John Burroughs High School
Encyclopedia
- Do not confuse with Sherman E Burroughs High SchoolSherman E Burroughs High SchoolSherman E. Burroughs High School is a public high school located in Ridgecrest, CA. Established in 1945, the school is located in the upper Mojave Desert and is adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. It derives its name from U.S. Navy officer Capt. Sherman E...
, a similarly named high school, located in Ridgecrest, CaliforniaRidgecrest, CaliforniaRidgecrest, formerly known as Crumville, was incorporated as a city in 1913. It is located in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, California, adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake . Ridgecrest is the only incorporated city along US 395 in Kern County...
John Burroughs High School is a public high school located in Burbank, California. Emilio Urioste, Jr. is the current principal. The school was built in the 1920s, but wasn't established as a high school until 1948. The school was named after naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
John Burroughs
John Burroughs
John Burroughs was an American naturalist and essayist important in the evolution of the U.S. conservation movement. According to biographers at the American Memory project at the Library of Congress,...
. The school is highly regarded due to its high test scores for the region, being located in a highly acclaimed school district, and its close vicinity to major broadcasting studios and sound stages.
Academics
The school scored a 768 on the Academic Performance IndexAcademic Performance Index
The Academic Performance Index is a measurement of academic performance and progress of individual schools in California, United States. It is one of the main components of the Public Schools Accountability Act passed by the California legislature in 1999...
in 2007, and in 2010 reached a score of 819, meeting the school's 12th consecutive goal. 90% of students passed the math portion of the CAHSEE
California High School Exit Exam
The California High School Exit Exam is a requirement for high school graduation in the state of California, created by the California Department of Education to improve the academic performance of California high school students, and especially of high school graduates, in the areas of reading,...
(California High School Exit Exam
California High School Exit Exam
The California High School Exit Exam is a requirement for high school graduation in the state of California, created by the California Department of Education to improve the academic performance of California high school students, and especially of high school graduates, in the areas of reading,...
s) on the first attempt, while 92% of students passed the English portion of the CAHSEE on first attempt.
Athletics
John Burroughs has a rich history in athletics over the last 50 years, having produced numerous All-State, and CIF athletes. Burroughs alumni have also gone on to play at the Division 1 level, as well as compete professionally.The football team at Burroughs has had a storied past. Winning many Foothill League titles in the 1970s, as well as a Pacific League Championship (Coached by Keith Knoop) in the 2006 season, their first competing in the Pacific League, as well as their first league championship in 25 years (the 1981 varsity
Varsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
team won the Foothill League). Burroughs would gain top seed in CIF Central Division 5 although they went on to suffer a crucial defeat from the Moreno Valley High Vikings in the first round. In 2009, the football program had its most successful season to date as the Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams all won league championships, combining for a 25-5 record (Freshman 9-0, JV 9-1, and Varsity 7-4). Also, the track and field team produced Olympic silver medalist Ron Morris (Rome, 1960). In recent years, the distance program, headed by Coach John Peebles, has produced many talents, perhaps one of the most successful programs in Burroughs history to date. He has produced a CIF champion, 4 state finalists (track) and his cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
squads have made appearances in the post-season each year since 2000, with the varsity men winning the foothill league title in 2006. The basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
program, headed by longtime coach Art Sullivan, has also enjoyed success, making the semi-finals of the CIF tournament in the late 1990s, and again in 2006. The varsity baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team also enjoyed much success in the late 90's, led by Coach Jose Valle, making the CIF quarter finals round. In the mid 90's, Coach Kodoma led the men's varsity soccer team to a few CIF southern section playoff appearances as well, and also produced several All-CIF athletes. Burroughs also has a rich history in the sport of swimming, with athletes setting several CIF records. Burroughs also held its league championship title for 11 consecutive years until losing it in 2008 to Granite Hills High School.
Choir
There are 5 competing show choirs and two a cappella groups at John Burroughs under the direction of Brendan Jennings. He took over the program in 2006 after Mrs. Mary Rago retired from teaching after almost 30 years. The choirs are well known and many come to see their shows throughout the year. Powerhouse took Grand Championship at Fame Chicago 2008 Nationals as well as Grand Champions in Fame New York 2009 and taking home the Show Choir Cup. In 2010 Powerhouse performed on The Oprah Winfrey ShowThe Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
. In the 2009 to 2010 season Powerhouse ranked in the top ten show choirs across the (country. Also in the fall of 2010, the Powerhouse Choir performed on Dancing With The Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
. Also, in February 2011, Powerhouse Choir performed for the Chinese New Year Night Parade at Hong Kong.
