Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Long Beach Polytechnic High School, founded in 1895 as Long Beach High School, is a four-year public high school located at 1600 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, California, United States. The school serves portions of Long Beach, including Bixby Knolls, and some parts of the cities of Signal Hill and Lakewood. Polytechnic (more commonly known as Poly) is the flagship high school of the Long Beach Unified School District. It is a large urban high school with about 4,000 students.
| Long Beach Polytechnic High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
1600 Atlantic Avenue , | |
| Coordinates | 33°47′15″N 118°11′02″W / 33.78750°N 118.18389°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | "Home of Scholars & Champions" "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve" |
| Established | 1895 |
| School district | Long Beach Unified School District |
| Principal | Bill Salas & Quentin Brown |
| Faculty | 160.96 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 4,002 (2020–21)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 24.86[1] |
| Campus | Urban |
| Color(s) | |
| Athletics conference | Moore League |
| Team name | Jackrabbits |
| Yearbook | Caerulea |
| Website | http://lbpoly.schoolloop.com/ |
Polytechnic has long been distinguished in both academics and athletics. The PACE (Program of Accelerated Curricular Experiences, founded in 1975 by Dr. Nancy Gray,[2] a teacher and administrator for the Long Beach School system), and the CIC (Center of International Curriculum) magnet programs boast more total University of California admissions than any other high school in California. In 2005, Sports Illustrated magazine named Polytechnic the "Sports School of the Century," in recognition of the school's badminton, baseball, basketball, football, track, cross country, swimming, water polo, volleyball, wrestling, tennis, golf, and softball teams. Polytechnic has also received numerous prizes for its music program, including six Grammy Awards, two of them being "golden signature" Grammy Awards. Long Beach Poly has sent more players to the NFL than any other high school in the country, sending over 60 throughout the history of the school.[3] Long Beach Poly was also ranked number one in a list of the best high school athletic programs in the nation by Sports Illustrated.[4]
History edit
| Race and ethnicity[5] | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 51.1% | |
| Asian | 20.5% | |
| African American | 15.6% | |
| Non-Hispanic White/Anglo | 7.6% | |
| Other | 3.3% | |
| Pacific Islander | 1.8% | |
| Native American | 0.1% | |
Early years edit
Long Beach Polytechnic High School began offering classes in 1895 in order to help educate the growing population of Long Beach. The first classes were at the Methodist Tabernacle Chapel, and the first principal was Walter S. Bailey.[6] The first graduating class was in 1897 and only had one student. During this same year, classes were moved to Chautauqua Hall at Fourth Street and Pine Avenue as work began on the new Long Beach High School.[6] Long Beach High School was completed in 1898 and featured four classrooms and an assembly hall.
The following year, the Long Beach High School Athletic Association was formed.
In 1903, the school yearbook, Caerulea, was first published.
Football and basketball programs began in 1904.
The first student government was established in 1906.[6]
David Burcham became school principal the following year, a position he would hold until 1941.
The girls' basketball program won three consecutive state championships, from 1907 to 1909.
In 1911, Long Beach Poly moved to the location at 16th Street and Atlantic, offering more space and amenities.[6]
JROTC began in 1917, and an influenza epidemic swept through the school population.
The following year, rabbits began invading the playing fields, inspiring the track team to call themselves the Jackrabbits; this eventually became the official school mascot.[6]
The athletic field was dedicated as "David Burcham Field" in 1924 to honor the long-serving principal.
During much of the 1920s, Poly was the largest high school west of the Mississippi River in terms of student population.[6]
A new Mediterranean Revival auditorium was designed by William Horace Austin in 1930,[8] and constructed in 1931. The Long Beach earthquake damaged the school in 1933.[9] Following the earthquake, bricks from the damage were sold in order to pay for a memorial flagpole which still stands. In 1935, a new science building was built and the auditorium was remodeled by architect Hugh Davies. The remodeling included PWA Moderne, Streamline Moderne, and Art Deco design.[8] A new administration building was completed the following year.
1940s–1970s edit
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1945.
Wooden bleachers that had lined the athletic fields burned down in 1952 and the new Veterans Memorial Stadium became the new home field for the Jackrabbits.
The library was completed in 1953.
In 1969, a racist leaflet was published, prompting approximately 100 Euro-American and African-American students to fight, leaving 24 students injured.[6]
Homecoming titles (King and Queen) were ended in 1971 due to racial tensions.
