Sweetwater High School (National City, California)
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
| Sweetwater High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 2900 Highland Ave. National City, CA USA |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Motto | "Once a devil, always a devil." |
| Established | 1921 |
| School district | Sweetwater Union High School District |
| Principal | Maribel Gavin |
| Staff | 201 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2,422 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 24.1 |
| Color(s) | Red and Gray |
| Mascot | Red Devils |
| Feeder schools | Granger Junior High School National City Middle |
| Website | http://suh.sweetwaterschools.org/ |
Sweetwater Union High School (commonly known as SUHi) is a secondary school located in National City, California, United States. Established in 1921, it is one of the oldest high schools in San Diego County. Part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, SUHI predominantly serves the National City community with an enrollment of 2,422 students.[1]
In 2009, Sweetwater High School was named to Newsweek's list of the top 1,500 public high schools in the United States.[2]
Contents
Mission statement
The Mission of Sweetwater High School is to ensure graduates possess skills necessary for success in post-secondary education and career aspirations and become contributing members of their community through a system of learning characterized by:
- A rigorous and relevant curriculum for all students
- A culture of learning, emphasizing high expectations for all students, staff, and parents
- A caring, professional staff leading students to maintain healthy relationships and make positive life choices
- A community focused on accountability, assessment and achievement for all stakeholders
- Resources and opportunities to maximize student achievement and potential
General information
Technology is integrated into all curriculum areas and plays an important part to bridge the digital divide. Students now have over 700 computers to use, located in classrooms as well as six computer labs. Computers are used for career exploration and development, internet research, presentations, math skill reinforcement, Accelerated Reader and writing. The computer labs and library are open for extended hours to allow students more time to use the technology.[3]
Sweetwater's faculty is exceptional with an average of 15 years teaching experience, and an average of 13 years at SUHI.
Feeder schools
SUHI has two main feeder schools: Granger Junior High School and National City Middle School. Granger presently educates 7th-9th graders. Upon completion of renovations (est. 2012), SUHI will have the capacity to educate all 9th graders in National City.
History
Built in 1882 near the present site of Central Elementary School at 9th Street and E Avenue, National School was the South Bay's first high school. National's successor, National City High School, was built in 1908 around that same location, where Central Elementary School now stands. To accommodate the growing population of high school students, Sweetwater Union High School was built in 1921 at 2900 Highland Avenue. The present day administration building (100) was originally two-stories with the library upstairs.[4]
Thanks to Proposition O, the Sweetwater Union High School District was finally able to fund a remodel of SUHI's campus. This extensive upgrade, which incorporates some of the classic architecture in the new design, was completed in the summer of 2011 by Sundt Construction, SGI Construction Management, and BCA Architects. The architectural vision of the renovated campus is available online.[1]
Since 2000, SUHI has made tremendous gains in its API score:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2008, Sweetwater High School achieved a State API Ranking Score of 9, placing the school in the top 10% of schools in its demographic statewide. It was also one of only two schools in its demographic in the history of California to exit program improvement.
Student demographics
SUHI is a culturally rich school[citation needed] that reflects the population of its community.
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approximately 62% of SUHI's student population are designated English Language Learners, and 12.2% are Students with Disabilities.
Classes
The Sweetwater High School staff consists of 201 teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff. Their 101 teachers offer a variety of AP Courses in English Literature, English Language, Spanish, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, World History, United States History, Art History, Calculus, Statistics, Computer Science, Government, Economics, and Psychology. Sweetwater High School has also integrated a career technical education program that consists of educating students in the medical, fire fightering, and other technical fields such as welding.
In order to increase the number of SUHI students who continue on to post-secondary education, the school has formed partnerships with University of California, San Diego, San Diego State University (through Compact for Success), and Southwestern College.
Athletics
SUHI has a long, proud tradition of athletic excellence.
