Redwood High School (Larkspur, California): Difference between revisions

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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}

{{Infobox Secondary school

{{coord|37|56|17|N|122|31|27|W|region:US-CA_type:edu_source:gnis|display=title|notes=<ref>{{gnis|231436|Redwood High School}}</ref>}}

{{Infobox school

| name = Redwood High School

| logo = [[Image:redwoodhs.jpg]]

| motto =

| established = 1958

| type = [[Public school (government funded)|Public school]]

| principal = NancyBarnaby NeuPayne

| faculty = 140

| studentsratio = 1508

| students = 1,801 (2023-24)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=0638790&ID=063879006523|title=Redwood High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref>

| mascot = [[Giant]]

| mascot = "Big Red" ([[Giant (mythology)|Giant]])

| colors = Red & Grey

| colors = Red & Grey {{Color box|red|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#808080|border=darkgray}}

| city = [[Larkspur]]

| statecity = [[Larkspur, California|Larkspur]]

| countrystate = [[USA]]California

| country = USA

| website = [http://redwood.org/ www.redwood.org]

| website = [http://redwood.tamdistrict.org/ redwood.tamdistrict.org]

| grades = 9 - 12

| grades = 9–12

| average

| address = [http://redwood.org/rhs/general/maps/map2.htm 395 Doherty Drive]

| newspaper = [http://redwoodredwoodbark.org/bark Redwood Bark]

| yearbook = The Log

|district = [[Tamalpais Union High School District]]|grade12 = 476|grade9 = 432|grade10 = 461|grade11 = 432|coordinates = {{Coord|37|56|17|N|122|31|27|W|type:edu_region:US-CA|display=inline}}|school_code = [[CEEB]] 051361|campus = Suburban|athletics_conference = [[North Coast Section]] (NCS), Marin County Athletic League (MCAL)|team_name = Giants|rival = [[Marin Catholic High School]]|feeder_schools = [[Del Mar Middle School]]<br>[[Henry Hall Middle School (Larkspur, California)|Hall Middle School]]<br>[[Kent Middle School]]<br/>Ross Middle School}}

}}

'''Redwood High School''' is a public secondary school located in the city of [[Larkspur, California|Larkspur]], [[Marin County]], California, approximately 19 miles north of [[San Francisco]]. Redwood High is part of the [[Tamalpais Union High School District]] (TUHSD). The school serves the cities of [[Belvedere, California|Belvedere]], [[Corte Madera, California|Corte Madera]], [[Greenbrae, California|Greenbrae]], [[Kentfield, California|Kentfield]], [[Larkspur, California|Larkspur]], [[Ross, California|Ross]], and [[Tiburon, California|Tiburon]].<ref>"[http://www.tamdistrict.org/cms/lib8/CA01000875/Centricity/Domain/912/RHS_Profile2016-17.pdf Redwood High School]" (2016-2017 profile). [[Tamalpais Union High School District]]. Retrieved on January 26, 2017.</ref>

The school houses the TUHSD headquarters.<ref>[http://www.tamdistrict.org/ Home]. [[Tamalpais Union High School District]]. Retrieved on January 26, 2017. "Contact Us 395 Doherty Dr Larkspur, CA 94939"</ref><ref>[http://www.tamdistrict.org/redwood Home]. Redwood High School. Retrieved on January 26, 2017. "Address Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939"</ref><ref>"[http://www.tamdistrict.org/___domain/88#gym Campus and Building Maps]." Redwood High School. Retrieved om January 27, 2017. See: "CEA, 400's, District Office" on the map</ref>

:''For other "Redwood High Schools" , see [[Redwood High School (disambiguation)]].''

== History ==

'''Redwood High School''' is a public [[High school|secondary school]] located in the city of [[Larkspur, California|Larkspur]], [[Marin County]], [[California]], approximately 11 miles north of [[San Francisco]]. Redwood High is part of the [[Tamalpais Union High School District]]. The school serves the cities of [[Belvedere, California|Belvedere]], [[Corte Madera, California|Corte Madera]], [[Greenbrae, California|Greenbrae]], [[Kentfield, California|Kentfield]], [[Larkspur, California|Larkspur]], [[Ross, California|Ross]], and [[Tiburon, California|Tiburon]].

