Mills High School
Encyclopedia
Mills High School is a public high school
in Millbrae
, California
. It is one of seven high schools in the San Mateo Union High School District
.
Mills opened its doors in 1958 and is now known as an academically rigorous and competitive school, with the highest academic standings in the entire district. Many students take numerous advanced placement (AP) courses as well as participating in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Mills has been going through extensive remodeling ever since 2003.
• This year, Mills received an Academic Performance Index (API) of 845.
• In 2009, Mills High School was granted a six-year accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
.
• In 1988, 1996, and 2009, Mills High School was designated a California Distinguished School
for its innovative programs and academic excellence.
• Enrollment in AP classes has grown over the past three years. Current enrollment in AP classes stands at 831. This is a 48% increase from last year's total of 563.
The median income for a household in the city of Millbrae was $78,404, and the median income for a family was $92,061. Males had a median income of $51,867 versus $40,249 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,193. About 2.2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. The majority of Mills students are Millbrae residents; others are San Bruno or Burlingame residents. The majority of Mills students come from Taylor Middle School in Millbrae, while some also come from Burlingame Intermediate School (BIS) and Parkside Middle School in San Bruno.
2007 Fall Play - "Shakespeare in Hollywood"
2008 Spring Musical - "Homeroom"
2008 Fall Play - "As You Like It
"
2009 Spring Musical - "Flower Drum Song
"
2009 Fall Play - "And Then There Were None
"
2010 Spring Musical - "Smile
"
2010 Fall Play - "Inspecting Carol"
2010 Spring Musical - "Once Upon a Mattress
"
2011 Fall Play - "Acting Can Be Murder"
. The team in 1998–1999 changed its name to the Mills Robotics Team. For three consecutive years, the team has been the recipient of the Judges’ Award at the NASA Silicon Valley Regional Autodesk Visualization Award in 2004 for an outstanding animation. Mills High School is the first school in its district that has a team participating in this international event.
The Student Government is headed by the Leadership Class which is headed by the ASB President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Student Government is divided into separate committees with different responsibilities. The Homecoming dance as well as all school dances are planned by the Student Government. Each class also has a Student Council.
Mills has a wide variety of clubs such as Students Organized Against Prejudice (SOAP), Interact, Save Our World (SOW), G.A.T.E. Club, Filipino-American Alliance (FAA), Words of Wisdom (WOW), Spectrum Club, International House of Friends, Mills Dragon Team, Key Club, Mills Robotic Team (MRT), Physics Club, Red Cross, Quiz Kids, and countless others.
Mills High School students have also participated in the Second Annual Harvest Canned Food Drive, March of Dimes, Pennies for Patients, Pennies for Peace, and other charitable activities.
The Thunderbolt is Mills High School's student-run newspaper.
and AP testing, where the school schedule will be modified.
In 2006–07, about two-thirds of the students attended during periods 1–6 with about one-third enrolled from 1st to 7th period. In the 2007–08 school year, about one third of students attended 1–6, one third attended 2–7, and the last third 1–7.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Millbrae
Millbrae, California
Millbrae is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, just west of San Francisco Bay, with San Bruno on the north and Burlingame on the south. The population was 21,532 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is one of seven high schools in the San Mateo Union High School District
San Mateo Union High School District
The San Mateo Union High School District is a high school district headquartered in San Mateo, California.-Schools:The district consists of seven public high schools, one alternative high school , and one adult School in San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, and San Mateo. The oldest school in the...
.
Mills opened its doors in 1958 and is now known as an academically rigorous and competitive school, with the highest academic standings in the entire district. Many students take numerous advanced placement (AP) courses as well as participating in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Mills has been going through extensive remodeling ever since 2003.
Academics and stats
Current enrollment in grades 9–12 is approximately 1,500. The academic calendar is two semesters of 18 weeks. Classes meet five days per week on a modified block schedule. Three days a week, classes are 51 minutes in duration; and on block days, the classes are 92 minutes in duration.• This year, Mills received an Academic Performance Index (API) of 845.
• In 2009, Mills High School was granted a six-year accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
.
