Don Bosco Technical Institute (commonly called "Bosco Tech" or "The Tech") is an all-boys (grades 9-12),
private,
Catholichigh school in
Rosemead, California, combining college-preparatory academic courses and technological education. The academic curriculum allows students to meet, or exceed, the admission requirements of the
University of California,
California State University and most other four-year colleges and universities throughout the country.
Bosco Tech offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities as well as sports. The school is based on
Catholic values.[8] Students of any faith or religious persuasion may attend.[9]
The school is located in the
San Gabriel Valley, 10 miles (16 km) east of
downtown Los Angeles, just north of the
Pomona Freeway (SR 60) in the city of
Rosemead, California. It occupies approximately thirty
acres. At the time the school was founded the area was known as South San Gabriel. City borders around it were changed, and it is now in Rosemead.
Don Bosco Technical Institute is also close in proximity to two other Salesian-based high schools,
Salesian in
Boyle Heights and
St. John Bosco in
Bellflower. Its students hail from all over the Greater Los Angeles area, with some students traveling more than an hour's commute each day to the school.
In addition to the academic program, all students are required to participate in the school's pre-engineering/technology program and declare a major in one of six technology fields:[12]
All entering freshmen are required to attend a mandatory summer program prior to their ninth-grade year. It is a 2-week program where incoming freshmen get to experience all of the six technologies. This will help them make an informed decision on the three techs they rotate through in the fall semester of their freshmen year.
In the fall semester, the freshmen enroll in three, six-week introductory technology courses chosen from the school's six technology departments. After their first semester of study, freshman students will select a technology major. They will remain in that major for the duration of their ninth-grade year and for the proceeding three years. It is important to note, the sequential nature of the technology coursework makes it difficult for transfer students after the tenth grade and will require all transfer students to complete summer coursework.
Athletics
The athletic teams participate in the Camino Real League and the Del Rey League. The school's rivals are Mary Star of the Sea, Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary, and La Salle High School.[13]
The Athletic Program at Bosco Tech consists of:
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Student life
Clubs and Organizations
Since the opening of the school, it has offered a variety of diverse student organizations and clubs, including:[14][15]
The school has been recognized for its renowned debate team, which has competed and placed successfully in local and national debate tournaments, even though mainly composed of underclassmen. For the first time in the school's history, it sent a Public Forum Debate Team to the National Championships held in June 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This team was composed of junior classmen Evan Godfrey and Aris Govjian.[16]
As of the 2019-2020 year, Bosco Tech's Music Program and the FRC Robotics Club now take in students from sister schools to participate.
Music Program
The music program at Bosco Tech consists of:
Marching Band
Wind Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
Jazz Band
Jazz Honor Band
Music Appreciation
Music education was emphasized as one of the main focuses of Don Bosco's educational approach. Therefore, since the school's birth in 1955, the "Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band" became the school's first and oldest extracurricular activity. Bosco Tech's music program was founded in 1957. Its most famous band director was Brother Eugene Burns, who directed the band from 1957 to 1978. In the 1970-1971 season, the auxiliary units were formed by San Gabriel Mission only until 1980s, when girls from Ramona Convent joined the units. The band had marched 70+ members in the 1970s, but, in recent years, band membership has averaged 35–40 members. Despite its relatively small size, the marching band and the auxiliary units have scored high points in their division and have even received sweepstakes.
During the Winter of the 2017-18 school year, the band's membership grew to 48 members. During this time there were more students involved in the band than the football team.
The next year, in the 2018-19 school year, the band opened its registration to its sister schools: San Gabriel Mission and Ramona Convent, as those schools did not have proper music programs. For the first time in 61 years, the Bosco Tech Music Program features players of both genders.
Culture
One of the school's original cheers celebrated the inherent "
geek" status of the students at a technical high school.
Black Eyed Peas filmed the music video for their song "Big Love" during the summer of 2018 at Bosco Tech.[19]
The current mascot, the
Tiger, was adopted after a student vote in 1986. The historic mascot of the school is the "Techman."
The school has one of the oldest high school
Kairos retreat programs in Southern California. Students have been going on the retreat since the 1980s.
Salesian Spirit Games
Twice a school year, during fall and spring, the students participate in the Salesian Spirit Games. In these games the 6 technologies compete against each other in different sports. Each grade level is given a sport to compete in:
Volleyball (Freshman)
Soccer (Sophomores)
Basketball (Juniors)
Football (Seniors)
The winner of the Salesian Spirit Games is awarded the Salesian Cup. In addition to sports, the 6 technologies compete for spirit. The Tech with the most spirit displayed throughout the games wins the Spirit Cup.
Jose Luis Gonzalez, founder of Goez Art Studio, 1969, the first Chicano arts organization that was developed to promote the work of Chicano artists.[21]
^Demeter, Richard; Brother Anthony Freitas, SDB (2005). Don Bosco Technical Institute 50th-Anniversary Commemorative Book: An Educational Pioneer Combining Science, Technology, and the Liberal Arts 1955-2005. Rosemead, California: Don Bosco Technical Institute.