By 1957, the school age population of the Tamalpais Union High School District had grown too large for [[Tamalpais High School]] and [[Archie Williams High School]] to accommodate. With the pressure of students coming in from elementary schools from [[Sausalito]] to [[Belvedere, California|Belvedere]] to [[Ross, California|Ross]], voters chose to create a new school, and chosen for its site was the marshy area that extended east from the centrally located town of Larkspur to [[U.S. Route 101]], an area that townspeople had called "the slough" since Larkspur was settled. The importance of [[wetlands]] was not yet widely appreciated (this was the era right before [[Save the Bay]] was founded), and the land was seen as "waste." Beginning in early 1957, a large section of the marsh was flattened and filled, two roads were cut through from Magnolia Avenue out to the new school, and school buildings were constructed, along with a playing field and parking lot.

The school opened its doors in 1958. The first students who were to attend the new high school chose the name of the newspaper and sports teams: the Giants became their mascot in reference to the nearby [[Sequoia sempervirens|redwood trees]]. School publications followed the tree theme: the Bark became the school's newspaper, and the Log the school's yearbook. The colors red and gray were a source of much contention, but were finally accepted.

On September 11, 2008, Redwood was recognized by the federal [[Blue Ribbon Schools Program]].<ref>[http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_10430454 Rob Rogers, ''Marin Independent Journal,'' "Redwood Recognized as Blue Ribbon School," 2008-09-11], accessed 2008-09-11</ref>

== History ==

RedwoodThe Highschool Schoolhas wasreceived established inthe [[1958]]; a modernization project was completed in 2005. Since [[1996]], Redwood has been designated as a California Distinguished School.]]

award three times (1990, 1996, and 2003).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tamdistrict.org/cms/lib/CA01000875/Centricity/Domain/93/WASC-Report2006-07.pdf | title=WASC Report 2006-2007 | publisher=Redwood High School | year=2007 | access-date=May 15, 2013}}</ref>

== Campus ==

[[File:Redwood High School, Larkspur, California -- main entrance.jpg|thumb|Redwood High School, main entrance]]

[[Image:Redwoodhscampus.jpg|left|thumb]]Redwood High School occupies 64 acres, with views of [[Mount Tamalpais]] in the distance. The main school building contains approximately 80 classrooms, four computer labs, the [http://rhslibrary.org Bessie Chin Library], and a theater. Other buildings on the campus contain industrial technology areas, art and photography rooms, and the cafeteria (known as the CEA--Covered Eating Area). The campus also contains a large gymnasium with two weight rooms, a swimming pool, a diving pool, tennis courts, a track, athletic fields, and an outdoor amphitheatre. Marin Community Fields, which are located adjacent to the high school, are available for student recreation.

Redwood High School is set at the foot of [[Mount Tamalpais]] on a 63.88-acre campus which has 81 classrooms, a library, theater, swimming pool, and athletics fields. The original campus was opened in 1958, with additions to the main building made over the next few years. Redwood's main school building (an original; see above) contains approximately 80 classrooms, the [https://librarytechnology.org/library/5529 Bessie Chin Library], four labs, and the theater. Other buildings on the campus contain industrial technology areas; photography, ceramics, and graphic arts studios; band room; and a cafeteria. Other sports and performance facilities include a large gymnasium and smaller gym, a 40-meter swimming pool, tennis courts, a track, athletic fields, and an outdoor amphitheater.

The original Redwood High School campus was opened in 1958; additions to the main building were made over the next few years. Between 2002 and 2006, Redwood embarked on a major modernization process financed through a bond measure passed by district voters. Approximately forty million dollars were spent to remodel classrooms, refurbish the gymnasium and theater, and add new athletic fields. The modernization process included upgrades to the technology networking system in most classrooms. In the spring of 2006, Redwood art students created a 40-foot mural of the Marin County countryside. The mural was created on an exterior wall of the school district offices.

