San Diego High School
Encyclopedia
San Diego High School is an urban public educational complex comprising six small schools located on the southern edge of Balboa Park, in San Diego, California
. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District
. It is the oldest high school in the San Diego Unified School District and one of the oldest public schools in all of California; the oldest still on its original site. It's flagship school is the School of International Studies, ranked the 44th best high school in the nation by US News with an IB exam pass rate of 98% and an API score of over 800. Other schools include the School of The Arts; School of Science & Technology ; School of LEADS; School of Business; and School of Communications.
In May 2006, Newsweek
magazine ranked 1,200 public high schools in the U.S. and named San Diego High's International Studies school #22, making it the highest ranking in San Diego County and the second highest in the state of California.
, was built in 1914 for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. It originally had a capacity of 19,000. Over the years it has played host to music legends such as the Beatles
and Jimi Hendrix
, and U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson
and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. From 1961-1966 http://www.chargers.com/team/history/chronology/1959-1969.html it was also the home of the San Diego Chargers
.
: 1916, 1955
High School Baseball National Champions: 1921
San Diego High participated in the first high school football game in San Diego County in 1898, defeating Escondido High School
6-0. Players and coaches from San Diego traveled in covered wagons over the course of two days to reach their destination.
http://is.sdhs.sandi.net/default.htm
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District is the school district of San Diego, California. It was founded in 1854...
. It is the oldest high school in the San Diego Unified School District and one of the oldest public schools in all of California; the oldest still on its original site. It's flagship school is the School of International Studies, ranked the 44th best high school in the nation by US News with an IB exam pass rate of 98% and an API score of over 800. Other schools include the School of The Arts; School of Science & Technology ; School of LEADS; School of Business; and School of Communications.
Russ High 1887-1907
The school was established in 1882, and was initially named Russ High after lumberman Joseph Russ, who offered to donate the lumber to build the school. The school served to educate a fast growing San Diego.The Grey Castle 1907-1973
By 1902 the school had become overcrowded and a new school was built on the original site, opening on April 13, 1907. The new building, designed by F.S. Allen of Pasadena, resembled a castle and was subsequently nicknamed "The Grey Castle."Modern San Diego High 1973-Present
Due to California legislation in the 1960s, which required all school districts to demolish or retrofit any school building built prior to 1933, the "Grey Castle" building was torn down; the first of four buildings constructed prior to 1933 was torn down along with the "Russ Auditorium" in 1973; Building 101, the "Original Grey Castle" was the last building to be torn down in 1975 and the current building was dedicated in 1976.Academics
In 2004, San Diego High School was divided into six thematic schools as a result of funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, collectively called The San Diego High Educational Complex. These six smaller schools within the larger school focus curriculum on School of International Studies;School of The Arts;School of Science & Technology ;School of LEADS; School of Business; and School of Communications.. Each School provides a smaller learning environment for students with an emphasis on rigor, relevance, and relationships.In May 2006, Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazine ranked 1,200 public high schools in the U.S. and named San Diego High's International Studies school #22, making it the highest ranking in San Diego County and the second highest in the state of California.
Balboa Stadium
San Diego High's Football Stadium, Balboa StadiumBalboa Stadium
Balboa Stadium is a football and soccer stadium located in San Diego, California. The original stadium was built in 1914 as part of the many buildings erected for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition located in Balboa Park. Originally called City Stadium, and designed by the Quayle Brothers...
, was built in 1914 for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. It originally had a capacity of 19,000. Over the years it has played host to music legends such as the Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, and U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. From 1961-1966 http://www.chargers.com/team/history/chronology/1959-1969.html it was also the home of the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Athletic history
High School Football National ChampionshipHigh School Football National Championship
The High School Football National Championship is a national championship honor awarded to the best high school football team in the United States of America based on rankings from USA Today and the National Prep Poll. There have been some efforts over the years at organizing a single-game playoff...
: 1916, 1955
High School Baseball National Champions: 1921
San Diego High participated in the first high school football game in San Diego County in 1898, defeating Escondido High School
Escondido High School
Escondido High School is one of three high schools in the Escondido Union High School District located in Escondido, California. Escondido High received a California Distinguished School award in 2007.-History:...
6-0. Players and coaches from San Diego traveled in covered wagons over the course of two days to reach their destination.
Miscellaneous history
- The 1922 San Diego High baseball team was barred from league play by the CIF after its 1921 National Championship Squad played an unsanctioned game against the East's best baseball team of that time Cleveland High. This game drew 11,000 fans which saw San Diego High defeat Cleveland 10-0. During the 1922 season the team played college and independent teams, losing to just Stanford and the Sherman Indians. Beating Cleveland again in front of 13,000 fans.
