Branham High School


Branham High School is a secondary school in San Jose, California. It opened in 1967 under the Campbell Union High School District and closed in 1991. The District leased the campus to Valley Christian Schools in 1991. The school reopened in 1999 due to increased enrollment within the district. The school is named after Isaac Branham, a California pioneer who became a successful farmer and lumber mill owner. School colors are navy blue, Columbia blue, and white and official mascot is the Bruin. Branham is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Academics

Branham was awarded the title of California Distinguished School during the 2006–2007 school year. Branham participates in the College Board's Advanced Placement program and offers AP courses in English Language and Composition, English Literature, World History, US History, American Government, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1 & 2, Calculus AB & BC, Statistics, French Language, Spanish Language, Mandarin Language, Computer Science, and Studio Art 2D & 3D.

Athletics

Branham High School is a member of the Blossom Valley Athletic League. Branham fields teams in football, basketball, baseball, swimming and diving, cheerleading, tennis, badminton, soccer, softball, track and field, cross country, golf, field hockey, and wrestling. All of Branham's league and section championships are displayed in its gymnasium, the Bruin Den.

Music department

The Branham High School Music Department consists of the vocal music department and the instrumental music department. The choir is made up of Madrigals and Women's. The instrumental music program is made up of Field Marching Band, Color Guard, Parade Band, Pep Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Guitar, and Jazz Ensemble.
The marching band has recently been named the Branham High School Royal Alliance.
The Branham High School Symphonic Band, in its first CMEA performance in the history of the school, received a Unanimous Superior rating, the highest rating a group can receive from the California Music Educators Association. In addition, the band was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Hall due to their performance at the 2009 Los Angeles Heritage Festival, where they had placed first in the Symphonic Band category. In April 2011, the band received its second Unanimous Superior rating from CMEA.
The Branham High School Royal Alliance Marching Band and Color Guard is known for award winning performances and had an undefeated season in the fall of 2020 with their show “It’s About Time”.
The Branham Jazz Ensemble gives nearly a dozen public performances per year and travels to the Columbia Jazz Festival. The Jazz Ensemble hosts a yearly fundraiser called the Jazz Cafe to raise funds for the Branham Instrumental Program.
Currently, the director of the band program is Christopher Nalls, while the director of the choir program is Barbara West.

Theater department

The department earned the 2001 Glenn Hoffman Award for Outstanding Fine Arts Curriculum. In 2003, the program earned the 2003 High School Musical Honors Award for Outstanding Ensemble. The department currently offers a full theater curriculum including a musical theater course, a drama club, and several productions each year. Its annual faculty musical is directed by students and supervised by the acting instructor.

Notable alumni