EL CAMINO REAL 1997-98: PRIDE OF L.A.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Old-fashioned.

That's how students, teachers and parents on Friday described El Camino Real High School - the academic and athletic wunderkind of the Los Angeles Unified School District, a school giddy with a city baseball title to add to its long string of recent championships.

Fights are not tolerated.

Students are expected to excel.

Teachers are expected to prepare youngsters for life, using lunch periods and even weekends to do the job.

Long after the last bell has rung, the Woodland Hills campus remains lit well into the night.

``We have not let loose of those middle-class, `Leave It to Beaver' values,'' Principal Ron Bauer said Friday, a day after the Conquistadores boys' baseball team won the city championship.

The formula seems to be working. El Camino has captured almost every academic and athletic accomplishment there is for high schools.

The baseball win Thursday night over Chatsworth comes only weeks after the Academic Decathlon team took tops in the nation and the girls' softball team placed second in the city.

Earlier this season, the football and wrestling teams won city titles, and nearly every other athletic team on campus competed for local championships.

Even the school's performing arts department excels - winning top awards in drama and choir.

``The '90s has been our decade. We've had such a good run of luck,'' said Academic Decathlon co-coach David Roberson.

Many students say much of the school's success can be attributed to its strong discipline policies and no-nonsense attitude among teachers and administrators.

``It's a perfect environment,'' said senior Bruce Ngo, a member of this year's decathlon team. ``It's safe. You can walk around campus without worry.''

Students caught fighting are expelled from campus for one semester. Campus athletes face even harsher standards.

Those with failing grades are ineligible to practice - much less try out - for school sports.

``You have really strict rules here,'' said senior Taimur Baig, who gave up football to join the decathlon squad. ``You have the cream of the crop here.''

Since El Camino opened in 1969, students and staff say, the school has had a solid academic curriculum and strong teachers.

Help is available for struggling students who are paired with mentors - either teachers, classmates or community members - who assist with homework assignments or simply provide a shoulder on which to lean.

``If you pick one place in the Valley where there's no fluctuations, up or down, El Camino is the place,'' said Academic Decathlon co-coach Mark Johnson. ``El Camino has always been real solid. It's been a very safe school with a very high academic track record.''

Baseball coach Mike Maio is more direct: ``We've got good kids and coaches who, like everywhere else, put in time.''

Cross country and track coach George Martin said El Camino is successful because of its old-fashioned mores and values.

``We're from the old school, where teaching comes first and coaching second. And it pays off,'' said Martin, who is retiring from El Camino after 40 years.

The school's success builds upon itself, attracting the best and brightest from across the district.

Another key to El Camino's success is its well-prepared students, who tend to come from middle-class families that stress education.

The student population is diverse: 47 percent white, 28 percent Latino, 14 percent Asian-American, 9 percent African-American and 2 percent Filipino.

About 18 percent of the students qualify for the federally funded free lunch program. Districtwide, about half of the overall student population participated in the free lunch program.

About 19.3 percent of the student body is classified as having limited English proficiency, compared to an average in the Los Angeles Unified School District of about 46 percent.

The school is highly popular in the district's open enrollment program. This year, more than 700 applicants vied for 75 open seats. Fifteen were chosen in a recent lottery; the remaining 60 seats were allocated to current open enrollment students at El Camino's feeder middle schools.

Each year, El Camino enrolls 50 to 100 students transferring from private schools. About 900 students board school buses from throughout the district to attend the school as part of a desegregation program.

Kurt Birkins, the pitcher who led El Camino to its fourth baseball championship, got into the school under open enrollment. He said the school stresses more than athletics.

``It's a great campus,'' said Birkins, who lives in West Hills.

``I was very lucky to be able to get there. It was my first choice. We're not just a sports school. The teachers, everybody, help out.''

Students also said they are motivated to succeed.

``Everyone strives to be No. 1, to be the best,'' said Tara Paravar, 17, student body president-elect. ``The atmosphere here is about being your best.''

Students have come to expect the best from their teachers, who serve as volunteer mentors and help prepare students for their Advanced Placement exams by holding weekend study sessions at school.

``There's a lot of effort here and there's a lot of lights on here late at night,'' said Danny Feldman, student body president, who plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, this fall.

Parents said the school prepares their children for college and beyond.

``El Camino works very hard to prepare students for life,'' said Leana Buccellato, whose third child is attending El Camino. ``They encourage students to excel.''

PTA President Obie Slamon attributes El Camino's success to a supportive staff, hard-working teachers and motivated students.

``The kids really work hard, the kids want to do well, the staff tries hard and the parents are really involved,'' said Slamon, whose daughter attends 10th grade at El Camino.

Even without all the championship trophies and banners, El Camino still would be a winner, Johnson said.

``We would still have a good, solid school,'' he said. ``Those things are just icing on the cake.''

--- National Academic Decathlon Winners

--- Advanced Placement Exams, ranked among top 100 nationwide

--- City 3-A football title

--- City wrestling title

--- City 4-A softball championship, 2nd place

--- City 4-A baseball title

--- Daily News Staff Writer Chris Branam contributed to this story.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

PHOTO (1--2--Color) With a national Academic Decathlon trophy, top, and champion athletes like Kurt Birkins, center, El Camino Real High has plenty to crow about.

Terri Thuente/Daily News

(3--Color) no caption (Electronic board with the message ``Congratulations ECR Baseball'')

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News