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Fairview High School (Boulder)
Encyclopedia
Fairview High School is a public high school
located on the southern edge of Boulder, Colorado
in the Table Mesa area. About 2,000 students attend Fairview, placing it in the 5A category for Colorado sports.
Prior to recent additions, Fairview High School's interior was unique: only a single room in the entire building was rectangular, as most rooms were fragments of hexagons. Generally the rooms in the building lack windows, or have only tall thin windows. The school is situated on a slope, so hallways are on separate levels, with stairs allowing passage in between. Situated in the center of the school, the student center has student lockers. Large ramps on either side serve as the main passageways throughout the school. On clear days, visibility extends north to Longs Peak
in Rocky Mountain National Park
; however, the library with its large panoramic windows is the only room with a good view. The building was originally constructed in 1971, and underwent renovations to the north end of the student center after a roof collapsed in the winter of 1978–1979. (During this period, classes were held at nearby University of Colorado.) Recent additions to the main entrance and the south-west side have added more windows, classrooms, and offices. Additionally, solid, permanent walls in the two uppermost levels have been built; the attendance office has been relocated; and the senior balcony has been removed. (See "Future Improvements" section.)
), Chivalry (an extracurricular men's choir), Excalibur (the senior jazz choir, specializing in a cappella
), and Age of Guinevere (the elite women's jazz choir, started in 2007).
Fairview High School's instrumental music program includes an orchestra (The Classic Knights), jazz bands, and a concert/marching band. With three jazz bands and six smaller jazz combos under the direction of Travis Keller, Fairview High School purportedly has the most extensive jazz education program in Colorado
. Fairview High School also has a concert and marching band
. The Fairview Marching Knights, under the direction of Travis Keller, placed fourth at the Colorado Bandmasters Association state finals in October 2006 and again in October 2009 and have been in the top 10 in the state each year since CBA's inception. During the marching season, students spend about 300 hours outside of regular school hours practicing for competitions.
Fairview High School's orchestra is directed by Bret and Stephanie Wallace. In addition to a large string orchestra, they also conduct a smaller Chamber Orchestra, which is a select, audition-only group.
Fairview High School's theater program, headed by Rochelle Gallup with assistance from Janice Vlachos and Tracy Warren, produces a musical in the fall and a play in the spring.
Each year in March, all three departments (choral, instrumental, and theater) present the Pops Festival, a show of music and dance. This festival includes choral, a Cappella, full band, jazz band, dancing, and comedy acts.
Art classes (ranging from introductory to IB levels) are taught by Cheryl Harmon and Rebecca Feeney. Class types include painting/drawing, photography, studio, and digital.
As of 2009, choir teachers Jim Keller and Ron Revier have gone into retirement, but occasionally do assist Janice Vlachos.
. At Fairview High School the IB program requires no application, and is composed of two years of an internationally standardized curriculum. The classes are taught during a student's junior and senior years. In addition to the coursework, students in the IB program must also write an Extended Essay
(EE) and participate in 150 CAS
hours within the community before the full IB Diploma is awarded. Fairview High School also offers a pre-IB program composed of two years of preparatory honors classes during the 9th and 10th grades. These classes are not formally required for the IB Diploma, but are recommended and sometimes required by the school to move into the IB classes. Fairview High School students have the opportunity to enroll in a mixture of IB, AP and/or regular classes.
is the Knight
and the school colors are red, white and black. The lobby, at the South end of the school, contains a knight's armor on display. The entire school follows the "medieval" theme, occasionally referring to the school as "The Castle," The gym is called the Dungeon, and the cafeteria the "Round Table Café." The choir program continues this theme with choirs named: Voices of the Knight, Enchantment, Madrigals, Chivalry, Festival, and Excalibur. Dance themes at Fairview always include the word knight (for example, "A Knight In Las Vegas
"). The school's yearbook is called "The Lance" and the newspaper "The Royal Banner".
Fairview High School like many other schools, has a fight song: "Fight on, ye knights, for victory / Fight on, ye knights, for fame / The red and the white will never say die 'cause spirit always wins the game! / Shout a cheer for old Fairview High / Let the world know why (Why!) / We're proud of our school and praise it high, so fight! fight! fight fight fight!"