- Powerhouse/Chamber Choir - Advanced Mixed
- Sound Sensations/Madrigals - Advanced Women's
- Sound Waves - Intermediate Mixed
- Decibelles - Intermediate Women's
- Men@Work - Men's Choir
- Vocal Ensemble - A cappella mixed
- Muses - A cappella women's
Band
The Instrumental Music Association (IMA) was run by director Paul Vesilind for seven years until his resignation in 2007. His job has been taken by saxophonist Tana Barnett. There are 4 bands: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble as well as a drumline at Burroughs. In 2006, the marching band played in a sound byte for Shrek the ThirdShrek the Third
Shrek the Third is a 2007 American animated film, and the third film in the Shrek series. It was produced by Jeffrey Katzenberg for DreamWorks Animation, and is distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was released in U.S. theaters on May 18, 2007...
and was featured in the animated movie. In 2010, they recorded again for the movie "Megamind". They were also selected to play at the 2011 Sugar Bowl half-time show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Soon afterwards, they were invited to be featured on Ellen
Ellen
Ellen may refer to:* Ellen , a female given name* Television programs with Ellen DeGeneres:** Ellen , a sitcom about a bookstore owner...
for her 2011 Super Bowl Special.
The JBHS marching band was also featured in the 1994 movie "Little Giants," which included sound from the percussion line just prior to the big game.
District
John Burroughs High School is a member of the Burbank Unified School DistrictBurbank Unified School District
Burbank Unified School District is a school district headquartered in Burbank, California, United States.-High Schools:* Burbank High School* John Burroughs High School* Monterey High School-Middle Schools:* David Starr Jordan Middle School...
(B.U.S.D.). The district is renowned for consistently high test scores from its students.
Notable alumni
Many notable actors and actresses have attended this high school due to its close vicinity to many major studios such as NBC UniversalNBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
, Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
, Walt Disney Studios
Walt Disney Studios (Burbank)
The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, United States, serve as the international headquarters for media conglomerate The Walt Disney Company. The Walt Disney Studio's house offices for each of the company's divisions along with creative spaces designed for movie production. The Walt Disney...
, and numerous voice recording and cartooning studios (Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
and Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
being the most note-worthy).
- Debbie ReynoldsDebbie ReynoldsDebbie Reynolds is an American actress, singer, and dancer.She was initially signed at age 16 by Warner Bros., but her career got off to a slow start. When her contract was not renewed, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer gave her a small, but significant part in the film Three Little Words , then signed her to...
, actress, singer and dancer (Singin' in the RainSingin' in the RainSingin' in the Rain is a 1952 American comedy musical film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, with Kelly also providing the choreography...
) - Ron HowardRon HowardRonald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
, actor (The Andy Griffith ShowThe Andy Griffith ShowThe Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3, 1960, and April 1, 1968. Andy Griffith portrays a widowed sheriff in the fictional small community of Mayberry, North Carolina...
, Happy DaysHappy DaysHappy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
) and director (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons) - Clint HowardClint HowardClinton "Clint" Howard is an American film and television actor. He is a character actor with numerous brief appearances on television and films. He has played many bit parts in movies directed by his brother, actor-turned-director Ron Howard. He is also the uncle of actress Bryce Dallas Howard...
, actor (Gentle BenGentle BenGentle Ben is a children's novel by author Walt Morey, first published in 1965. The book concerns the friendship between the title character, a bear, and a young boy named Mark...
) - Jonna LeeJonna LeeJonna Lee is an American television and film actress.-Career:Born Jonna Lee Pangburn in Glendale, California, Lee graduated from John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California in 1981, After high school, she moved to Hollywood and maintained an acting career through the 1980s.In 1985, Lee...
, actress (Making the GradeMaking the Grade (film)Making the Grade is an American film which was released in 1984. It was directed by Dorian Walker and written by Charles Gale and Gene Quintano. It was filmed at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.-Synopsis:...
, Another WorldAnother World (TV series)Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
) - Wayne AllwineWayne AllwineWayne Anthony Allwine was an American voice actor, a sound effects editor and foley artist for The Walt Disney Company. He was born in Glendale, California. He was the voice of Mickey Mouse for 32 years, narrowly the longest to date, and was married to voice actress Russi Taylor.Allwine was the...
, voice-over artist; provided the voice of Mickey MouseMickey MouseMickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
for 32 years - Rene RussoRene Russo- Early life :Russo was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Shirley , a factory worker and barmaid, and Nino Russo, a sculptor and car mechanic who left the family when Rene was two. Her father and maternal grandfather were of Italian descent. Russo grew up with her sister, Toni, and their...
, actress (Lethal WeaponLethal WeaponLethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action film and the first in a series of films, all directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched pair of LAPD detectives, and Gary Busey as their primary adversary...
