Liberty High School is a public co-educational high school located in Bakersfield, California, United States. Its athletics teams are known as the Liberty Patriots and the school colors are navy, red, and silver. Liberty High School opened its doors in 1999. Liberty High School is currently the most populated high school in the Kern High School District with a student body of 2,801.
Academics
All students enrolled at Liberty High School must meet the following criteria before graduation:
4 years of English (40 credits) 3 years of Social Studies (30 credits) 1 year of World or European History 1 year of U.S. History 1 year of U.S. Government/Economics 3 years of Math (30 credits) Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Analysis or Statistics, and Calculus. 2 years of Science. (20 credits) Integrated, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science 2 years of P.E. (20 credits) 1 year of Foreign Language/Fine Arts (10 credits) 1 semester of Health (5 credits) Choice of Electives (65 credits) TOTAL = 220 credits
Liberty High School offers AP, GATE, and Honor's courses, which students can take to earn college credit:
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Psychology
AP Chemistry
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP European History
AP French Language
AP Spanish Language
AP Statistics
AP United States History
GATE Advanced Algebra
GATE Freshman English
GATE Geometry
GATE Sophomore English
Honor's Chemistry
Honor's Economics
Honor's Government
Honor's Math Analysis
Honor's Physics
Honor's Spanish 3
Notable Music Department
The Liberty High School Marching Patriots
Founded by band director Jason Kuyper, the 120 member group has won many sweepstakes and 1st place awards in band competitions throughout California since its beginning in 1999. In 2002, the band competed in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) State Championships receiving 4th place overall in Division 4A. In 2004, the band competed in the Western Band Association (WBA) State Championships receiving 4th place overall in the 1A/2A/3A Division Finals with the colorguard claiming the High Sweepstakes award in Auxiliary. They also have a wind symphony, symphonic band, concert band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and winterguard. The group currently hosts a Winter Guard International (WGI) regional championship in February, featuring many winterguard units from around the state of California. In 2011 the Marching Patriots swept the entire Sweepstakes category at the Stockdale Band Spectacular, winning High Music, High Woodwinds, High Brass, High Colorguard, High Percussion, and High Band (91.4). The Marching Patriots were unable to compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group is now under the direction of Jason Armistead, after being under the direction of Mark McGuire.
Field shows
1999 - Sweet Land of Liberty
2000 - James Bond
2001 - Bohemian Rhapsody
2002 - Hotel California
2003 - Class Act
2004 - The Bullfighter
2005 - Circuitry
2006 - Tutenkamen
2007 - Quidam
2008 - Locomotion
2009 - Through the Eyes of a Child
2010 - Perpetual Rhythms
2011 - Spanish Conquest
2012 - Beyond the Blue
2013 - Le Tour
2014 - A Day at the Park
2015 - Let There Be Light
2016 - A Pirate's Adventure
2017 - Scheherazade
2018 - Dystopia
2019 - Another Brick in the Wall
2020 - Season cancelled due to COVID-19
Liberty Choral Program
The program contains Liberty Women's Chorale and Men's Chorale, Chamber Choir, and the school's major performing ensemble, Liberty Chorale. The group operated under the guidance of Michael "Mac" McQuerrey from 1999 until his retirement in 2009.
In September 2004, the Chorale joined with the Bakersfield Symphonic Orchestra to present the Concert of America tribute to the victims and survivors of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
In May 2007, the Liberty Chorale was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Chorale, along with other choruses from around the world, formed a symphonic choir accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble and conducted by composer and arranger Mark Hayes. The performance included the New York premiere of Mr. Hayes' "Te Deum" and a medley of his spirituals.