Arnold O. Beckman High School
Arnold O. Beckman High School is a public school in Irvine, California, United States, serving 3,013 students from grades 9 through 12. The original $69 million facility (equivalent to $93 million in 2019) was opened on August 30, 2004. The Humanities Building - a new, $17 million, two-story, 30,000-square-foot facility - was unveiled on September 1, 2015. The school is commonly known as Beckman and is named after Arnold Orville Beckman: a scientist, chemist, and philanthropist famed for inventing the pH scale during his tenure at Caltech.
| Arnold O. Beckman High School | |
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| Location | |
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3588 Bryan Ave. Irvine, California 92602-1347 United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Be Tru. Be Blu. Be YOU! |
| Established | August 30, 2004 |
| Status | Open |
| School district | Tustin Unified School District |
| Principal | Donnie Rafter |
| Staff | 110.94 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 3,031 (2018-19)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 27.32[1] |
| Hours in school day | 7.5–8 Hours |
| Color(s) | Red, white, and blue |
| Athletics conference | Pacific Coast League |
| Mascot | Patrick the Patriot |
| Nickname | Beckman, BHS, Pats |
| Rival | Irvine High School |
| Newspaper | Beckman Chronicle |
| Yearbook | The Anthem |
| Television | BTV |
| Website | beckman |
Since its founding in 2004, Beckman has been awarded the status of a California Distinguished School by the California State Board of Education in 2007, 2011, 2015, and again in 2019. Beckman primarily serves the communities of Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Tustin Ranch, Northpark, Northwood, Sheridan, Orchard Hills, and West Irvine. Although its facilities are physically located in Irvine, the school is administered by Tustin Unified School District. Beckman's mascot is the Patriot.
Beckman is known for strong arts, music, athletic, and academic programs. It offers more than 20 Advanced Placement courses, eight instrumental music ensembles (and as many vocal and dance programs), studio arts and video production courses, and - in partnership with Irvine Valley College - the Early College Program, which gives Beckman students the opportunity to take undergraduate courses for credit in conjunction with their normal high school curriculum.
Beckman is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is also a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and complies with the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice.
The arts
Band
The 150-member Beckman High School Patriot Marching Band was formed in 2004. Since its inception, the band has grown in numbers and stature and has earned a reputation of excellence in musicianship. The group earned a first-place finish in its first parade, and since then has earned first-place finishes in 10 of the first 11 parades it has competed in. The band has participated in the Tustin Tiller Days Parade, MLK Parade in San Diego, Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles, the La Palma Days band review, Arcadia Band Review, the Whittier Christmas Parade, and Los Angeles County Fair. Also of note, the band has performed with the UCLA Marching Band in the Rose Bowl (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009) and the USC Marching Band in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (2004) and marched in parade at Disneyland (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017). In April 2008, the Patriot Marching Band earned an invitation to perform at the 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C. The band appeared in the 2010 Hollywood Santa Parade. Six sousaphone players of the marching band took part in the Rose Parade in 2011. The band performed in Sacramento and San Francisco in March 2012, and then Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Parade again in 2015. It has placed first and won sweepstakes four years in a row at the annual Tustin Tiller Days Parade. 1 clarinetist became the first student from Beckman to be in the Rose Parade Honor Marching Band in 2014. Several students also have gone on to perform in international performance groups, in places like Carnegie Hall in New York, and Paris.
During the school year, the marching band rehearses daily for an hour, with the only after-school rehearsals on the days of football games. The group performs for home football games and various student body events, and honors community Veterans with an annual Veterans' Day Concert. The Varsity Band, made up of select members of the Marching Band, performs at various Beckman High School boys' and girls' varsity sporting events (which have included water polo, basketball, and baseball games), therefore giving students an opportunity to earn their varsity letter in band.
There is also one active chamber group that has spawned from the Wind Ensemble. The "Paradox 5" Woodwind Quintet has achieved superior ratings at the SCSBOA Los Coyotes Solo and Ensemble District Festival during April 2008 and at the SCSBOA Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival during June 2008, the latter with the "Command Performance" honor.
Theatre
Beckman Theatre Arts competes at various theatre festivals throughout the year.
Orchestra
Beckman Orchestra has three levels: Chamber, Symphonic, and Concert.
Beckman's Chamber Orchestra has been invited five times, in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015, to attend a national music event in New York, where it has performed at Carnegie Hall. It now performs consecutively every 2 years. The orchestra has also attended many SCSBOA festivals, earning Superior ratings in all of them. The orchestra had been invited to perform at Disney Hall in 2011, but due to their recent trip to Carnegie Hall, the orchestra declined. The orchestra has been invited to Disneyland every year. In June 2012, the Orchestra attended and competed at the World's Festival at the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The Beckman Symphonic Orchestra is the middle level. This is where the sophomores, juniors, and seniors go if they do not make Chamber Orchestra. The group has earned Excellent and Superior ratings at the SCSBOA festivals.
The Beckman Concert Orchestra is composed of freshman and sophomore players only. They have received Superior ratings and has provided the skills important to Chamber Orchestra.
Vocal arts
The Beckman High School Chorale sings an extensive repertoire of music both classical and contemporary. It was formed in 2004 and has since grown to consist of over 100 participants. Throughout the years, a number of changes have taken place with the choirs. Currently there are three choir classes offered at Beckman. The Mixed Choir is a non-auditioned choir made up of underclassmen and upperclassmen. The Bel Canto Choir is an advanced auditioned group of underclassmen and upperclassmen women with a wide range of musical experiences, while the Madrigals Choir is an advanced, auditioned upperclassmen-only choir. The choirs have performed at Disneyland and many other festivals. Singers in these choirs have participated in honor choirs and competitions across the country and have received music scholarships to college.