• In 1988, 1996, and 2009, Mills High School was designated a California Distinguished School
California Distinguished School
A California Distinguished School is an award given by the California State Board of Education to public schools within the state that best represent exemplary and quality educational programs. Approximately five percent of California schools are awarded this honor each year following a selection...
for its innovative programs and academic excellence.
• Enrollment in AP classes has grown over the past three years. Current enrollment in AP classes stands at 831. This is a 48% increase from last year's total of 563.
Demographics
The student population is 1% African-American, 52% Asian, 24% Caucasian, 7% Filipino, 13% Latino, 2% Pacific Islander, and 1% other.The median income for a household in the city of Millbrae was $78,404, and the median income for a family was $92,061. Males had a median income of $51,867 versus $40,249 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,193. About 2.2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. The majority of Mills students are Millbrae residents; others are San Bruno or Burlingame residents. The majority of Mills students come from Taylor Middle School in Millbrae, while some also come from Burlingame Intermediate School (BIS) and Parkside Middle School in San Bruno.
Music and entertainment
2007 Spring Musical - "The Wiz"2007 Fall Play - "Shakespeare in Hollywood"
2008 Spring Musical - "Homeroom"
2008 Fall Play - "As You Like It
As You Like It
As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...
"
2009 Spring Musical - "Flower Drum Song
Flower Drum Song
Flower Drum Song was the eighth stage musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It was based on the 1957 novel, The Flower Drum Song, by Chinese-American author C. Y. Lee. The piece opened in 1958 on Broadway and was afterwards presented in the West End and on tour...
"
2009 Fall Play - "And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None is a detective fiction novel by Agatha Christie, first published in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club on 6 November 1939 under the title Ten Little Niggers which was changed by Dodd, Mead and Company in January 1940 because of the presence of a racial...
"
2010 Spring Musical - "Smile
Smile (musical)
Smile is a musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. It was originally produced on Broadway in 1986. The musical is based loosely on a 1975 film of the same title, from a screenplay by Jerry Belson.-Production:...
"
2010 Fall Play - "Inspecting Carol"
2010 Spring Musical - "Once Upon a Mattress
Once Upon a Mattress
Once Upon a Mattress is a musical comedy with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. It opened off-Broadway in May 1959, and then moved to Broadway...
"
2011 Fall Play - "Acting Can Be Murder"
Mills Cheerleading
On January 2011, the Mills Varsity Cheer squad had the opportunity to perform at the NFL Pro Bowl game in Hawaii.Mills Robotics Team
In 1997 Mills created Team Themis to participate in the FIRST Robotics CompetitionFIRST Robotics Competition
The FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to , not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task, which changes every year...
. The team in 1998–1999 changed its name to the Mills Robotics Team. For three consecutive years, the team has been the recipient of the Judges’ Award at the NASA Silicon Valley Regional Autodesk Visualization Award in 2004 for an outstanding animation. Mills High School is the first school in its district that has a team participating in this international event.
Student government and activities
Mills High School students participate in the M.S. Walk in San Francisco, including the team Angela's Angels headed by a Mills High School teacher. Mills High also has a Dragon Team that participates in the Millbrae Chinese New Year Parade and the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade.The Student Government is headed by the Leadership Class which is headed by the ASB President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Student Government is divided into separate committees with different responsibilities. The Homecoming dance as well as all school dances are planned by the Student Government. Each class also has a Student Council.
Mills has a wide variety of clubs such as Students Organized Against Prejudice (SOAP), Interact, Save Our World (SOW), G.A.T.E. Club, Filipino-American Alliance (FAA), Words of Wisdom (WOW), Spectrum Club, International House of Friends, Mills Dragon Team, Key Club, Mills Robotic Team (MRT), Physics Club, Red Cross, Quiz Kids, and countless others.
Mills High School students have also participated in the Second Annual Harvest Canned Food Drive, March of Dimes, Pennies for Patients, Pennies for Peace, and other charitable activities.
The Thunderbolt is Mills High School's student-run newspaper.
