Burbank High School

Burbank High School
Name	Burbank High School
Established	1908
Type	Public
District	Burbank Unified School District
Grades	9–12
Mascot	Bulldogs
City	Burbank
State	California
Country	United States

Burbank High School Burbank High School is a public secondary school in Burbank, California, serving grades 9–12 within the Burbank Unified School District, located in Los Angeles County near Hollywood and Glendale. The school has evolved alongside regional institutions such as Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios, and Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, and has produced alumni active in industries linked to Paramount Pictures, NBCUniversal, and the American Film Institute. The campus functions as a community hub connecting municipal entities like the City of Burbank, Burbank Parks and Recreation, and the Burbank Public Library.

History

The school's origins date to the early 20th century during the growth of Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley, with local developments tied to the Southern Pacific Railroad, Pacific Electric Railway, and the City of Burbank incorporation. Over decades the institution experienced changes reflecting regional trends around Hollywood, the Motion Picture Industry, and the entertainment economy represented by companies such as Warner Bros., Walt Disney Company, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. During World War II and the Cold War eras the school community intersected with military-related industries including North American Aviation, Lockheed, and Douglas Aircraft, while postwar suburban expansion involved planners and agencies like the Federal Housing Administration and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Civic partnerships with the Burbank Unified School District, Los Angeles County Office of Education, and the California Department of Education shaped curriculum and facilities, influenced by statewide initiatives including the California State Legislature and statewide assessments such as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. Historic preservation efforts have engaged the City of Burbank Cultural Affairs Commission and local historical societies, alongside national trends exemplified by the National Register of Historic Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Campus and Facilities

The campus sits amid neighborhoods connected to San Fernando Valley corridors, proximate to landmarks such as Griffith Park, Downtown Burbank, and the Bob Hope Airport (Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport). Facilities have been modernized with support from the California Office of Public School Construction, Los Angeles County Service Area programs, and community bond measures overseen by the Burbank Unified School District Board of Education. Academic buildings, performance venues, and athletic complexes host events aligned with institutions like the Burbank Center for the Performing Arts, Valhalla Memorial Park, and the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center wellness programs. Science laboratories are equipped to support collaborations with nearby universities and colleges, including the University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge, and the ArtCenter College of Design. The campus theater and music spaces attract partnerships with performing arts organizations such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and local conservatories like the Colburn School.

Academics and Programs

Academic offerings reflect standards set by the California Department of Education and include Advanced Placement courses administered by the College Board, career technical education aligned with the California Career Pathways Trust, and college preparatory counseling coordinated with the University of California and California State University systems. STEM programs engage resources from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, and regional biotech firms including Amgen and Gilead Sciences, while arts pathways collaborate with institutions such as the American Film Institute, SAG-AFTRA, and the Recording Academy. Language programs and world studies reference exchanges and curricula informed by the U.S. Department of State, UNESCO partnerships, and sister-city relationships like those with Incheon and Ōta. Vocational and apprenticeship opportunities are offered through links to the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Local Union apprenticeship programs, and CalWORKs services, supplemented by practices from nonprofit partners such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Extracurricular Activities

Student clubs and organizations range from chapters of national groups like the National Honor Society, Key Club International, and Future Farmers of America to arts ensembles connected with local institutions such as the Hollywood Bowl, Pasadena Symphony, and Regional Occupational Centers. Debate and forensics teams participate in tournaments sponsored by the National Speech & Debate Association and California Debate League, while robotics and engineering teams compete in FIRST Robotics Competition events and VEX Robotics tournaments supported by corporate sponsors like Northrop Grumman and Northrop Grumman Foundation. Community service initiatives collaborate with the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and environmental clubs coordinate projects with the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

Athletics

Athletic programs compete in leagues governed by the California Interscholastic Federation and have produced competitors in sports traditions shared with nearby high schools and colleges such as Loyola High School, Hollywood High School, and University of Southern California. Sports offerings include football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track and field, swimming, wrestling, volleyball, and cross country, with training influenced by professional organizations like USA Track & Field, USA Swimming, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Facilities support matches drawing attention from local media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, LA Daily News, and regional sports broadcasters, and alumni athletes have progressed to collegiate programs across the Pac-12 Conference, Big West Conference, and Mountain West Conference.

Notable Alumni

Alumni lists contain figures active in film, television, music, sports, and public service connected to studios and institutions such as Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, NBC, ABC, CBS, Universal Studios, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Recording Academy, and professional sports leagues like the National Football League and Major League Baseball. Graduates have pursued careers in entertainment working with directors and producers linked to names such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese, while musicians have collaborated with orchestras and record labels such as Capitol Records, Columbia Records, and Interscope. Public figures among alumni have served in capacities interacting with entities like the California State Assembly, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Category:High schools in Los Angeles County, California