- It is said that when the wrecking ball came to demolish the "Grey Castle" in order to build a new earthquake-safe school, it took repeated attempts to bring the structure down. In the summer of 1973, contractors attempted to bring down the "Russ Auditorium" using explosives; portions of the building would not come down. It took an extra six months to finish the demolition of the "Russ Auditorium".
- Kate SessionsKate SessionsKatherine Olivia "Kate" Sessions was an American botanist, horticulturalist, and landscape architect closely associated with San Diego, California, and known as the "Mother of Balboa Park."-Early life:...
, considered the "Mother of Balboa Park," taught at San Diego High in 1884
http://is.sdhs.sandi.net/default.htm
Notable alumni and faculty
- Hobbs AdamsHobbs Adams-External links:...
, college football all-American, coach - Joseph Cameron AlstonJoseph Cameron AlstonJoseph Cameron Alston was an American badminton player who won major titles between 1951 and 1967.- Career :...
, 12-time NCAA badminton champion - Stan BarnesStan BarnesStan Barnes was an American football player, judge and assistant attorney general of the United States.Born in Wisconsin, Barnes played high school football at San Diego High for Clarence "Nibs" Price who encouraged his brightest players, starting with Barnes, to follow his path to Berkeley to...
, College Football Hall of Fame member, US federal judge - Belle BenchleyBelle BenchleyBelle Jennings Benchley, known as “The Zoo Lady,” was the director of the San Diego Zoo from 1927 to 1953, guiding its expansion from a small collection of animals to an innovative, world-class zoo.-Personal:...
, zoologist, author - Earle Brucker, Jr.Earle Brucker, Jr.Earle Francis Brucker, Jr. was a professional baseball player. He played two games as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1948. After playing several seasons in minor league baseball, including a brief stint in the Pacific Coast League in 1953, he retired from...
, former Major League Baseball player - Eileen Rose BusbyEileen Rose BusbyEileen Rose Busby was an author and antiques expert who was featured on HGTV's Appraise It! show.-Early life:...
, author - Charlie CannonCharlie CannonCharles Albert Cannon , a singer, theater performer and co-founder of Starlight Opera in San Diego, California, was born in the coastal town of San Quintín, Baja California, near Ensenada.-Early years:...
, singer, theater performer and co-founder of Starlight Opera - Marc Davis (athlete)Marc Davis (athlete)Marc Davis is a retired American track and field athlete, who mainly competed in distance races like the men's 3.000 metres steeplechase and 5.000 metres...
, Olympic runner - Earl Ben GilliamEarl Ben GilliamEarl Ben Gilliam was a United States federal judge.-Early life and education:Born in Clovis, New Mexico, Gilliam received a B.A. from San Diego State University in 1953 and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1957.-Career:Gilliam was a Deputy district attorney of...
United States federal judge - Charde HoustonCharde HoustonCharde Lakishia Houston is a professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the Minnesota Lynx....
, Women's National Basketball League player - Deron JohnsonDeron JohnsonDeron Roger Johnson was an American professional baseball player. Born in San Diego, California, he played seventeen seasons in Major League Baseball as an infielder, outfielder, and designated hitter for the New York Yankees, Kansas City & Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox,...
, former Major League Baseball player - Jacque JonesJacque JonesJacque Dewayne Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently is a free agent-Early life:...
, Major League Baseball player - Mebrahtom KeflezighiMebrahtom KeflezighiMebrahtom "Meb" Keflezighi is an American athlete, specializing in long distance running. He and his family were refugees from Eritrea via Italy to the United States, when he was age 12...
, Olympic silver medalist - Art LinkletterArt LinkletterArthur Gordon "Art" Linkletter was a Canadian-born American radio and television personality. He was the host of House Party, which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny, on NBC radio-TV for 19 years...
, television host - Dale MapleDale MapleDale H. Maple was a private in the United States Army in World War II who helped two German prisoners of war escape in 1943. They were recaptured, and Maple was sentenced to death by hanging. He was the first American soldier ever convicted of a crime equivalent to treason...
, World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
soldier convicted of helping two German prisoners of war escape - Wayne McAllisterWayne McAllisterWayne Douglas McAllister was a Los Angeles-based architect who was a leader in the Googie style of architecture that embraced the automobile and the Space Age. Inspired by tail fins and gleaming chrome, he elevated the drive-in restaurant and the theme hotel to futuristic works of art...
