Independence High School (San Jose, California)
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| Principal | Ms. Cec Bell |
| Associate Principal (APED) | Mr. John Najac |
| Associate Principal (APA) | Mr. Ray Valverde |
| Villa Principal (A Villa) | Mr. Jesus Rios |
| Villa Principal (B Villa) | Mr. Paul Mansingh |
| Villa Principal (C Villa) | Mr. Warren Strouse |
| Villa Principal (D Villa) | Mr. Greg Meissner |
| School type | Public |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Location | San Jose, California |
| Enrollment | 3,711 (05-06) |
| Anthem | "The Star Spangled Banner" |
| Faculty | 270 |
| Campus surroundings | Suburban, upper middle-class |
| Advanced Placement Courses | Biology, Chemistry, Physics B, Physics C, Spanish Language, French Language, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, English, English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition, US History, US Government & Politics, Studio Art, Art History, Microeconomics |
| Honors Classes | English |
| Student Legislature | Associated Student Body Council of Independence |
| Student Newspapers | The Declaration of Independence; The Independent Voice |
| Yearbook | The American |
| Mascot | 76er |
| School Colors | Red, White, and Blue |
| Address | 1776 Educational Park Dr. San Jose, CA 95133 |
| Website | ih.ca.campusgrid.net |
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Independence High School is a public high school located in the Berryessa area of San Jose, California, USA. It serves the neighborhoods of Berryessa and East San Jose. The high school is located on Educational Park Drive and is just north of Overfelt Gardens. Student population is approximately 3900, with approximately 180 teachers serving the school. Independence is part of the East Side Union High School District.
Independence High School's mascot is the 76er (more commonly known as the SIXER), so-called because of its founding in 1976. It correlates to the patriots who signed the United States Constitution in 1776.
Currently the whole school is undergoing major renovation.
Campus
Independence High consists of over fifty buildings, each labeled with a specific domain. The four primary sets of buildings are referred to as the villas. A-Villa (American Hall), B-Villa (Bicentennial Hall), C-Villa (Constitution Hall), and D-Villa (Democracy Hall). During the fall of 2005, E-Villa (Eagle Hall) was removed indefinitely, only to be used as the name place for all music rooms. All villas are identical and are located at all major directions surrounding the Senior Stage.
Other structures include:
- E-Building, the Music Center entirely for all arts dedicated to music.
- G-Complex, the art complex composed entirely of all art classes on campus.
- H-Building, the main office located in the front of the school.
- K-Complex, generally used for all lab sciences, and home to the ASB room and bank.
- L-Complex, mainly used for real-life courses including business and childcare.
- M-Complex, predominantly used for industrial classes such as Woodshop,Space Technology Magnet, Auto, and Electronics.
- N-Complex, essentially used for most foreign language classes and the book room.
- P-Buildings, short for portables. Several portables were added during renovation.
Major Structures:
- Fukashima Large Gym (Officially re-opened as of February 8, 2006 after remodeling).
- Frank Fiscalini Pool Tower.
- Independence Planetarium.
- Clock Tower
The campus also consists of a small gym, an Olympic-sized racing and diving pool, an Olympic-sized track, four baseball fields, seven tennis courts, four major parking divisions, a digital temperature and clock tower, a public library, a studio and performing theater, and Memorial Grove, a relaxing, harmonious park located within the school where many students often enjoy their lunch beneath the shade of the trees.
Yearbook
Independence High School's award-winning yearbook, The American, is known for detailed writing. Its annual budget is $65,000. The 2006-2007 School Year will be the first school year in Independence's history to have a fully colored yearbook.
Band
Independence has a band program that includes Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. Independence also has Winter Percussion, WinterGuard (A and Open) programs.
Independence's band, the 76th Cavalry - Marching Band and Color Guard, was World Champion in 1981. To regain that title, the 76th Cavalry is currently competing in the WBA circuit and is in the AAA division. As of the 2006-2007 school year, the IHS Marching Band has changed to the AA division.
Choir
IHS has two choirs-- the Concert Choir and the Chamber Choir. Chamber Choir is audition only, auditions during May/June. The choirs have many concerts in December and May, but the Chamber Choir has a fundraising concert in Mid-January.
Dance
Dance classes offered at Independence include Jazz Dance 1 &and Jazz Dance 2-3, Ballet 1 & Ballet 2-4, Modern Dance 1 & Modern Dance 2-4, and Theater Dance (also known as the Independance Company, audition only).
Athletics
Most sports teams are divided among a Junior Varsity (JV) team and a Varsity team. Independence is one of the schools in the BVAL that does not offer a Men's Volleyball team, a Golf team, or a Field Hockey team.
Fall Sports Season
- Cross Country (Co-ed)
- Football
- Tennis (Women's)
- Volleyball (Women's)
- Water Polo (Men's & Women's)
Winter Sports Season
- Basketball (Men's & Women's)
- Soccer (Men's & Women's)
- Wrestling (Co-ed)
Spring Sports Season
- Badminton (Co-ed)
- Baseball (Men's)
- Softball (Women's)
- Swimming (Co-ed)
- Tennis (Men's)
- Track & Field (Co-ed)
Trivia
IHS is said to be the biggest high school in California in terms of area.
Media Coverage
The most recent media coverage Independence has encountered occurred on Tuesday, June 2, 2006. On this Tuesday initialized the first official day of finals for all non-Seniors of the 2006 school year. All students attending class on the day expecting to test for finals were greeted by a school prank committed the previous night. 180 doorknobs were vandalized by supergluing tanbark into all the key inserts of all 180 doorknobs affected. In addition, Class of 2006 was graffitied all over buildings, perhaps speculating that all criminals involved were members of the 2006 Class. All the doorknobs glued shut were blasted open. Replacements would cost the school thousands of dollars in repairs. The San Jose Police became involved, referring to the incident as a criminal offense, and all culprits are facing adult prosecutions. The consequence of the prank included the canceling of the Senior Picnic scheduled the same day.