Eagle Rock High School (Los Angeles, California)

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Location
Eagle Rock High School
Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California
Information
School district	Los Angeles Unified School District
Students	2930^[1]
Faculty	125^[1]
Type	Public
Grades	7-12
Mascot	eagle
Color(s)	green, grey
Established	1927
Mission Statement	ERHS is a learning community whose mission is to foster an environment that promotes the growth of self-motivated, self-sufficient and self-directed learners who become contributing members of society using critical thinking skills and creative and innovative problem-solving skills in our complex world.
Vision Statement	The ERHS educational community is accountable for rigorous standards-based curricula, a safe, well-maintained learning environment and a climate of respect for self and others.
Homepage	Official website

Eagle Rock High School (ERHS) is a public school located in the neighborhood of Eagle Rock of northeast Los Angeles, California.

Eagle Rock is the only combination junior and senior high school that serves grades 7 to 12 as part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

1 History
2 Technology
3 Gifted Magnet
4 Alma Mater
5 Sports
6 Trivia
7 Notable alumni
8 Links
9 References

[edit] History

The school first opened its doors in September 12, 1927. The school will be celebrating its 80th birthday in the fall of 2007.^[2]

Opening day at Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School was September 12, 1927. Principal Helen Babson greeted some 750 expectant youngsters in an auditorium not yet equipped with seats. Seventy years later a dozen of these former students, wearing “I was there” badges, were honored at the 1997 ERHS Alumni Association Annual Dinner.^[2]

Helen Babson was an effective leader and the depression years a propitious time for recruiting faculty. Teaching openings were few and ERHS, as a new and nationally designated “progressive education” school, was an attractive assignment. As a consequence the school assembled a highly talented group of educators, many of whom had distinguished careers as teachers and others as administrators. The progressive education experiment didn’t fare well, being replaced in time by more traditional modes of instruction, but it apparently inflicted no real damage on its ERHS subjects, although some complain that they never learned to spell.^[2]

Helen Babson was succeeded in 1945 by another outstanding principal, Robert Kelly, who later moved on to top leadership posts in the Los Angeles School District.^[2]

Charles Sutcliffe was principal from 1953 to 1962 maintaining the ERHS tradition of excellence during a time of community stability and postwar growth. The Korean club supported a school near Seoul and was awarded the George Washington medal for their efforts. The boy’s gym was built, at the time it was the finest in the City.^[2]

From 1962 to 1975 Charles Hamer S’31, who as an Occidental student had done his practice teaching at Eagle Rock, was principal. Popular with both students and faculty Mr. Hamer successfully guided the school through a period of earthquake related rebuilding and cultural transformation. The Boosters club was founded focusing anew community support for the school. Under John Rinaldo the ERHS Jazz Band brought state and national attention to the school.^[2]

Alumni who last viewed the campus in the sixties are quickly aware of some big changes when they visit the ERHS of today. Virtually all of the old buildings are gone, victims of earthquake building codes and replaced by more modern, and some temporary structures erected on what used to be the girls athletic field. Also evident is the far larger number of students, 2800 plus, creating a variety of logistical problems.^[2]

Just as striking is the composition of the student body, now about 61% Latino, 16.6% Filipino, 6.8% Asian, 2.5% African American, and 11.8% Caucasian. But a campus visitor also would see that, despite the overcrowding, campus life is calm and orderly. It appears that receiving a good education is a top priority for most students and that is just what’s happening at ERHS.^[2]

Eagle Rock has always ranked high among LA City schools in the quality of its faculty and in the achievements of its students. Nearly 90% of its graduates are going on to college or technical education, probably the highest percentage in the history of the school. And these students are not only successful in the classroom, they also are maintaining the ERHS traditions of excellence in choral and instrumental music, community involvement, and in producing winning athletic teams, both male and female. Longtime ERHS traditions continue, the senior class still selects a name which they feel typifies their aspirations, a student designed class plaque is still emplaced in front of the auditorium (the same inside as in 1927, now with seats), and the class still graduates at the Occidental College Hillside Theatre, less formally but more affordably now in caps and gowns.^[2]

Central Region High School 13 will relieve Eagle Rock when the school opens in 2011 ^[3].

[edit] Technology

Beginning in 2002 through 2005, Eagle Rock H.S underwent many upgrades, thanks to its grants and other funds. Eagle Rock High School single handedly manages one of the most impressive computer operations found in LAUSD schools. As a "span school," 7th grade, students are given the privilege of a digital portfolio and email accounts which follow them across the curriculum. Central operations are at the heart of this technology-centered school: central file sharing/web services for students, faculty, staff and parents provide the community with the flexibility of sharing files and information. Central printing provides global printing to a monitoring station for the entire school. Central monitoring stations can monitor activity, and update and maintain all computer systems. The impressive modernization of technology at ERHS has allowed the school to make strides in accreditation and maintain it as one of the highest API rating high schools in the entire Los Angeles Unified School District. Currently it boasts an API score above 700 (more than most LAUSD schools have been able to do in the last 7 years).

Technology Education is taught in the curriculum, including modules for engineering/robotics, biotechnology, video communications, music production, aeronautics, computer programming, AP computer programming and advanced mathematics, and industrial technology among others.

[edit] Gifted Magnet

Eagle Rock has been home to a highly gifted magnet middle school within campus. Students participate in a curriculum which incorporates AP courses in middle school.

[edit] Alma Mater

Far above the city turmoil
Arched by blue above
Eagle Rock from thee we proudly,
Take the name we love!

Eagle Rock, thy symbol guide us
By it, we'll prevail
Through thy courage, strength, and honor
Eagle Rock, all hail!

As we roam thy halls.
May the image of the eagle chiseled on thy side,
ever before us an emblem
faithful true and tried.

[edit] Sports

2007 CIF Football Invitational Champions
2007 Northern League Basketball Champions
2006 CIF Football Invitational Champions
2007 Northern League Football Champions
2006 Northern League Football Co-Champions
2005 Northern League Football Co-Champions
2001 CIF Baseball Invitational Runner-UP (Dodger Stadium)
1997 CIF City Volleyball Champions

[edit] Trivia

Jenna Bush visited Eagle Rock High School to speak with Key Club Members about UNICEF.
The campus paper is the Eagle's Scream.
Eagle Rock is one of the leading population percentages in terms of Filipino students in LAUSD.
Eagle Rock High Jazz Bands under the director of John Rinaldo was among the best in the nation. Many great professional musicians started at Eagle Rock.
During the 70's and 80's Eagle Rock Jazz Band program hosted "Jazz at ER" a monthly jazz program with many great notable guest stars.
Eagle Rock's football field does not have lights.