- Metro League Champions, Cross Country (1969)
- CIF Champions, Cross Country (1969)
- Metro Champions, Football (1970)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1972)
- CIF Champions, Football (1972)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Cross-Country (1972)
- CIF Champions, Boys Cross-Country (1972)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1977)
- Metro League Co-Champions, Football (1978)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1979)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1980)
- CIF Division 2A Champions, Boys Basketball (1980)
- Metro League Co-Champions, Boys Basketball (1981)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1981)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1982)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1982)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1982)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1983)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1983)
- CIF Division 3A Champions, Football (1983)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1983)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1984)
- CIF Division 3A Champions, Football (1984)
- California (mythical) State Champions, Football (1984)
- Metro League Champions, Baseball (1984)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Basketball (1984)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Track (1984)
- California State runner-up, Girls Track (1984) (Gail Devers solo)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1984)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1985)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1985)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1986)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1986)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1986)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1987)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1987)
- Metro League Champions, Football (1987)
- Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1990)
- CIF Division 1, 2A Champions, Boys Basketball (1990)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1990)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1991)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Soccer (1991)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Cross Country (1992)
- Metro League Champions, Softball (1992)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1993)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1996)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Soccer (1996)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (1997)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1997)
- CIF Division 2 Champions, Boys Soccer (1997)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Soccer (1996)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1998)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (1998)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1999)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Cross Country (1999)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (1999)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Cross Country (2000)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Tennis (2000)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (2001)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Track (2002)
- Metro League Champions (Division 2), Hockey (2002)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (2002)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (2003)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (2004)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Soccer (2005)
- Cheerleading Champions (2006)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (2006)
- District Cheerleading Champions (2007)
- MJROTC Honor Unit (2007)
- CIF Division 2 Champions, Boys Soccer (2008)
- District Cheerleading Champions (2008)
- South Bay League Champions, Boys Cross Country (2008)
- South Bay League Champions, Girls Cross Country (2008)
- Metro League Champions, Track (2008)
- District Cheerleading Champions(2009)
- 2nd Place National High School Cheerleading Champions (2009)
- South Bay League Champions, Boys Tennis (2009)
- South Bay League Champions, Girls Cross Country (2009)
- South Bay League Co-Champions, Boys Cross Country (2009)
- South Bay League Champions, Boys Golf (2009)
- District Cheerleading Champions (2010)
- CIF Division IV Champions, Football (2013)
- Metro-Pacific League Champions, Football (2013)
- Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (2014)
Clubs
SUHI offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs:
- African American Student Union (Mr. Gross and Ms. Haynes)
- Academic Decathlon (Ms. Garcia and Mr. Esperon)
- Advanced Dance (Ms. Mitchell)
- Amnesty International (Mr. Cassel)
- Animal C.A.R.E. (Ms. Campbell)
- Anime Production Club (Mr. Esperon)
- Asian International Association (AIA) (Ms. Luansing and Ms. Cruz)
- Associated Student Body (ASB) (Ms. Perez)
- Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) (Mr. Pelletier)
- Ballet Folklorico (Ms. Topete)
- Band/Orchestra/Color Guard/Tall Flags (Ms. Van Ginkel)
- Baseball Club (Mr. Wapnowski)
- Cadet Club (Gunnery Sergeant Tavares)
- California Scholastic Federation (CSF) (Ms. Charles)
- Care Club (Ms. Anderson)
- Cheer (Ms. Haynes)
- Choir (Mrs. Charles)
- Class of 2013 (Mr. Pelletier)
- Devil's Advocate (Newspaper) (Ms. Rosenbach)
- Gay-Straight Alliance (Ms. Griggs)
- Graphic Arts Society (G.A.S) (Mr. Esperon)
- Golf Club (Mr. Howard)
- Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) (Ms. Vaca)
- Marine Corps Jr. Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) (Col. Jackson)
- Paranormal Club (Mr. Esperon)
- P.U.R.E. (Environmental Awareness and Protection) (Ms. Lawler)
- Red & Gray Yearbook (Ms. Rosenbach)
- R.P.G. Club (Mr. Esperon)
- Red Rebels (Mrs. Rosenbach)
- Robotics Club (Mr. Bonilla)
- Science Club (Ms. Rymer)
- Surf Club (Mr. White)
- Theatre Guild (Mr. Cassel)
MJROTC
SUHI has, arguably, the finest Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MJROTC) in the country. In the ten years that our program has been inspected, it has been selected as one of the six 12th Marine Corps District's honor schools ten times: 1996-97, 97-98, 98-99, 2001–02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, and 05-06, 06-07, 07-08. On the National level, the school has received the Marine Corps Reserve Officers' Association's award five times as the top unit in the 12th Marine Corps District.[5]
Marching/Concert band
SUHI is home to one of San Diego County's finest marching and concert bands. During the first part of the year, the marching band and color guard are invited to perform in several local and statewide competitions - including field shows and parades. Then, during the second semester, the marching band performs as a concert band, appearing at various festivals and concerts throughout the season. The band is under the direction of Ms Van Ginkel.Visit Band website for more information
The SUHI Foundation
Found in 2006 with the help of SUHI alumni, The SUHI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) group that provides scholarships, student financial aid services, and awards students in need. Overseen by ASB Dean/Assistant Principal John Cherry, the foundation board of directors (which is made up SUHI alumni housing developer Kile Morgan, his sister, Janice Hawken, Alma Graham, a National School District trustee, Jess VanDeventer, a former National City councilman and port commissioner, and Martha Juarez, a graduate of UCLA's Anderson School of Management) meets regularly at SUHI to administer the program.