Scheduling
The school used to run the traditional six period day, but starting in the 2006–2007 school year, the school runs under a seven period day. This was added to allow students to fulfill graduation requirements more easily. On Monday, Thursday, and Friday, students attend all periods. Tuesday and Wednesday are block periods, and students attend odd-numbered periods on Tuesday and even-number periods on Wednesday. The only exception to this schedule is during special events, such as holidays, STARStandardized Testing and Reporting
The Standardized Testing and Reporting Program measures performance on the California Achievement Test, Sixth Edition Survey , the California Content Standards Test and the Spanish Assessment of Basic Education . The STAR Program is the cornerstone of the California Public Schools Accountability...
and AP testing, where the school schedule will be modified.
In 2006–07, about two-thirds of the students attended during periods 1–6 with about one-third enrolled from 1st to 7th period. In the 2007–08 school year, about one third of students attended 1–6, one third attended 2–7, and the last third 1–7.
Notable alumni and faculty
- Larry GrenadierLarry GrenadierLarry Grenadier is an American jazz double bassist.His father, Albert, was a trumpet player, and his two brothers, Phil and Steve, would eventually play trumpet and guitar respectively. Grenadier too began on trumpet when he was 10 years old. His father taught him to read music and gave him his...
— Jazz bassist - Gordon LishGordon LishGordon Jay Lish is an American writer. As a literary editor, he championed many American authors, particularly Raymond Carver, Barry Hannah, Amy Hempel, and Richard Ford.-Early life and family:...
(faculty) — Editor, author, teacher - Leslie MaxieLeslie MaxieLeslie Maxie is a retired American track and field athlete and subsequently a television presenter....
— Olympic athlete and World Youth World Record Holder / ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
Newscaster - Frank Portman (a.k.a. Dr. Frank) — Lead singer of the Mr. T Experience
- James van HoftenJames van HoftenJames Dougal Adrianus "Ox" van Hoften is a former NASA Astronaut.-Personal data:Van Hoften was born June 11, 1944, in Fresno, California. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved its second highest rank, Life Scout. He considers Burlingame, California, to be his hometown. ...
(graduated 1962) — NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronaut - Craig VenterCraig VenterJohn Craig Venter is an American biologist and entrepreneur, most famous for his role in being one of the first to sequence the human genome and for his role in creating the first cell with a synthetic genome in 2010. Venter founded Celera Genomics, The Institute for Genomic Research and the J...
(graduated 1964) — Biologist and businessman - Adam TafralisAdam TafralisAdam Tafralis is an American quarterback who currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
(graduated 2002) — Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
Quarterback and San Jose State career passing yards record holder - Nick VerreosNick VerreosNick Verreos is an American fashion designer and contestant on the second season of the reality television program Project Runway.-Early life and education:...
---Fashion designer who competed on Project Runway - Paul FanaikaPaul FanaikaPauliasi "Paul" Fanaika is an American football offensive guard for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
- NFL Football Player - Harry Chang Huai-chiu - vocalist of a Taiwan hip hop band - Da MouthDa MouthDa Mouth is a Taiwanese hip hop band made up of MC 40, DJ Chung Hua, male vocalist Harry, and female vocalist Aisa. They are considered the Asian The Black Eyed Peas due to the group's diversity. The band's Chinese band name directly translates into "big mouth"...
- Willie Fulton - Lead guitarist of Tower of PowerTower of PowerTower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
and a original member of The Grass RootsThe Grass RootsThe Grass Roots is an American rock band that charted between 1966 and 1975 as the brainchild of songwriting duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri.In their career, The Grass Roots achieved two gold albums, one gold single and charted singles a total of 21 times. Among their charting singles, they... - Wesley Chan - One of the three members of a popular YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
Asian AmericanAsian AmericanAsian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
film-making group, Wong Fu ProductionsWong Fu ProductionsWong Fu ProductionsShort films by Wong Fu Productions prior to the group's graduation from the University of California, San Diego, included a logo with the Chinese characters for "Wong Fu" . The last film to feature this logo was License Plate, released on August 18, 2006. Films produced after the...
See also
- San Mateo County high schools