How about a story about a high school where sewer problems led to temporary restrooms? That’s Chaparral High School for you. It is located on Annie Oakley Drive. This public high school in Las Vegas opened in 1973. Chaparral’s campus was designed by Caudill, Rowlett, Scott & Jack Miller & Associates. The Del E. Webb Corporation undertook construction.
Chaparral High School’s motto is: Rigor, Relevance, Relationships, and Responsibility. The mission is empowering students. This is done within an environment of rigor, relevance, relationships, and responsibility.
Chaparral’s mascot is Kevin the Cowboy. The school colors are orange, black, and white. Their fight song? It is the theme from The Magnificent Seven. Elmer Bernstein composed this classic western tune.
In 2023, Chaparral High School had 2,242 students. There were 79 staff members. The student-to-teacher ratio was about 28 to 1.
Chaparral offers many extracurricular activities. There is choir, band, and orchestra. Also, you can find dance, cheer leading, and theatre. They even have a Navy JROTC unit. Chaparral’s NJROTC program has one of the best color guards in CCSD. Their RTO performers are always competitive. In 2013 and 2014, the marksmanship team won the CCSD Air Rifle Championship. Cadets earned the Unit Achievement Award for that year.
Chaparral’s athletic teams are the Cowboys. They compete in the Sunset 1A Region. A big rivalry exists with Eldorado in football. It’s called The Battle for Merlin Olsen’s Cleat. This tradition started in 1973. Chaparral holds a significant lead in the series.
The 2012-2013 school year was successful for Chaparral’s sports. Men’s and women’s soccer went to the playoffs. Men’s and women’s basketball reached the second round. The women’s volleyball team made their first state playoff appearance in over 18 years.
Something less glorious happened, too. In 2023, Chaparral faced an emergency. The sewer system was operating at 45 percent capacity. This was due to heavy scale build-up, breaks, and cracks. Main building restrooms became unusable. This was to avoid flooding and toxic sewer gasses. The school district spent $4.9 million on repairs. Students used temporary restrooms during construction.
Chaparral High School has many notable alumni. Dustin Lee Abraham is a writer and producer. Mark Slaughter is a musician. Pace Mannion played NBA Basketball. Ginger Fish is a musician. Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton is a radio personality. Anthony E. Zuiker is a writer and producer. The new school theatre is named after him. Mark Stoermer and Brandon Flowers are musicians. Will Hernandez plays NFL football.
Chaparral continues to progress. It provides a comprehensive education to its students. Chaparral High School has a rich history. From sports victories to sewer emergencies, it has seen it all. It’s a place of learning, growth, and community.