contestant Ace Young
graduated from the class of 1999. He participated in sports and choir. Chicago White Sox reliever Jesse Crain
also graduated from the class of 1999. He played baseball, basketball and football and was named 1999 All-State and Colorado High School Player of the Year. Former NFL Tight End Dustin Lyman
graduated Fairview in 1995. He played football and baseball at Wake Forest University, and went on to play five seasons for the Chicago Bears. Though she never directly attended Fairview High School, Jessica Biel
was tutored at Fairview. Former Major League Baseball
player Jay Howell
graduated from Fairview High School in the 1970s. Actress Sheryl Lee
was born in Germany but grew up in Boulder, and went on to appear as the dead Laura Palmer in the television show Twin Peaks
. Former NBA player Tom Chambers played at Fairview High School in the 1970s. Former NFL All-Pro offensive lineman Tony Boselli
graduated in 1990. Former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Kevin Call graduated in 1980. Patrick McCoy, a professional water polo player for the Croatian club Jadran SD, attended Fairview High School. TV Actress Sheree J. Wilson
(Dallas, Walker – Texas Ranger) graduated 1977. Sean Foreman, singer in the band 3OH!3
, graduated from Fairview High School and filmed one of the band's music videos in one of the Chemistry lecture halls as well as in the 800 hallway. Kevin Russo
, 2002 Fairview graduate, is on the active roster for the New York Yankees
. Poker pro Paul Wasicka
, who played five sports at Fairview, placed 2nd at the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event. Jeff Knapple, a Fairview High School 1974 graduate, was a Denver Broncos
backup quarterback in 1980 and also played for the Denver Gold
of the USFL.
for school improvements. Fairview High School was included in this issue and now improvements are being planned for the school. These renovations include reconstructing the 300 level to allow for more classroom space, moving all of the administration offices to the senior balcony, remodeling the 700 level locker rooms and other spaces, creating new classrooms and space near the 600 level, enclosing open spaces on the 800 level to create more classrooms and to improve the ones in place, and adding skylights to the student center. On top of these, the front entrance to Fairview High School will be remodeled to reduce confusion from the current two door design. The athletic facilities at Fairview will also be improved. A field house will be constructed near the track and water/sewage lines will be extended out to there. Signs, fences and gates will be added to provide more security and the softball field will be upgraded. Some of these changes have already been completed. See the project website for further information.
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....
located on the southern edge of Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
in the Table Mesa area. About 2,000 students attend Fairview, placing it in the 5A category for Colorado sports.
Design of the school
Longs Peak
Longs Peak is one of the 53 mountains with summits over 14,000 feet in Colorado. It can be prominently seen from Longmont, Colorado, as well as from the rest of the Colorado Front Range. It is named after Major Stephen Long, who explored the area in the 1820s...
in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
; however, the library with its large panoramic windows is the only room with a good view. The building was originally constructed in 1971, and underwent renovations to the north end of the student center after a roof collapsed in the winter of 1978–1979. (During this period, classes were held at nearby University of Colorado.) Recent additions to the main entrance and the south-west side have added more windows, classrooms, and offices. Additionally, solid, permanent walls in the two uppermost levels have been built; the attendance office has been relocated; and the senior balcony has been removed. (See "Future Improvements" section.)
Student government
Fairview’s student body is led by the Head Girl and Head Boy. The rough equivalent to a Student Body President, the Head Girl and Boy are responsible for all Student Council-led projects ranging from Homecoming to the Fairview Tennis Open to All Cultures Week. The Head Girl and Boy create the class curriculum for the Student Council (approximately 70 students each semester) and Student Senate (approximately 45 students each semester) classes, work directly with Administration, supervise all school activities, speak publicly, attend sporting events, and operate as the personification of Fairview High School.Fine arts programs
Fairview High School has a long history of music and theater programs with eight choirs, directed by Janice Vlachos, Rochelle Gallup with Jim Keller directing the Madrigals choir. They are Voices of the Knight (the freshmen choir), Troubadors (the show choir), Enchantment (the women's choir), Festival (the advanced mix choir), Madrigal Singers (an extracurricular choir specializing in madrigalsMadrigal (music)
A madrigal is a secular vocal music composition, usually a partsong, of the Renaissance and early Baroque eras. Traditionally, polyphonic madrigals are unaccompanied; the number of voices varies from two to eight, and most frequently from three to six....
), Chivalry (an extracurricular men's choir), Excalibur (the senior jazz choir, specializing in a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
), and Age of Guinevere (the elite women's jazz choir, started in 2007).
Fairview High School's instrumental music program includes an orchestra (The Classic Knights), jazz bands, and a concert/marching band. With three jazz bands and six smaller jazz combos under the direction of Travis Keller, Fairview High School purportedly has the most extensive jazz education program in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Fairview High School also has a concert and marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
. The Fairview Marching Knights, under the direction of Travis Keller, placed fourth at the Colorado Bandmasters Association state finals in October 2006 and again in October 2009 and have been in the top 10 in the state each year since CBA's inception. During the marching season, students spend about 300 hours outside of regular school hours practicing for competitions.
