
- TBD
After the 2008-2009 school year,three of the four assistant principals left the school which was unprecedented. Former VP Erin Fender took a job at CASN in Berkeley, Mark Molina became principal of Willow Glen Middle School in San Jose and Dennis Harrington returned to classroom teaching at San Antonio High School.
Notable alumni
- Jeff GerstmannJeff GerstmannJeff Gerstmann is an American video game journalist and former editorial director of the gaming website GameSpot and the founder of the gaming website Giant Bomb. He began working at GameSpot in the fall of 1996, around the launch of VideoGameSpot when GameSpot separated PC and console games into...
- Video game journalist - Jonny GomesJonny GomesJonathan Johnson "Jonny" Gomes is an American professional baseball outfielder.-Early years:...
– Outfielder/Designated Hitter, Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... - Glenn RubensteinGlenn RubensteinGlenn Rubenstein is a writer, director, musician, and journalist based in Northern California.-Journalism:Glenn Rubenstein has been a columnist for the San Francisco Examiner, Sports Illustrated for Kids, CNET's GameCenter, Wizard Magazine, and many other national publications...
– Journalist, Musician - Josh AkognonJosh AkognonJoshua Emmanuel Akognon is a Nigerian American professional basketball guard who played collegiate basketball for Washington State University and Cal State Fullerton .-High school:...
– NCAA Basketball Star, NBA Prospect