, architect - Bill Miller, Olympic gold medalist, former world record holder in the pole vault
- Harold MullerHarold MullerHarold Powers "Brick" Muller was a professional football player-coach for the Los Angeles Buccaneers during their only season in the National Football League in 1926. He was also an American track and field athlete who competed mainly in the high jump...
"Brick," Olympic silver medalist and College Football Hall of Fame member - Stephen NealStephen NealStephen Matthew Neal is a former American football guard who played his entire career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is a former national champion amateur and collegiate wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield...
, National Football League player, 1998/1999 NCAA wrestling champion, 2000 wrestling world champion - Graig NettlesGraig NettlesGraig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
, former Major League Baseball player - Craig NoelCraig NoelCraig Noel was an American theatre producer. He was the founding director of the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California and led it for more than 60 years...
, American theatrical producer - Gregory PeckGregory PeckEldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
, actor - Clarence PinkstonClarence PinkstonClarence Elmer "Bud" Pinkston was an American diver. Born in Wichita, Kansas, he attended San Diego High where he won a Gymnastics title at age 15. He is the first San Diegan to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Pinkston attended college at Oregon State University and Stanford University...
, Olympic gold medalist - Clarence Nibs PriceNibs Price-External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com...
, college football head coach - Sol PriceSol PriceSol Price was the founder of FedMart and Price Club . He is considered a pioneer of the "warehouse store" retail model....
, entrepreneur - Art PowellArt Powell-Early career:Powell attended and played high school football at San Diego High School and played college football at San José State University.-Professional career:...
, former National Football League player - Charlie PowellCharlie PowellCharlie Powell is a former American professional football player.Powell was born in Texas. He and his younger brother Art Powell, a great NFL wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders in the 1960s, grew up in the Logan Heights area of San Diego, California. Charlie starred in football, basketball,...
, former National Football League Player, boxer - Floyd RobinsonFloyd RobinsonFloyd Andrew Robinson is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds , Oakland Athletics , and Boston Red Sox...
, former Major League Baseball player - Julia RobinsonJulia RobinsonJulia Hall Bowman Robinson was an American mathematician best known for her work on decision problems and Hilbert's Tenth Problem.-Background and education:...
, mathematician - Paul Runge, Major League Baseball umpire
- Seraphim (Eugene) RoseSeraphim RoseSeraphim Rose, born Eugene Dennis Rose , was an American hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia who co-founded the St. Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California. He also translated Orthodox Christian texts and authored several polemical works...
, priest, author, Blessed - Russ Saunders, College Football all-American, Warner Brothers executive
- Thomas SchellingThomas SchellingThomas Crombie Schelling is an American economist and professor of foreign affairs, national security, nuclear strategy, and arms control at the School of Public Policy at University of Maryland, College Park. He is also co-faculty at the New England Complex Systems Institute...
, Nobel Prize winning economist - Amby SchindlerAmby SchindlerAmbrose "Amblin' Amby" Schindler is a former American collegiate football player, coach and Professional Football on-field official. He played college football for the University of Southern California.-Career:Schindler prepped at San Diego High School...
, College Football all-American, Rose Bowl and College All-Star MVP - Kate SessionsKate SessionsKatherine Olivia "Kate" Sessions was an American botanist, horticulturalist, and landscape architect closely associated with San Diego, California, and known as the "Mother of Balboa Park."-Early life:...
, horticulturalist, botanist - Albert "Pesky" Sprott, Olympic runner, college football player
- Paul SmithPaul Smith (pianist)Paul Smith , is a jazz pianist. He has performed in various genres of jazz, most typically bebop. However, he has also performed in cool jazz, swing music, and traditional pop.He was born in San Diego, California...
, pianist - Steffan TubbsSteffan TubbsSteffan Tubbs is a radio host on Denver, Colorado's KOA. He is the host of Colorado's Morning News and has been a longtime presence on KOA having begun his radio career at the station in 1994. His voice was a continued presence during a six year career with ABC News; he was a national radio...
, journalist, radio host, reporter for ABC News - Jeremy TylerJeremy TylerJeremy Tyler is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. Tyler is a 6'11" center from San Diego, California, United States. He was drafted with the thirty-ninth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats...
, first basketball player to skip his senior year in high school and go straight to the professional ranks - Cotton WarburtonCotton WarburtonIrvine "Cotton" Warburton was an All-American college quarterback who became an Academy Award-winning film editor in the late 20th century.-Biography:Warburton was born October 8, 1911, in San Diego, California, to Margaret Warburton...
, film editor, actor and College Football Hall of Fame member - Art WilliamsArt WilliamsArthur T. Williams is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" guard from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Williams played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the San Diego Rockets and Boston Celtics...
, former National Basketball Association player