Is Muir Mustang Spirit gone?

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Quick. What do Jackie Robinson, Ricky Ervins, Stacey Augmon and David Lee Roth have in common? If you said they all attended John Muir High in Pasadena, than you probably have Mustang Spirit.

A report by a consultant who interviewed students, parents and teachers, found out that Mustang pride appears to be a thing of the past, according to an article in the Pasadena-Star News. Consultant Richard Owen said, ‘Most people believe the district [Pasadena Unified School District] turned its back on Muir a long time ago.’

The report says that daily attendance is between 60% and 70% and that the majority of students are not proficient in algebra and/or English. The report also talks about how there are certain ‘Non-Discussables’ that seems to be creating a culture of neglect. Owens said that there is a teaching gap and a learning gap and that ‘African American and Latino students report a very segregated school culture.’

- Jaime Cardenas