In 1975, the Program of Additional Curricular Experiences (PACE) began, one of the first high school programs to offer advanced college placement courses. Badminton began in 1977, and girls' track and gymnastics teams started the following year.[6]
1980s–present edit
The Center for International Commerce (CIC) began in 1982.
In 1984, Poly was recognized by USA Today as the top ranked school nationally in terms of Moore League, CIF, and state titles.[6] Poly received the Distinguished School Recognition Award in 1986, the California Department of Education's highest award.
Poly became a four-year school in 1989.
A new science building was completed in 1993.
The school celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 1995.
The Poly music program was recognized as a Grammy Signature School Gold in 2000, one of the top ten music programs in the country.[6] Poly received this honor in 2003 as well.
In 2005, Harvard recognized Poly as the most successful high school in the nation in terms of number of graduates.[6] Also in 2005, Sports Illustrated named the Poly as the #1 sports high school in the nation.[4][6]
In 2006, security was increased and school IDs were required to be worn at all times while on campus.
In 2018, Poly dedicated its library to honor former principal Bob Ellis.[10]
In 2019, the auditorium was renamed the Andrew Osman Performing Arts Center to honor the school's music program director of 36 years.[11]
Academics edit
The school motto states that Poly is the "Home of Scholars and Champions." The PACE and CIC magnet programs are highly desired destinations for students throughout the South Bay and Northern Orange County.
In 2008, 1,573 AP exams were administered at Poly with over 75% of testers receiving a passing score of 3 or higher.[12] The national pass rate in 2008 was slightly over 58%.[13]
Poly also has the highest academic performance index of any traditional high school in Long Beach with a 2009 score of 747. It consistently ranks a 9 out of 10 when compared to schools with similar demographics since 2007.
Pac Rim is a California magnet academy for students interested in business. Polytechnic High also includes the Beach, Justice, METS, and MEDS academies.[14]
Poly also hosts the PACE program (Program of Additional Curricular Experiences), a competitive college-preparatory magnet program. Entrance is predicated upon a combination of grade-point-average and standardized test scores.
Athletics edit
Long Beach Polytechnic offers a wide variety of sports and activities due to its large size and diverse student population. Athletic teams compete in Division I within the California Interscholastic Federation and are known as the Jackrabbits. Throughout the school's history, the Jackrabbits have won many state championships and have produced several collegiate and professional athletes. In 2005, Sports Illustrated magazine named Polytechnic the "Sports School of the Century," in recognition of the school's badminton, baseball, basketball, football, track, cross country, swimming, water polo, tennis, golf, and softball teams.[4]
Football edit
Long Beach Poly has maintained a successful football program and has produced more NFL players than any other high school in the nation, over 60 throughout school history.[3]
Early years edit
Poly played its first football game in 1908 and featured its first African-American player in 1934.[15]
After losing their opener, the Jackrabbits won their first game 10–0 vs. Occidental Prep.[15]
In 1917, head coach Eddie Kienholz left the team to fight in World War I.
The 1919 Poly team went 12–0 and won their first state championship over Berkeley High School by a score of 21–14. Following the state championship, Poly defeated Phoenix High School by a score of 102–0 in the Southwest Championship.[15] Poly won additional CIF titles in 1923 and 1927.
Orian Landreth became the head coach in 1929 and won the CIF title vs. Santa Barbara High School.
Poly repeated as CIF champions in 1930, and also won titles in 1934 and 1936.[15] From 1942 to 1956, the football program experienced down years, producing just four winning seasons.[15] The 1959 and 1960 teams led by quarterback Bud Hollowell went 22–0–1 and claimed two CIF titles.[16]
The 1959 team is best known for the "ICBM" backfield of Lonzo Irvin, Harvey Crow, Willie Brown and Willie Martin.[16]
1960s–present edit
From 1965 to 1979, the Jackrabbits experienced a second drought of success, making the playoffs five times in 15 seasons.[15] The 1973 team went winless and the 1979 team was forced to forfeit all of its wins due to ineligible players.[15] Poly won the CIF title in 1980 and were runners-up in 1981 and 1982. The Jackrabbits shared a title in 1985, sharing with Edison High School after a 14–14 tie.[15]
Poly experienced increased success in the 1990s and 2000s, winning CIF titles in 1997, 1999 and 2000. The 2001 team featured Marcedes Lewis, Hershel Dennis, Winston Justice, and Darnell Bing. Despite the talent, the team finished runner-up to De La Salle High School.[15] The Jackrabbits were subsequently smoked by the Loyola Cubs who won the CIF title in 2004 DeSean Jackson Afterwards the jackrabbits went on and won titles in 2007, 2008 and 2012.[15]
Former New York Giant Antonio Pierce was hired as head coach before the 2014 season.