Fairview High School's orchestra is directed by Bret and Stephanie Wallace. In addition to a large string orchestra, they also conduct a smaller Chamber Orchestra, which is a select, audition-only group.
Fairview High School's theater program, headed by Rochelle Gallup with assistance from Janice Vlachos and Tracy Warren, produces a musical in the fall and a play in the spring.
Each year in March, all three departments (choral, instrumental, and theater) present the Pops Festival, a show of music and dance. This festival includes choral, a Cappella, full band, jazz band, dancing, and comedy acts.
Art classes (ranging from introductory to IB levels) are taught by Cheryl Harmon and Rebecca Feeney. Class types include painting/drawing, photography, studio, and digital.
As of 2009, choir teachers Jim Keller and Ron Revier have gone into retirement, but occasionally do assist Janice Vlachos.
International Baccalaureate program
Fairview High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma programIB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
. At Fairview High School the IB program requires no application, and is composed of two years of an internationally standardized curriculum. The classes are taught during a student's junior and senior years. In addition to the coursework, students in the IB program must also write an Extended Essay
Extended Essay
The extended essay is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme. It is a research paper of up to 4,000 words giving students an opportunity to conduct independent research or investigation on a topic that interests them...
(EE) and participate in 150 CAS
Creativity, Action, Service
Creativity, action, service is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme. It aims to provide a 'counterbalance' to the academic rigour of the educational programme. Before the 2010 examination there was a 150 hour requirement, with an approximately equal distribution of creativity,...
hours within the community before the full IB Diploma is awarded. Fairview High School also offers a pre-IB program composed of two years of preparatory honors classes during the 9th and 10th grades. These classes are not formally required for the IB Diploma, but are recommended and sometimes required by the school to move into the IB classes. Fairview High School students have the opportunity to enroll in a mixture of IB, AP and/or regular classes.
Athletics
The Fairview High School athletic program has garnered numerous state championships and consists of many different sports. Some of the most prominent are cross country, girls swimming and boys basketball, which have all been consistently involved in state championships. Girls' cross country has won two state titles in the past six years and have placed in the top five in other years. In 2006, the girls' swim team became nationally ranked in the country's top ten and for the past few years have held a first and second finish at the Colorado State Championships.The team won the state championship in 2004 and has finished in the top three the past five years. The team has boasted a national top-10 ranking and numerous All-Americans. The 2005 200 Freestyle relay team, made up of Emily Weigel, Madeline Rovira, Kristen Lahey, and Elizabeth Rovira, was ranked second nationally, by just one-tenth of a second. The boys basketball team finished the 2009 regular season number one in the state in 5A, with a perfect 23–0 record and reached the final four before losing in the semi-finals. In 2007 the golf team won the state championship and the tennis team got second in state. Fairview has 3 football state championships in 1978, 1979 and 1987. The football team came in 2nd in 1977 losing in the state championship game. From 1999 to 2002 the football team won four straight Centennial League championships including going to State in 2001 and 2002. In 2009 the football team went 12–0 before losing in the semifinals, this team was the first to go 12–0 in school history, Fairview also went undefeated in the Front Range League, which included wins over 8-0 Ft. Collins, Legacy, and Rocky Mtn. The 2009-10 Men's Basketball team made it to the state championship game losing to defending state-champion Regis Jesuit in overtime. The Fairview Men's soccer team reached the state quarterfinals in 2008 and 2009. The Fairview Women's soccer team won the state championship in 2010 for the first time in school history. The two most well known coaches at Fairview are Frank Lee the boys basketball coach and also the athletic director. The other coach is Tom McCartney the football coach and the son of former CU coach Bill McCartney. Tom McCartney also teaches at Fairview as PE teacher.Academics
Fairview High School was ranked by Newsweek Magazine as the 3rd best high school in Colorado and the 204th in the nation. 79.8% of all seniors passed an AP or IB test.School theme
Fairview High School's mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is the Knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
and the school colors are red, white and black. The lobby, at the South end of the school, contains a knight's armor on display. The entire school follows the "medieval" theme, occasionally referring to the school as "The Castle," The gym is called the Dungeon, and the cafeteria the "Round Table Café." The choir program continues this theme with choirs named: Voices of the Knight, Enchantment, Madrigals, Chivalry, Festival, and Excalibur. Dance themes at Fairview always include the word knight (for example, "A Knight In Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
"). The school's yearbook is called "The Lance" and the newspaper "The Royal Banner".