& RansomRansomRansom is the practice of holding a prisoner or item to extort money or property to secure their release, or it can refer to the sum of money involved.In an early German law, a similar concept was called bad influence...
) - Debbe DunningDebbe DunningDebbe Dunning, sometimes credited as Debra Dunning, is an American actress. A native of Burbank, California, she graduated from John Burroughs High School, the same school her parents graduated from exactly twenty years earlier. She was a cheerleader and her school's Homecoming Queen, also winning...
(Home Improvement, played Tool Time Girl Heidi Keppert) - Brittany MurphyBrittany MurphyBrittany Anne Murphy-Monjack , known professionally as Brittany Murphy, was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, Just Married, Girl Interrupted, Spun, 8 Mile, Uptown Girls, Sin City, Happy Feet, and Riding in Cars with Boys...
, actress (1977–2009; briefly attended but did not graduate) - Dan HaggertyDan HaggertyDan Haggerty is an American actor, best known for the title role in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams....
, actor (The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams) - Angela WatsonAngela WatsonAngela Christine Watson is an American model and actress best known for her role on the American sitcom Step by Step, where she played one of the daughters of Suzanne Somers' character.-Early years:...
, actress (Step By Step) - Lindsey McKeonLindsey McKeonLindsey Johnson McKeon is a two-time Daytime Emmy-nominated American actress, and distant relative of Australian celebrity, Harry McKeon. She is best known for her roles as Marah Lewis on Guiding Light and Taylor James on One Tree Hill...
, actor ("Taylor James" on One Tree HillOne Tree Hill (TV series)One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
); briefly attended JBHS, but did not graduate. - Eben BrittonEben Britton-Jacksonville Jaguars:In an effort to rebuild their offensive line, the Jaguars selected Eugene Monroe and Britton with their first two picks. While Monroe is ought to occupy the left tackle spot, Britton was expected to compete with Tony Pashos for the starting nod at right tackle...
, NFL player - Mara WilsonMara WilsonMara Elizabeth Wilson is an American former child actress best known for her roles as a child star, particularly in Mrs. Doubtfire , Miracle on 34th Street , and Matilda . She was born in Los Angeles, California, to Michael and Suzie Wilson . She has three older brothers, Danny, Jon, and Joel, and...
, former child actress (MatildaMatilda-People:* Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England* Matilda , list of people named Matilda* Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror* Matilda of Tuscany-Media and entertainment:* Matilda , by Roald Dahl...
) - Adam HendershottAdam HendershottAdam Hendershott is an American actor.Hendershott was born in Los Angeles County, California. He has appeared in a number of film and television roles, including Sydney White and Jack & Bobby,Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls....
, actor - Tim MathesonTim MathesonTim Matheson is an American actor, director and producer. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the smooth-talking Eric 'Otter' Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House and has had a variety of other well-known roles, including providing the voice of the lead character...
, actor (National Lampoon's Animal HouseNational Lampoon's Animal HouseNational Lampoon's Animal House is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. The film was a direct spin-off of National Lampoon magazine...
) - Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit, actors (Full HouseFull HouseFull House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and...
) - Eric BalfourEric BalfourEric Salter Balfour is an American singer and actor of film and television. He is the lead singer of Born As Ghosts, formerly known as Fredalba...
, actor - Erik KramerErik KramerWilliam Erik Kramer , is a former American football quarterback. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA. After attending Los Angeles Pierce College and playing as their quarterback, Kramer transferred to North Carolina State University where he finished a successful college football...
, former American football quarterback and sports commentator - Lynn ShackelfordLynn ShackelfordLynn Shackelford is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'5" forward, Shackelford played college basketball at the UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden....
, former UCLA college basketball player and sports commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers - Nick Nittoli, recording artist, singer/song-writer (Platinum HitPlatinum HitPlatinum Hit is a reality competition series on Bravo launched in 2011 in which 12 singer-songwriters compete through innovative songwriting challenges that will test their creativity, patience and drive. The series was created and produced by Evan Bogart...
) Season 1 final 4 contestant
- Burroughs was used as the location for the TV series The Wonder YearsThe Wonder YearsThe Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. It ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988 after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII....
- TonicTonic (band)Tonic is an American rock band that has earned two Grammy nominations to date. The band was formed in 1993 by Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Later members have included Dan Lavery, Kevin Shepard, and Dan Rothchild. Signed to a recording contract in 1995, the band released its debut album Lemon Parade...
's music video, "You Wanted More," was filmed at JBHS for the movie American PieAmerican Pie (film)American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series... - Glee (TV series)Glee (TV series)Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
was filmed most recently in JBHS's hallways