Between 2002 and 2006, Redwood High School undertook major modernization as part of a $121 million facilities bond measure approved by the Tam District voters. Approximately $40 million was spent to remodel classrooms, refurbish the gymnasium, tennis courts, and theater, and install new athletics fields. In 2007–2008 Redwood again rebuilt the often flooded parking lot. During the 2008–2009 school year, a new small gymnasium was constructed, the 40-meter pool was built, and new tennis courts laid. During the summer of 2011, an experimental classroom space was created to allow teachers the opportunity to explore new technologies, classroom management, and instructional strategies.

== Daily Bell Schedule ==

In the spring of 2006, Redwood art students created a 40-foot mural of the Marin County countryside. The mural was created on an exterior wall of the cafeteria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_3819483|title=Appreciating life in Marin: Redwood students create 40-foot mural of countryside|date=May 13, 2006|author=Gollan, Jennifer|publisher=[[Marin Independent Journal]]}}</ref>

There are seven class periods, although students may take as few as six periods. All seven periods meet for 50 minutes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays only the odd periods meet (for 90 minutes), and on Thursdays only the even periods meet (also for 90 minutes), followed by 40-minute office hours. Classes start each day at 8:00 a.m., and school lets out at 3:11 p.m. (3:20 p.m. on Mondays and 1:36 p.m. on most Thursdays).

== StudentsNotable alumni ==

The following breakdown of students based on ethnicity is from 2004 enrollment data.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|-

!bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Student Ethnicity !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Number !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Percent

|-

| [[African American]] || 29 || 2.1

|-

| [[Asian American]] || 95 || 6.4

|-

| [[Hispanic]] || 60 || 4.1

|-

| [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] || 9 || .6

|-

| [[Pacific Islander]] || 3 || .2

|-

| [[White (people)|White]], non-Hispanic || 1,211 || 82.5

|-

| Multiple or no response || 60 || 4.1

|-

|}

* [[Mike Altman]], Olympic rower

* [[Greg Behrendt]], stand-up comedian, author, TV performer

* [[Buddy Biancalana]], shortstop for [[1985 World Series]] champion [[Kansas City Royals]]<ref name="AHOF">{{Cite web |url=http://redwoodalumni.org/athleticHOF.html |title=Redwood Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame |access-date=May 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625153130/http://redwoodalumni.org/athleticHOF.html |archive-date=June 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="MAF">[http://marinathleticfoundation.org/Hall-of-Fame.htm Marin Athletic Foundation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328014637/http://marinathleticfoundation.org/Hall-of-Fame.htm |date=March 28, 2010 }}</ref>

*[[William Gagan]]

* [[Gunnar Carlsson]],<ref name="AOG">{{Cite web |url=http://redwoodalumni.org/AOG.html |title=Redwood High School Distinguished Alumni Avenue of the Giants |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021101358/http://redwoodalumni.org/AOG.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> professor, Department of Mathematics, [[Stanford University|Stanford]]<ref>[http://math.stanford.edu/~gunnar/ Stanford University Department of Mathematics]</ref>

* [[Pete Carroll]], former [[Seattle Seahawks]] head coach and former [[University of Southern California|USC]] head coach<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/carroll_pete00.html |title=Player Bio: Pete Carroll: Football<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 26, 2006 |archive-date=August 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811032053/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/carroll_pete00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* [[Gabrielle Carteris]], actress, ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''

*[[Jake Curhan]] (born 1998), [[American football]] [[offensive tackle]] for the [[Seattle Seahawks]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL)

* [[Matt Doyle (actor)|Matt Doyle]], actor<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2699064/ Doyle at IMDB]</ref>

* [[David Dukes]], film, television, and Tony Award-nominated stage actor

* [[Steve Fainaru]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning investigative journalist, co-author of ''[[League of Denial]]''

* [[Mark Fainaru-Wada]], investigative journalist, co-author of ''[[Game of Shadows]]''<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/22/MNGHMLAGQ31.DTL SF Chronicle profile of Mark Fainaru-Wada]</ref><ref name="BrothersFainaru">{{cite journal|last=Strupp|first=Joe|date=July 19, 2006|title=The Brothers Fainaru: From Baseball to Baghdad|journal=Editor & Publisher|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/business-services-miscellaneous-business/4699349-1.html|access-date=December 31, 2008}}</ref>