4th and Forever edit
A reality television on Current TV, titled 4th and Forever, focuses on the school's strong football program. It has been called the real-life version of Friday Night Lights, but has also been derided as inaccurate and "[relying] on repetitive reality-show conventions".[17][18]
Controversies edit
2001: Campus arrest and suicide of student Andreas Wickstrom edit
On December 5, 2001, a school clerk informed a supervisor that he had found a bag of marijuana on campus, in the car of Andreas Wickstrom. The police were notified first, before Andreas's parents, John and Inge Wickstrom. Andreas was arrested and immediately taken to the youth detention facility on Pacific Avenue. Andreas was released in the custody of his mother, who "knew he was in pain" but did not suspect he would harm himself. Three hours after his arrest, Andreas shot himself at home with a shotgun belonging to his grandfather, a retired police officer. Inge recalled, "Andreas kept saying that they treated him like a criminal. There was no protection for him... At least if I had been called to go to the school, I could have reassured him that everything was going to be OK. The very people to whom I had entrusted his care that morning at Poly failed to protect him when he most needed it. If he had a headache or had injured himself, I would have been called immediately."[19]
2005: Graduation ceremony shooting edit
At 8:40pm on June 15, 2005, a fight began outside of Long Beach Veterans Memorial Stadium, followed by a shooting during the Long Beach Polytechnic High School graduation ceremony. "Authorities believe that someone was injured and driven from the scene because they discovered drops of blood. The victim, however, had not shown up at any area hospital, officials said. Two handguns were found at the scene, but it was unclear if either was the weapon involved. The graduation ceremony was just ending when the shooting occurred. The resulting police investigation caused long delays for people leaving the stadium."[20]
Filming location edit
Long Beach Poly has been the backdrop for many commercials, television shows, and films.
- The Craft (1996)
- American Beauty (1999)
- American Pie (1999)
- The Insider (1999)
- The Other Sister (1999)
- Even Stevens (2002) – Episode 3.15, "The Big Splash"
- Simple Plan (2002) – "I'm Just A Kid" music video
- P.O.D. (2003) – "Will You" music video
- Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003)
- MTV's MADE (2004) – Episode 5.1, "Surfing Selena"
- Monster Garage (2004) – Monster Nation 2 1966 Volkswagen Bug / Dune Buggy
- Sleepover (2004)
- Cold Case (2004) – Episode 1.22, "The Plan"
- Juicy Fruit (2005) – "CPR Dummy Steals Gum" commercial
- Coach Carter (2005)
- The New Guy (2002)
- Cold Case (2006) – Episode 3.12, "Detention"
- NCIS (2006) – Episode 3.18, "Bait"
- Paris Hilton (2006) – "Nothing In This World" music video
- Miss/Guided (2007) – pilot episode
- Nancy Drew (2007)
- Mind of Mencia (2007) – "Stereotype Olympics"
- Boston Legal (2007)
- Snoop Dogg's Father Hood (2008)
- Cold Case (2008) – Episode 6.2, "True Calling"
- Fired Up (2009)
- Oreo (2010) commercial
- When the Game Stands Tall (2014)
- Famous Footwear (2015) commercial
- Brian Banks (2019)
Notable alumni edit
This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (October 2015) |
Athletes edit
Baseball edit
- Charlie Williams, MLB umpire[24]
- Chase Utley[21]
- Chris Gwynn[21]
- Chuck Stevens
- James McDonald
- Jim Marshall, MLB player and manager[22]
- Milton Bradley[21]
- Ollie Brown
- Oscar Brown
- Randy Moffitt[21]
- Rocky Bridges
