John Burroughs High School (Burbank, California)

John Burroughs High School (Burbank, California) is a comprehensive public high school located in Burbank, California, operating within the Burbank Unified School District. Founded in 1948, it is named for the renowned American naturalist and essayist John Burroughs. The school serves students from the western portion of Burbank and a section of Los Angeles, maintaining a longstanding tradition of academic, artistic, and athletic achievement.

History

The school opened its doors in 1948 to alleviate overcrowding at neighboring Burbank High School, with its initial campus situated on the grounds of the former Burbank-Los Angeles airport. The school was named for John Burroughs, a prominent figure in the American conservation movement and a literary contemporary of Theodore Roosevelt. In 1953, the school relocated to its current, permanent 40-acre campus on West Clark Avenue, a site that has undergone significant modernization and expansion over subsequent decades. Throughout its history, the school has been deeply connected to the local aerospace and entertainment industries, with many students being children of employees from Lockheed and major Hollywood studios like Warner Bros. and Disney.

Academics

John Burroughs High School offers a comprehensive curriculum including numerous Advanced Placement courses and is recognized as a California Distinguished School. The school houses several specialized programs, including the highly selective International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the Medical Careers Academy. Students consistently perform above state and district averages on standardized assessments like the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. The school's performing arts departments, particularly its acclaimed instrumental music program and award-winning theatre program, have garnered regional and national recognition, with groups frequently performing at venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Athletics

Athletically, John Burroughs High School competes in the CIF Southern Section as a member of the Pacific League. The school's teams, known as the Indians, have a storied history of success, particularly in football, basketball, and track and field. The football program has won multiple CIF Southern Section championships, producing players who have advanced to collegiate programs in the NCAA Division I and the NFL. Other historically strong programs include baseball, softball, and cross country, with teams and individual athletes frequently competing in CIF State Championships.

Notable alumni

The school's alumni have achieved prominence across diverse fields, especially in entertainment and sports. In film and television, notable graduates include actor and director Tim Robbins, actress Michele Lee, and Academy Award-winning sound editor Mark Mangini. Music industry alumni encompass members of the rock band Linkin Park, including Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon. Sports figures include former Major League Baseball pitcher Jeff Suppan and NFL player Marlon Mcree. Other distinguished graduates include United States Air Force General William R. Looney III and journalist Michele Norris.

Campus and facilities

The expansive campus features a blend of original mid-century buildings and modern facilities. Academic and administrative needs are met by structures like the Muir Hall and a state-of-the-art Library Media Center. Athletic facilities include a 6,000-seat stadium, Memorial Field, for football and soccer, a baseball diamond, multiple tennis courts, and two gymnasiums. The visual and performing arts are supported by the Starlight Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater, a dedicated black box theater, and specialized studios for ceramics and digital media. Recent capital improvements have added modern STEM laboratories and renovated the school's historic main auditorium.

Category:High schools in Los Angeles County, California Category:Educational institutions established in 1948 Category:Burbank, California