* [[Gary Fisher]], [[mountain bike]] innovator, promoter

* [[Ken Flax]] (1981), two-time Olympic athlete, holder of [[List of United States collegiate records in track and field|NCAA record]] in the [[hammer throw]]<ref name="AHOF" />

* [[Don Francis]] M.D.,<ref name="AOG" /> [[epidemiologist]], pioneer in AIDS and HIV research<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.gavinnewsom.com/ Act Locally SF<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

* [[Erin Gray]], actress, ''[[Silver Spoons]]''

* [[Cooper Helfet]], tight end for [[Seattle Seahawks]]

* [[J. R. Hildebrand]], Indycar Series driver and [[2011 Indianapolis 500]] runner-up

* [[Peter Horton]], actor and director

* [[Maz Jobrani]], Iranian-American comedian

* [[China Kantner]], MTV VJ and actress

* [[Chad Kreuter]], MLB catcher 1988-2003 and [[University of Southern California|USC]] baseball coach<ref name="AHOF" /><ref name="MAF" />

* [[Anne Lamott]], author

* [[Richard Laymon]], author

* [[Matthew Leutwyler]], producer, director, owner Ambush Entertainment

* [[John Walker Lindh]], the "American [[Taliban]]"<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Feds to ease restrictions on 'American Taliban' John Walker Lindh|url=http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_1194168|publisher=MarinIJ.com|date=March 18, 2009|access-date=August 7, 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

* [[Ki Longfellow]], aka Pamela Longfellow, novelist, author of ''[[The Secret Magdalene (book)|The Secret Magdalene]]'',<ref>[http://www.thesecretmagdalene.com The Secret Magdalene<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ''Flow Down Like Silver, Hypatia of Alexandria''<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/0975925598 Amazon.com: Flow Down Like Silver (Hypatia of Alexandria) (9780975925591): Ki Longfellow: Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

* [[Andy Luckey]], producer of ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', ''[[Adventures from the Book of Virtues]]'', author and illustrator

* [[Lon McEachern]], host, ''World Series of Poker'' (ESPN)

* [[Gavin Newsom]],<ref name="AOG" /> Governor of California,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.ca.gov | title=Governor Gavin Newsom | publisher=Office of Governor | access-date= January 7, 2019}}</ref> previously Lieutenant Governor of California<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ltg.ca.gov/s_lt.govnewsom.html | title=About Gavin Newsom | publisher=Office of Lieutenant Governor | access-date=May 14, 2013 | archive-date=September 24, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924031625/http://ltg.ca.gov/s_lt.govnewsom.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> and Mayor of San Francisco.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

* [[Ned Overend]], cyclist

* [[Eric Schmitt (journalist)|Eric Schmitt]],<ref name="AOG" /> [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning journalist, ''[[The New York Times]]''<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoimZbzvIv0 Eric Schmitt reports on Iraq]</ref>

* [[Tiffany Shlain]], founder of [[Webby Awards]]

* [[David Strathairn]],<ref name="AOG" /> Oscar-nominated actor, notable for roles in ''[[Sneakers (1992 film)|Sneakers]]'', ''[[Good Night, and Good Luck]]'', and ''[[Lincoln (2012 film)|Lincoln]]''

* [[Nicholas Suntzeff]],<ref name="AOG" /> [[astronomer]] and [[cosmologist]], [[Gruber Prize]] Laureate of 2007 for discovery of [[dark energy]] and [[Accelerating Universe]]<ref name=autogenerated1 />

*[[Dina Temple-Raston]],<ref name="AOG" /> journalist for [[Bloomberg News]] and [[National Public Radio|NPR]]

*[[Twinka Thiebaud]], writer and model

*[[Russell Weiner]], creator of [[Rockstar energy drink]], son of [[Michael Savage]]

