Dr. Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa High School is a

public high school State schools (in England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand) or public schools (Scottish English and North American English) are generally primary or secondary schools that educate all students without charge. They are funded in whole or in pa ...

located in

Laredo Independent School District Laredo Independent School District is a public school district based in Laredo in Webb County, Texas, United States. The district serves the south central portion of Laredo. In 2009, LISD was rated " academically acceptable" by the Texas Educat ...

in Laredo in

Webb County Webb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 267,114. Its county seat is Laredo. The county was named after James Webb (1792–1856), who served as secretary of the treasury, secreta ...

in south

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

. Grades nine through twelve are taught there. It serves students living in south Laredo. It has a

student A student is a person enrolled in a school or other educational institution. In the United Kingdom and most commonwealth countries, a "student" attends a secondary school or higher (e.g., college or university); those in primary or elementar ...

population of about 1,300. The school's namesake is a late medical doctor. In 2014, Cigarroa High School fell short of minimum state standards and was placed on the Public Education Grant list.Judith Rayo, "17 schools fall short", ''

Laredo Morning Times The ''Laredo Morning Times'' is a daily newspaper publication based in Laredo, Texas, USA. It is owned by the Hearst Corporation Hearst Communications, Inc., often referred to simply as Hearst, is an American multinational mass media and busin ...

'', January 15, 2015, p. 1

Magnet school

Cigarroa High School also houses the L.I.S.D. Sabas Perez Engineering and Technology Magnet School, a magnet school focused on engineering and technology education. The students may choose three different paths (engineering, technology or oil and gas) while enrolled in the magnet. The instructors are Amanda Gonzalez for engineering, Christine Garza for oil, and gas, and Alexander Castro for technology pathways. In 2007-2008 the robotics team competed and won the regional district competition in

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

, Texas. After the regionals, the team went to the state competition. In 2009, Cigarroa students had the highest TAKS standardized test scores in Laredo.

School history

Named after a renowned local physician, Dr. Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa High School is located at 2600 Zacatecas Street in South Laredo, Texas. It opened its doors to a large group of freshmen and sophomores on August 1983. It graduated its first seniors in 1985 and its first true class (four years at Cigarroa High School) in 1987 under the direction of its first principal, Mr. Alfredo “El Toro Grande” Montemayor. Since then other leaders have taken the helm of Cigarroa High School as did Mr. Pedro Lara, Mrs. Cynthia Conchas, Mr. Mario Guzman, "El Toro Chico", Dr.

Sonia Sanchez Sonia Sanchez (born Wilsonia Benita Driver; September 9, 1934) is an American poet, writer, and professor. She was a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement and has written over a dozen books of poetry, as well as short stories, critical essay ...

, Mr. Oscar Perez, Mr. John Eric Salinas, Mrs. Laura M. Flores, and currently Mr. Jose E. Iznaola. With a Toro (bull) as a Mascot, a bullring-style courtyard, and a yearbook titled “La Fiesta Brava”, the school pays homage to the Mexican and Spanish roots of its community members. The theme was also a passion Dr. Leo G. Cigarroa as he frequently traveled to Mexico and Spain. The school colors are royal blue and silver as are the beautiful Texas skies and its clouds as Mr. Alfredo Montemayor once stated. During his eleven-year tenure, Mr. Mario Guzman gave the school the slogan: “The Pride of South Laredo” and since then Cigarroa High School has lived up to its motto. A tradition, set by the first Toro family back in 1983, is a time capsule which was embedded in the front of the school and opened during the 25th anniversary festivities in 2008. It was quite an experience for the alumni and staff to travel back in time through the mementos that were uncovered. During the festivities, a bronze bull was uncovered and a commemorative monument and marble bench were also presented to the public. The Toro sculpture was dedicated to Mr. Alfredo Montemayor who was the guest of honor. A second capsule was assembled and embedded to be opened in 2033 during the 50th anniversary festivities. The campus currently houses approximately 1,311 students, 130 teachers and 75 staff members.

References

External links

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Laredo Independent School District Home Page
{{authority control High schools in Laredo, Texas Laredo Independent School District high schools Magnet schools in Texas