Parental involvement
Community involvement is an essential element of the educational programs at Sweetwater High School. Besides many business partnerships, parents are a welcome addition to the campus. All-school parent meetings are held monthly to discuss improvements and concerns. Parents also serve on many school committees including the School Site Council, District Categorical Committee, GATE Parent Committee, et cetera.
Beyond advisory committees, parents are key to our everyday operations. Working through our parent volunteer coordinator, parents work daily in various capacities from library assistants to cafeteria assistants. Each year culminates with a luncheon to celebrate the many hours these parents contribute to the success of SUHI.[1]
Awards
- SUHI is a California Distinguished School recipient.
- SUHI is an America's Outstanding High School Redbook National Award winner.
Alumni staff
Approximately fifteen percent of SUHI's staff are alumni:
- John Arguilez, Resource Teacher, class of 1980. John's main reason for coming back, "Once a Red Devil, Always a Red Devil."
- Robert Arreola, Analysis and Calculus Teacher, class of 1991
- Roberto Bonilla, Special Education Teacher, Girls Soccer Coach, Kicking Coach, Girls Tennis Coach, class of 1993
- Adrian Garcia, Intervention Teacher, Cross Country/Track and Field Coach, class of 1999
- Meg Garcia, AP Art History, Academic Decathlon coach, class of 1988
- Christine Gonzalez, ASB secretary, class of 1970
- David Lively, Special Education teacher, Football Assistant Coach, class of 1988
- Jose Mendoza, Computer Lab Technician, Football Assistant Coach, class of 1985
- Patricia Perez, ASB Dean, class of 1997
- Sergio Quintero, English teacher, class of 1996
- Salvador Rosales, Facilities Manager, class of 1993
- Gerardo Santamaria, History, class of 1996
- Lorena Topete, Spanish teacher, Ballet Folklorico Instructor, class of 1993
- Paul Wapnowski, Intervention Teacher, Baseball Coach, class of 1992
- Luz Zuniga, English teacher, Softball Coach class of 1992
- Samantha Stanimirovich , Math Teacher
Notable alumni
- Baba Chenelle - Class of 1977; drummer for The Zeros
- Robert Lopez - Class of 1977; El Vez
- Vivian Martinez - Class of 1976; Developed techniques for Electro Magnetic Pulse(EMP) protection for critical data networks.(1998). - Supplied Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) with adanced concepts and tatical use of drone spy planes for US military. (1999) - Developed guide for universities on effective use of internet search engines. (1999)
- Roberto de la Madrid - Governor of Baja California from 1977 to 1983
- Rebekah Del Rio - Class of 1985; recording artist on several motion picture soundtracks
- Gail Devers - Class of 1984; three-time Olympic 100 m champion for the US Olympic Team
- Gino Minutelli - Class of 1982; former MLB Baseball Player
- Vidal Nuño - Class of 2005; MLB Baseball Player
- Ernie Pierce - Class of 2005; CFL player of the Edmonton Eskimos
- Joe Corona - Class of 2008; MX Professional soccer player and United States Men's National Soccer Team
- Markus Pierce-Brewster - Class of 2009; Defenseive End, Syracuse University
- Dan Saleaumua - Class of 1982; former NFL Football player
- Terry Battle - Class of 1994; former NFL Football Player
External links
- Official School Website
- SUHI Football
- SUHI MJROTC
- Lady Devils Soccer
- National City Diablos
- Bell Schedule
- District Website
- California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)
- SUHI Band and Colorguard