*[[Robin Williams]], comedian and Oscar-winning actor<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pittman|first1=Travis|title=Pete Carroll and Robin Williams were high school classmates|url=http://www.king5.com/sports/Pete-Carroll-Robin-Williams-classmates-270914321.html|website=KING5.com|publisher=King Broadcasting Company, A Gannett Company|access-date=12 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813061610/http://www.king5.com/sports/Pete-Carroll-Robin-Williams-classmates-270914321.html|archive-date=August 13, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==References==

== Faculty & Staff ==

{{Reflist|2}}

* [http://www.redwood.org/rhs/staffinfo.htm Staff E-mail Listings & Room Information]

==External links==

{{commons category}}

* [http://www.redwood.org Redwood High School Official Web Site]

{{Marin County, California Schools}}

{{authority control}}

== Extracurricular Activities ==

'''Fall Sports'''

Football,

Cheer and Dance,

Water Polo,

Cross Country,

Boys Soccer,

Girls Tennis,

Girls Golf,

Girls Volleyball

'''Winter Sports'''

Wrestling,

Basketball

'''Spring Sports'''

Baseball,

Softball,

Swimming & Diving,

Track & Field,

Boys Golf,

Girls Soccer,

Lacrosse,

Boys Volleyball

Boys Tennis

Girls Lacrosse

'''Notable Club Sports'''

Rugby (Spring),

Crew (Year-round)

'''Other Extracurriculars'''

Redwood High has a notable drama program. The student-run theatre company, EPiC, which stands for Ensemble Theatre Company (the i is in your imagination), holds year round productions. Entries from EPiC in theatre festivals like the Motherload Drama Festival contiuously get top marks.

== Noteworthy Events ==

In the spring of 2006, Redwood gained notoriety for a "dead chicken" prank. On May 24, 2006, seven chickens some seniors had purchased at a live market in Chinatown were found dead. The pranksters had intended to release a total of 32 chickens in the halls between class periods. However, the 32 chickens came with bound feet and were left in a cardboard box in a hot car before the prank. Officials were called and the humane society responded. A student tip-off led the administration to the pranksters and caused their capture. Those involved faced possible criminal charges. The four students most directly involved were not allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. The incident made it into the local newspaper, as well as several major newspapers around the country.[http://www.marinij.com/fastsearchresults/ci_3870749]

== Notable Alumni ==

* [[Robin Williams]], comedian and actor <ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000245/bio</ref>

* [[Pete Carroll]], current [[University of Southern California|USC]] head football coach, <ref>http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/carroll_pete00.html</ref> (He was a 3-sport (football, basketball and baseball) standout at Redwood High, earning the school's Athlete of the Year award as a senior.)

* [[John Walker Lindh]], the American Taliban

* [[Gavin Newsom]], mayor of San Francisco<ref>http://www.gavinnewsom.com/</ref>

* [[Gabrielle Carteris]], actress

* [[David Strathairn]], actor most notably for his roles in Sneakers and Good Night and Good Luck

* [[Ned Overend]], world class cycling legend

* [[Gary Fisher]], mountain bike inventor

* [[Zack Vank]], centerfielder for the [[Omaha Royals]] (Kansas City Royals AAA affiliate).

* [[Eric Schmitt]], Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist for the [[New York Times]].

== External links ==

* [http://www.redwood.org Redwood High School Official Web Site]

* [http://www.redwood.org/rhs/staffinfo.htm Staff E-mail Listings & Room Information]

* [http://www.redwood.org/rhs/instguid.pdf Redwood High School Instructional Guide]

* [http://www.tamdistrict.org/sarc/redwood.htm School Accountability Report Card]

* [http://www.redwood.org/bark Redwood Bark (School Newspaper)]

* [http://www.rhsnibbles.com RHS Nibbles (School-wide Game)]

* [http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_3819483 Redwood Mural]

[[Category:High schools in Marin County, California]]

[[Category:International Baccalaureate schools in California]]

[[Category:Larkspur, California]]

[[Category:Public high schools in California]]

[[Category:1958 establishments in California]]

[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1958]]

[[Category:High schools in California]]