- Tony Gwynn
- Vern Stephens[23]
- Zeb Terry
Basketball edit
- Ben McDonald
- Jordan Bell
- Kenny Booker[25]
- Mack Calvin
- Michael Wiley
- Morlon Wiley
- Ozell Jones
- Peyton Watson
- Tyus Edney
Football edit
- Brandon Whiting
- Brian Banks
- Chuckie Miller
- Darnell Bing[26]
- David Howard
- DeSean Jackson[27]
- Earl R. McCullouch
- Gene Washington
- Hershel Dennis[26]
- Iman Marshall
- Isaiah Green
- Jack Jones[27]
- James Burton
- Jamize Olawale
- Jayon Brown
- Jim Lawson
- Johnny Morris
- Josh Love
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Jurrell Casey
- Kaelin Clay
- Kareem Kelly
- Ken-Yon Rambo
- Leonard Russell
- Manuel Wright[29]
- Marcedes Lewis[27]
- Mark Carrier[27]
- Marquez Pope[27]
- Matt Corral[28]
- Mike Kellogg
- Omar Stoutmire
- Pago Togafau[29]
- Samie Parker[27]
- Stephone Paige
- Terrence Austin
- Tony Hill
- Willie McGinest[27]
- Winston Justice[27]
Track and field edit
- Andrea Anderson[30]
- Ariana Washington
- Bryan Woodward
- Bryshon Nellum
- Earl Thomson[30]
- John Rambo[30]
- Martha Watson[30]
- Shalonda Solomon[30]
Other sports edit
- Alan Mouchawar, water polo
- Billie Jean King, tennis[27]
- Charles McCallister, medical doctor and Olympic water polo bronze medalist[32]
- Dottie Frazier, diver[33]
- Gary Gabelich, land speed record setter in Blue Flame
- Samantha Larson, mountaineer[31]
- Terry Kennedy, professional skateboarder
- Tom McEwen, drag racer and promoter
- Travis Ramsey, hockey
- Vania King, tennis
Entertainers edit
- Barbara Britton, actress[38]
- Bobby Burgess, dancer and singer[39]
- Cameron Diaz,[27] actress
- Carl Weathers, actor[43]
- Crooked I, rapper
- Edna Tichenor, actress
- Giveon, singer
- Gloria Dickson, actress
- Harold Ray Brown, musician, (War)
- Jenni Rivera, singer
- Jo Stafford,[36] singer
- Laraine Day[41][42]
- Lita Ford, musician
- Lupillo Rivera
- Marilyn Horne, opera singer
- Nick Wiger, writer/podcaster
- Norma Tanega,[37] musician and painter
- Percy Daggs III,[34] actor
- Perry Mattfeld, actress
- Samuel Grodin, pianist
- Sherwood Bailey, child actor in The Little Rascals
- Snoop Dogg,[27] rapper
- Spike Jones,[35] musician
- Thelma Houston, singer
- Van Heflin[40]
- Will Glover, musician (The Pyramids)
Other alumni edit
- Beverly O'Neill, three-term mayor of Long Beach[44]
- Chip Conley, businessman, author and speaker
- Don Callender, co-founder of Marie Callender's restaurant chain
- Dorothy Buffum Chandler, cultural leader and namesake of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, class of 1918[38]
- Edward W. Anderson, Air Force Major General[38]
- Gerald Desmond, prominent Democratic politician and namesake of the Gerald Desmond Bridge[45]
- Harlan Hagen, seven-term member of the United States House of Representatives, from 1953 to 1967
- Jane Anne Russell, endocrinologist
- Keith Kellogg, acting National Security Advisor[46]
- Robert Dickinson, Emmy-award winning lighting designer
- Samuel Grodin, pianist, lecturer and teacher
- Thad Balkman, District Judge for the 21st judicial district, Cleveland County, Oklahoma
References edit
- ^ a b c "Polytechnic High". National Center for Education Statistics. from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- ^ "About PACE". Poly PACE Parent Support Group. from the original on 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ a b "Pipeline to the NFL? Big states, schools are key" (English). USA Today. from the original on 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2006-04-21.
- ^ a b c "Best High School Athletic Programs" (English). from the original on 2006-04-22. Retrieved 2005-05-11.
