Inderkum High School

Inderkum High School is an American public high school located in Sacramento, California, United States serving grades 9–12 in the Natomas Unified School District. It is an International Baccalaureate World School located in the northwestern neighborhoods of Sacramento.

History

Inderkum High School has a student body that consists of a variety of students from inside the Natomas Unified School District. Students primarily attend Natomas Middle School for grades 6-8 and Witter Ranch, Natomas Park, Heron, and H. Allen Hight for elementary school. Students also come from Westlake K-8, NP3 Middle, Natomas Charter, and Leroy Greene Academy, which are all charter schools. Its name comes from Mr. Inderkum, a dairy farmer who donated the land. The mascot is a blue and gold tiger and the football stadium is often referred to the Home of the Tigers.

Inderkum originally opened its doors in 2004.^[1] When it was first opened, many students switched from their (now) rival school, Natomas High School, into Inderkum. As the first years went by, Inderkum High School had collected a reputation in its sports as well as academics.

Inderkum houses the culminating International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) since 2012. The first class graduated in 2016. It is one of several high schools in the Sacramento area to offer this rigorous academic program. Students can either complete the full diploma by taking a certain battery of classes or pick and choose certain classes to take. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is something that all freshman and sophomores participate in at Inderkum in addition to participating in their middle school years at Natomas Middle School. The primary years programme (PYP) is housed at H. Allen Hight Elementary School and will also be housed at the soon-to-open Paso Verde K-8 School in Westlake.

The first principal of Inderkum High School was Ron Zimbalist, former Natomas Middle School principal who was principal from 2004 to 2005. From 2005-2007, Ben Flores (former Woodland High School principal) was the principal. From 2007-2010 the principal was Leslie Sargent who is now at the Leroy Greene Academy, a charter school in Natomas Unified. From 2010-2013, George Tapanes, former principal at Fortuna Union High School served as principal until he was asked to step down. From 2013-2015, Heather Garcia was the assistant superintendent in charge of Inderkum. Since 2015, Dan Motherspaw, who has been at the school since 2005 has served as principal.

The current vice principals are Euniceann Machado-Roland, Andrea Mitchell, and Brian Welborn. Former Vice principals include Dave Nickerson (Director), Tiffani Kelsey-Franco, Sarah Heffron, Sarah Clarke, Scott Pitts (now principal at Natomas High), Gloria White, Dan Motherspaw, Martha Paso, Kenneth Durham (now principal at Sacramento New Tech High), Donna Thayer, Keith Hodges, Dr. Juanita Reynolds, Janet Mann, Heather King (now principal at Foothill High), Gregg Ellis, Norma Betancourt, Leslie Sargent (now principal at Leroy Greene Academy), Mike Tambini (now principal at Red Bluff High), and Darrin Slojkowski.

As of August 2016, Inderkum has a student body of approximately 2,050 students.^[2] The school offers many sports and extracurricular activities that promote student involvement and creativity.

The school has a large music program that is directed by Mr. Shawn Hines and Ms. Jemaline Agpalza.

Campus

In the July 30, 2013 issue of Best Education Degrees "The 30 Most Amazing High School Campuses In The World" was ranked number 1 among the world. Inderkum was placed #1 because of its buildings being highly energy efficient and uses electricity-generating photovoltaic panels, a geothermal ground loop system, low-velocity cooling displacement and radiant slab heating.^[3]

Athletics

During the second semester of 2008, Inderkum began the construction of a new $2.4 million turf football field and all-weather track for multiple uses, such as football, track, cross country, etc. The construction has since been completed, and is for private use. Inderkum participates in the Tri Country Conference (Division 2) of the Sac Joaquin section.

The sports at Inderkum include: Basketball, Football(Most D1 signings in section since school opening in 2005), Cheerleading, Golf, Tennis, Track and field, Volleyball, Baseball, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming, Wrestling, and Softball.^[4] Many athletes have been signed from Inderkum into athletic scholarships.

From 2007-2017, Inderkum has been the undefeated league champions in football every year except for 2012.

In 2006, Inderkum made the football playoffs for the first time and lost to Del Campo in the Semifinal round. Every year since then, they have made it into at least the 2nd round of the playoffs and have been in the third round or later of the playoffs every season since 2012. Furthermore, they have made it to the section championships 4 times and lost by 6 or fewer points each time to Casa Roble High School (2008), Del Campo High School (2009), and Oakdale High School (2014). They will face defending state champions Del Oro High School in the 2016 section championship.

Gregory Najee Grimes (class of 2008) was the first Inderkum student-athlete to receive a Division I full scholarship, which he accepted to Boise State University's football program.^[5]

Eric Pinkins graduated from Inderkum in 2009 and signed his "letter of intent" to play football at San Diego State. He was drafted into the NFL by the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. He played in 2016 for the New York Giants.

Vince Mayle graduated from Inderkum, played Division I football for Washington State University, and was drafted in 2015 into the NFL, where he now plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

Nate Falo is a 2011 Inderkum graduate who signed with the San Jose State Spartans.^[6]

NJ Falo (brother of Nate) graduated from Inderkum High School in 2015 and signed with the Colorado Buffaloes.

Jacob Monroe (2009) Humboldt State

Damien Ross (2009) Ferris State

Anthony Williams (2009) New Mexico Highlands

Demitrius Williams (2009) Univ of Idaho

Randy Allen (2010) Univ of South Alabama and Baltiomre Ravens

Garret Brewer (2010) Univ of San Diego

Dedrick Allen (2012) Missouri Valley

Kevin Blueford (2012) Southern Oregon

Derek Bryant (2012) Southern Oregon

Kris Sapp (2012) Pacific (Oregon)

Tyler Dean (2013) Sounthern Oregon

Khalil Hudson (2013) Southern Oregon

C.J. Spencer (2013) U.C. Davis

Jordan Thomas (2013) Arizona State - Sacramento State

Isaiah Hamilton (2015) Univ of Nevada-Reno

Will Roberts also graduated from Inderkum High School in 2015 and plays for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's football team.

Raekwon Turner (2015) Pacific (Oregon)

Trajon Cotton (2016) Oregon State

Josh Falo (2016) USC

Ryan Gatoloai (2016) Univ of Wyoming

Victor Jones (2016) Univ of Wyoming

Isaah Crocker (2017) Univ of Oregon

Leevi Lafaele (2017) Univ of Wyoming

Davion Ross (2017) Sacramento State

Victor Matteucci (2018) Univ of Western Oregon

Demographics

Today's Inderkum enrollment is made up of a diverse ethnic population which consists of mostly Hispanic, African American, Caucasian, and Asian American students.^[7]

Inderkum Music Program

As of the 2011-2012 school year, the Inderkum Music program has 148 members that are in Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Color Guard(for only marching season). And they have continued to grow within two years they grown to approx. 200 musicians, with there now being a Concert band, Symphonic band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band,Orchestra, a new color Guard class (as of the 2014-2015 school year). As of 2015, Inderkum band won a sweepstake in showmenship. In 2016, Inderkum Color Guard won the NCBA award. The Inderkum band is one of the best bands in the Natomas area.

See also

• Natomas Unified Schools District
• List of high schools in California

Coordinates: 38°39′32″N 121°31′2″W / 38.65889°N 121.51722°W / 38.65889; -121.51722

References

External links

• Inderkum High School website