Cougarpalooza:
What You Need to Know
Welcome to Christopher High School Class of 2026! We are excited to have you join our school community in August, and invite you to learn more about our campus by watching our Cougarpalooza video.
Spanish translation is available through YouTube's closed captioning.
Traducción al español esta disponible a través de los subtítulos de YouTube.
It's great to be a Cougar
Life on Campus
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY (ASB)
Are you looking to make the MOST of your high school experience?! Are you hoping to make new friends by collaborating on fun projects? Join our Leadership Crew to create the exciting events that happen at CHS – movie nights, lunchtime activities, rallies, and dances. Be at the heart of our Cougar culture as a member of our Leadership Crew! Learn more about ASB
CHOIR
CHOIR
Being part of the CHS Choirs is one of GUSD's legacy programs pioneered by Mr. Phil Robb. Students in the CHS Choirs receive opportunities to travel, perform, and serve our community. There are choirs for all ability levels – no previous experience is necessary! We welcome any and all students. Learn more about choir.
BAND
BAND
The Christopher Band is an academic, competitive program that travels and represents the greater community regularly. Students learn music theory while performing both new and standard works in the wind, and percussion ensemble repertoire. The band competes in Bands of America and US Bands, represents Gilroy in televised parades, and performs at competitive concert festivals. Our program is focused on college scholarship and admissions preparation, and instilling a life-long appreciation for music in our students. Beginning band option are available during the 2022-2023 school year for students no or limited prior experience. Learn more about band
ATHLETICS
ATHLETICS
Christopher High Athletics offers 20 different sports throughout three different season during the school year. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to try new sports, even if they have never played them competitively before. Our coaches are dedicated to the growth and development of our student-athletes on and off of the field of play and provide meaningful learning opportunities to assist in developing their habits, attitudes, and ideals to be used beyond athletics. Learn more about the sports community
COMPUTER SCIENCE ACADEMY
COMPUTER SCIENCE ACADEMY (CSA)
The Computer Science Academy at Christopher High School welcomes our incoming freshman class! The Christopher High Computer Science Academy provides four years of preparatory classes with hands-on opportunities to learn computer science skills using curriculum developed by Project Lead The Way (PLTW). If you like solving puzzles, you are perfect for our program! Learn more about the CSA
LINK CREW
CHS LINK CREW
Link Crew is a program designed to welcome and support our incoming freshmen! At the start of the school year, every freshman is matched with a Link Leader who will help mentor and support them throughout their first year of high school. Link Leaders are positive, responsible, hand-selected 11th and 12th graders who will do all they can to help our freshmen achieve success. Freshmen will have the chance to meet their Link Leaders at Orientation, an awesome event which is held about a week or so before school starts in August. Details about orientation will be emailed out to students’ school emails in late July.
Envision Academy
ENVISION ACADEMY
Envision Academy is a daily, blended learning, online (Edmentum software) program where students take 1-3 classes in the on-campus Envision Academy classroom, and take their remaining courses on the Gilroy High School campus. In the Envision Academy classroom, teachers help students with coursework and mastery of standards based content. Learn more about Envision Academy.
CHEER AND DANCE
CHEER AND DANCE
"A good cheerleader and dancer is not measured by the height of one's jump, but by the span of one's spirit!" We will tell you that some of your best years were the ones spent with your high school cheer and dance team. The friends you make, the confidence you build and the discipline you develop, will all shape you into a well-rounded person. If you are committed, hard-working, enthusiastic, motivated and carry a positive attitude, you already have what it takes to be part of our team. The CHS Cheer and Dance Team invites you to join us!. Learn more about CHS Cheer and Dance
THEATER ARTS
CATAMOUNT ACTORS THEATRE
Whether you aspire to a career in theatre, film, or television, enjoy performance as a hobby, or just want to become more confident and outgoing, there is a place for you in the CHS Drama Program. We offer classes at levels 1 - 4, and students can earn Fine Arts, Career Tech Ed, and/or Elective credits. Students also have multiple opportunities to perform and produce plays, videos, and projects, and to assume leadership roles in our student led production company, Catamount Actors’ Theatre (CAT).
CLUBS ON CAMPUS
CLUBS
There are a number of ways to get involved at CHS, including over 30 on campus clubs for any area of interest. Take a look at what we have to offer and we will see you in August! Learn more about Clubs on campus.
Preparing for High School
Dates to remember
JAN. 26, 2022
CLASS OF 2026
COUGARPALOOZA
Hello Class of 2026!
FEB. 1-4, 2022
MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Feb. 1: South Valley MS
Feb. 2: Brownell MS
Feb. 3: Solorsano MS & Gilroy Prep
Feb. 4: Current VLA students on Zoom
FEB. 11, 2022
DEADLINE TO CHANGE
COURSE REQUESTS
Course request changes must be submitted through the Aeries student portal's Academic Plan section.
FEB. 18, 2022 (tentative)
SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
DEADLINE
Applications are due for specialized programs. Deadline date is tentative.
MARCH 2022
CSA
ACCEPTANCES
Students will be notified of acceptance into the CSA program.
AUGUST 2022
FRESHMAN
ORIENTATION
Join other members of the Class of 2026 in the gym to learn more about life at Christopher High. Time and date are TBD.
 CONTACT USMeet the Student Services team. Your Academic Coordinator will be a resource for you during your time at Christopher High. Contact them directly with any questions as you begin your begin your Cougar journey. Marah Kuwada Marah.Kuwada@GilroyUnified.org Petra Garibay Rosie Cid-Castro Donya Maiorino |
** To begin a GUSD Specialized application, register for an account in either the student or guardian's name, The application should be submitted on the student's behalf. To continue an existing GUSD Specialized Programs application, log-in to the platform.