- ^ "2020-21 Enrollment by Ethnicity and Grade: Polytechnic High". California Department of Education. from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Poly's Historical Timeline" (English). from the original on 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ "LONG BEACH POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL, AUDITORIUM" (PDF). Library of Congress. p. 7. (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b "Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Auditorium, 1600 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA". Library of Congress. from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
- ^ Grobaty, Tim (9 March 2013). "80 years later, children of 1933 Long Beach earthquake recall fear, excitement". Press Telegram. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- ^ Rasmussen, Emily (11 September 2018). "Long Beach Poly High School dedicates library to former principal Bob Ellis". Press Telegram. from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ Archbold, Rich. "Long Beach Poly Music Man Andy Osman Dies". www.Gazettes.com. from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "DataQuest (CA Dept of Education)". Data1.cde.ca.gov. 2010-03-23. from the original on 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- ^ "AP Data & Reports". Professionals.collegeboard.com. 2007-06-18. from the original on 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- ^ . Ed-data.k12.ca.us. Archived from the original on 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Championship game victory would only add to Long Beach Poly football legacy" (English). Press-Telegram. 13 December 2012. from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ a b "Poly star Bud Hollowell dies at 71". ocregister.com. 27 May 2014. from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ Knowles, David (24 May 2011). "4th and Forever: TV Review – The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ McNamara, Mary (26 May 2011). "'4th and Forever': TV review – latimes.com". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ "2001: Campus Arrest and Immediate Suicide of Student Andreas Wickstrom". SUICIDE: Out of the Darkness. from the original on 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ "2005: Graduation Ceremony Shooting". Parking Lot Shooting Mars Long Beach Poly Graduation. 16 June 2005. from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d MLB Draft Factories, Maxpreps.com, Jun 03, 2008.
- ^ "Jim Marshall Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2018-12-24.
- ^ Armour, Mark. "The Baseball Biography Project: Vern Stephens". Society for American Baseball Research. from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ City of Long Beach Baseball Hall of Fame 2017-10-18 at the Wayback Machine, City of Long Beach Parks and Recreation
- ^ "Kenny Booker". Long Beach City College Vikings. from the original on June 13, 2015.
- ^ a b The Reason 2007-06-16 at the Wayback Machine, WeAreSC.com, May 13, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k One high school, so many future NFL players , USATODAY, APR 22, 2008. 2011-05-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Dodd, Dennis (20 July 2021). "Ole Miss' Matt Corral faced a reckoning head on, allowing a team leader to emerge on the other side". CBS Sports. from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ a b Two High Schools Share Lead for Most NFL Players 2008-11-09 at the Wayback Machine, USA Football.com, SEP 27, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e . Archived from the original on 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
- ^ 18-year-old California woman scales Everest, becoming youngest to complete 'seven summits' 2009-11-05 at the Wayback Machine, The Associated Press, 19 May 2007
- ^ "Charles McCallister". USA Water Polo. from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (1 March 2022). "Dottie Frazier, a Pioneer in Diving the Deep Seas, Dies at 99". The New York Times. from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ . SideReel. 1982-07-20. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
- ^ Stanton, Scott (2003). The tombstone tourist : musicians (2nd ed.). New York: Pocket Books. pp. 136. ISBN 0-7434-6330-7.
Spike Jones high school polytechnic.
- ^ Leonard, Vince (19 March 1964). "Jo Stafford Easy Talker". The Pittsburgh Press. from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Williams, Vera (August 21, 1955). Independent Press-Telegram from. Long Beach, California. p. 68.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b c Shuit, Douglas (26 March 1998). "Despite All Odds, Poly Still Excels". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ Ruhl, Ashleigh. "Local Dancer Bobby Burgess Pens "Ears & Bubbles"". www.Gazettes.com. from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "Heflin, Emmett Evan". www.okhistory.org. Oklahoma Historical Society. from the original on 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ Capace, Nancy (2001). Encyclopedia of Utah. St. Clair Shores, MI: Somerset Publishers, Inc. pp. 180–182. ISBN 9780403096091.
- ^ Grobaty, Tim (2012). Location Filming in Long Beach. Charleston, SC: The History Press. ISBN 9781614237761. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ Kennedy, Mark (2 February 2024). "Carl Weathers dies at 76; ex-Raiders linebacker played Apollo Creed in 'Rocky' films". Orange County Register.
- ^ "The Honorable Beverly O'Neill". California State University, Long Beach. 2 August 2017. from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Rich Archbold (26 September 2020). "Who was Gerald Desmond, and why was a bridge named after him?". Press Telegram. from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Trump names Long Beach Poly grad to serve as acting national security adviser". Press-Telegram. February 13, 2017. from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
External links edit
- Official website
- LB Poly baseball players at The Baseball Cube
- LB Poly is #1 Sports High School in America at
- Polytechnic High School (2021 Ranking) | Long Beach, CA