Visual arts
In 2008 a visual arts student at Beckman High, won first place in Orange County in the Imagination Celebration Poster Contest. The works of other students were selected to be exhibited at the Orange County Fine Arts Gallery as well.[2]
In 2007, a student won second place in the photography division of the Music Center Spotlight Awards.[3]
In 2009, a student won the grand prize in the Olympus Student Photo Contest as well as the Adobe Youth Voices contest.[4]
In 2012, Beckman High School was represented by two students at the California State Science Fair.
Beckman hosted "A Miley-Sized Surprise" on December 31, 2008, featuring Miley Cyrus visiting Beckman.[5] This was an award for a student who raised awareness about breast cancer through her hard work and contributions to the BHS Pink Ribbon Club. The show aired on New Year's Eve, and had 12.5 million viewers.
Athletics
Beckman's athletics program include teams in football, water polo, swimming, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, wrestling, cross country, track and field, golf, dance, and cheer. However, because the school was brand new, and only had freshman and sophomores, many sports were forced to wait until the second year of the school's activity to play at the varsity level.
Softball
In 2007, softball won CIF.
Volleyball
The 2007–2008 Beckman varsity volleyball team made it into the CIF championships for the second year in a row. In 2007–08 Beckman was undefeated in its preseason, got first and second in two tournaments, and got second in the PCL. Beckman lost to Oxnard in 2006–07 in four games, but in the 2007–08 season Beckman triumphed over Hemet High School in three games. In 2018-2019, Beckman girl's volleyball won their first Pacific Coast League Championship. They also competed in the DII CIF-SS tournament, only losing to champions Los Alamitos.
Baseball
Beckman's baseball team has won seven Pacific Coast League Championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018). In 2009, the baseball team won first place in the Pacific Coast League and went to the CIF–SS Finals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In 2011, the baseball team won the CIF–SS Championship, defeating Woodbridge High School 4-1 at Dodger Stadium.[6] The Patriots have played in 3 CIF Finals. (2009, 2011, 2018)
In 2011, James Kaprielian was CIF Player of the Year. In 2015, Kaprielian was drafted in the 1st round of the MLB Draft (16th overall – New York Yankees) In 2018, shortstop Matt McLain was drafted in the 1st Round of the MLB Draft. (25th overall - Arizona Diamondbacks) Beckman plays its home games at Patriot Park .
Basketball
In the 2018-2019 season the Patriot Boys basketball won their first Pacific Coast League Championship. They also competed in the CIF-SS tournament, beating Twentynine Palms in Round 1 of the Division 3AA tournament.
Soccer
In 2009, Beckman's girls' varsity soccer team made it into the CIF Championship game. In 2019, Beckman girl's varsity soccer made an appearance to the CIF DI first round. In 2011, Beckman's boys' varsity soccer had their first-ever First Team All Pacific League Player and earned First Team All Orange County.
Football
Beckman's 2010 varsity football team earned their way into the CIF-SS Championships, but lost 30–31 due to a last-minute comeback by the Garden Grove Argonauts. In the 2011 football season, Beckman's varsity team made it to the CIF-Southern Section Finals, and lost to Corona del Mar 13–14.[7]
Golf
Beckman's 2014 men's golf team won the CIF- Southern Section at Talega Golf Club. This was the first CIF Championships in Beckman golf history.
Water Polo
In 2018-2019, Girls Water Polo won their first Pacific Coast League Championship and went on to appear in round one of the CIF-SS Division 3 tournament. For the Beckman boy’s Water Polo 2017-2018 Season, head coach Duje Grubisič was brought on. Since then, the team has presented several first and second team all league selections. In 2018, Beckman boy’s water polo also sent three players to the USAWP Cadet National team selection camp. For the 2018-2019 season, the boys finished in the top 28 of CIF-SS, competing in division II.
Cross Country
In 2018-2019, Girls Varsity Cross Country won their first league title at the Pacific Coast League Finals. Girls and Boys Varsity Cross Country went on to compete at CIF.
In 2019-2020, Girls and Boys Cross Country won the league title at the Pacific Coast League Finals. Both teams continued to CIF Prelims and CIF-SS Finals. Frosh-Soph boys and girls also won their divisions at the Pacific Coast League Finals.
Wrestling
In 2018-2019, the team had one wrestler make it to state championship and placed sixth in state.
In 2019, the wrestling team at Beckman High School won a 15 year rivalry against Irvine High School with a final score of 46-24 (Beckman). This is a first for the Beckman team since the school became operational in 2004.
In the 2019-2020 season, Beckman High School’s wrestling team received its first league championship title after a win against the area University High School with a final score of 66-9 (Beckman). The team also went undefeated for the first time in its league, 5-0.
References
- "Arnold O. Beckham High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- Mitchell, Lauren (March 4, 2008). "Orange County Imagination Celebration Festival". The Beckman Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- Jamil, Basha (March 4, 2008). "Picture Perfect". The Beckman Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- Jeon, John (November 11, 2009). "SHOO! It's Time for Chyi-Dean Shu!". The Beckman Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2014-08-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Beckman wins CIF Southern Section Division III Championship". Fox Sports West. June 2, 2011.
- Albano, Dan (December 10, 2011). "CdM captures Southern title with dramatic finish". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