Fairview High School like many other schools, has a fight song: "Fight on, ye knights, for victory / Fight on, ye knights, for fame / The red and the white will never say die 'cause spirit always wins the game! / Shout a cheer for old Fairview High / Let the world know why (Why!) / We're proud of our school and praise it high, so fight! fight! fight fight fight!"
Alumni
Former American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
contestant Ace Young
Ace Young
Brett Asa "Ace" Young is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He came to national recognition upon appearing on the fifth season of the reality television talent show, American Idol, although he was eliminated from the competition on April 19, 2006, finishing in seventh place.-Early...
graduated from the class of 1999. He participated in sports and choir. Chicago White Sox reliever Jesse Crain
Jesse Crain
Jesse Alan Crain is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school and college:...
also graduated from the class of 1999. He played baseball, basketball and football and was named 1999 All-State and Colorado High School Player of the Year. Former NFL Tight End Dustin Lyman
Dustin Lyman
Dustin Sheehan Lyman is a former American football tight end in the National Football League. He was selected in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Wake Forest University by the Chicago Bears with whom he played for 5 seasons.-External links:*...
graduated Fairview in 1995. He played football and baseball at Wake Forest University, and went on to play five seasons for the Chicago Bears. Though she never directly attended Fairview High School, Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel
Jessica Claire Biel is an American actress, model, and occasional singer. Biel is known for her television role as Mary Camden in the long-running family-drama series 7th Heaven...
was tutored at Fairview. Former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player Jay Howell
Jay Howell
Jay Canfield Howell is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers .Howell was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers when they won the 1988 World Series...
graduated from Fairview High School in the 1970s. Actress Sheryl Lee
Sheryl Lee
Sheryl Lee is an American actress. She came to international attention for her performances as Laura Palmer and Maddy Ferguson on the 1990 cult TV series Twin Peaks and in the 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me...
was born in Germany but grew up in Boulder, and went on to appear as the dead Laura Palmer in the television show Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
. Former NBA player Tom Chambers played at Fairview High School in the 1970s. Former NFL All-Pro offensive lineman Tony Boselli
Tony Boselli
Don Anthony "Tony" Boselli, Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle. He spent nearly all of his professional career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League ....
graduated in 1990. Former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Kevin Call graduated in 1980. Patrick McCoy, a professional water polo player for the Croatian club Jadran SD, attended Fairview High School. TV Actress Sheree J. Wilson
Sheree J. Wilson
Sheree Julienne Wilson is an American actress, primarily known for her roles in soap operas and television...
(Dallas, Walker – Texas Ranger) graduated 1977. Sean Foreman, singer in the band 3OH!3
3OH!3
3OH!3 is an American electro hop duo from Boulder, Colorado, made up of Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte. They are best known for their single "Don't Trust Me" from their album Want, which reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100...
, graduated from Fairview High School and filmed one of the band's music videos in one of the Chemistry lecture halls as well as in the 800 hallway. Kevin Russo
Kevin Russo
Kevin Alexander Russo is a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees organization. He is currently a utility infielder/outfielder who came up as a second baseman.-Early years:...
, 2002 Fairview graduate, is on the active roster for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Poker pro Paul Wasicka
Paul Wasicka
Paul J. Wasicka is a professional poker player, based in Las Vegas, Nevada who was the runner-up at the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event and the winner of the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship....
, who played five sports at Fairview, placed 2nd at the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event. Jeff Knapple, a Fairview High School 1974 graduate, was a Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
backup quarterback in 1980 and also played for the Denver Gold
Denver Gold
The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...
of the USFL.
Future improvements
In 2006 a bond issue was issued to the Boulder Valley School DistrictBoulder Valley School District
The Boulder Valley RE 2 School District is a school district in Colorado, headquartered in the BVSD Education Center in unincorporated Boulder County, near Boulder. The district serves Boulder, Gold Hill, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Nederland, Superior, and Ward...
for school improvements. Fairview High School was included in this issue and now improvements are being planned for the school. These renovations include reconstructing the 300 level to allow for more classroom space, moving all of the administration offices to the senior balcony, remodeling the 700 level locker rooms and other spaces, creating new classrooms and space near the 600 level, enclosing open spaces on the 800 level to create more classrooms and to improve the ones in place, and adding skylights to the student center. On top of these, the front entrance to Fairview High School will be remodeled to reduce confusion from the current two door design. The athletic facilities at Fairview will also be improved. A field house will be constructed near the track and water/sewage lines will be extended out to there. Signs, fences and gates will be added to provide more security and the softball field will be upgraded. Some of these changes have already been completed. See the project website for further information.