Ed W. Clark High School

Ed W. Clark High School, opened in 1965, is a nine-month public high school that is part of the Clark County School District and is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In addition to its standard curriculum, Clark High School is home to three four-year magnet programs: the Academy of Finance; the Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Applied Technology; and the TEACH (Teacher Education at Clark High) program.

Slogan

"Educating Today....For Tomorrow"

The Magnet Programs

• Academy of Finance: (A.O.F.)
• Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Applied Technology: (A.M.S.A.T.)
• Teacher Education At Clark High: (T.E.A.C.H.)

Notable alumni

• John Ensign, Senator (R-NV)
• Steven Fales, Broadway actor and comedian.
• Jimmy Kimmel, Talk show host and comedian.
• Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Musician/Drummer of The Killers.
• Ron Merkerson, professional football player

Performing arts

Clark High School is home to a number of award-winning performing groups, including the orchestra, band, choir, and theatre.

The orchestra, under the direction of Chuck Cushinery, is the largest in the CCSD, outnumbering the orchestra of Las Vegas Academy. Now with a beginning orchestra, any student who wishes to learn how to play classical string instrument may join the orchestra. There are also the intermediate and advanced orchestras for more experienced players. In addition to that, more proficient musicians may opt to audition for the chamber orchestra, which challenges students with a considerably advanced repertoire.

The marching band, directed by Jeff Lacoff and Nick Aultz, had made finals in the Las Vegas Invitational for regional marching bands last year (year of 2006-2007). The marching band divides into two bands during the winter and spring seasons: the symphonic band (for the intermediate musicians) and the wind ensemble (for the advanced musicians). Clark High School is one of the few high schools to offer beginning band to students. Also, jazz band is currently directed by Nick Aultz.

Clark High School was the first high school in the Clark County School District to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Recently, Clark's full orchestra (consisting of orchestra and band) performed for a full house at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.

Rebuilding

Due to a high quantity of asbestos found in the insulation of the school, Clark High was closed for the 1987-1988 school year. Students had to attend 'Double Sessions' at neighboring Bonanza High School for the duration of the school year. The building, however, was able to be used for athletic events during the year with all home games scheduled on the facility. The school was given a new, more streamlined look on the inside with the snaking hallways straightened and the windows at the top of all interior walls removed(first hand account by 1988 graduate Gregory Fessia).

"The Charger Chant," the school's newspaper, stated in an article that Clark High School is "next on the list" to be rebuilt, coming in right after Rancho High School. The new project was meant to be started in June of 2006, but was later postponed. No reason was given of why the project hasn't started nor a new date was set, yet it is said that construction may be started in 2009.

Athletics

The athletics program at Clark High School is known as the Chargers and compete in the Southwest Division of the Sunset 4A Region. Clark's football team, once a competitive program, has gone through a slump of late including a 49-game losing streak which lasted almost five years and was finally snapped in 2007.

Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships

• Bowling - 2007
• Football - 1968, 1971, 1972, 1993
• Soccer (Boys) - 1988
• Volleyball (Girls) - 1981, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992

Trivia

Clark High School is the second high school in the Vegas Valley to receive a total overhaul of the interior including the asbestos removal and fire retrofit projects(the first high school is Valley High School which utilized neighboring Chaparral High School during the 1986-1987 school year).

Clark High School is the only high school in the Clark County School District to be named after an individual.

Gallery

References

• http://www.ccsd.net/schools/clark/
• http://www.reviewjournal.com/communitylink/schools/clark.html
• http://www.nevadareportcard.com/profile/ethnicity.aspx?levelid=S&entityid=02401&yearid=05-06
• http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7071403