Sweetwater High School (National City, California)
Encyclopedia
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 approximately 2,791 students.
In 2009, Sweetwater High School was named to Newsweek's list of the top 1,500 public high schools in the United States.
Sweetwater's faculty is exceptional with an average of 15 years teaching experience, and an average of 13 years at SUHI.
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.
Thanks to Proposition 0, the Sweetwater Union High School District is able to fund a remodel of SUHI's campus. The remodel, which incorporates some of the classic architecture in the new design, is expected to be complete in 2012. The architectural vision of the revonated campus is available online.http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/
Approximately 34% of SUHI's population are English Language Learners, and roughly 9% are Students with Disabilities.
In 2008, Sweetwater High School achieved a State API Ranking Score of 9, placing us 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.
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
.
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.
National City, California
National City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
, 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
Sweetwater Union High School District
The Sweetwater Union High School District is a school district headquartered in Chula Vista, California. , the school district is the largest secondary school district in California....
, SUHI predominantly serves the National City community with an enrollment of approximately 2,791 students.
In 2009, Sweetwater High School was named to Newsweek's list of the top 1,500 public high schools in the United States.
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.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 SchoolGranger Junior High School
Granger Junior High School is a public school located in National City, California that teaches students ranging from grade 7 to grade 9. It is a developing school with an aspiring atmosphere set to allow their students to achieve their dreams...
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.Thanks to Proposition 0, the Sweetwater Union High School District is able to fund a remodel of SUHI's campus. The remodel, which incorporates some of the classic architecture in the new design, is expected to be complete in 2012. The architectural vision of the revonated campus is available online.http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/
Student Demographics
SUHI is a culturally rich school that reflects the population of its community.| |
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Approximately 34% of SUHI's population are English Language Learners, and roughly 9% are Students with Disabilities.
Making History
Since 2000, SUHI has made tremendous gains in its API score:| |
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In 2008, Sweetwater High School achieved a State API Ranking Score of 9, placing us 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.
Classes
The Sweetwater High School staff consists of 201 teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff. Their 113 teachers offer a variety of AP Courses in English literature, English language arts, Spanish, physics, history, art history, mathematics, government, and psychology.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
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
, San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
(through Compact for Success), and Southwestern College
Southwestern College (California)
Southwestern College is a public, two-year community college located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Southwestern College's football stadium hosts Bonita Vista High School's football games...
.
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)
- 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)
- District Cheerleading Champions (2010)
Clubs
SUHI offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs:- African American Student Union (Mr. Santamaria and Mr. Smith)
- Academic Decathlon (Ms. Garcia)
- Advanced Dance (Ms. Mitchell)
- Amnesty International (Mr. Cassel)
- Animal C.A.R.E. (Ms. Campbell)
- Asian International Association (AIA) (Ms. Luansing and Mrs. Cruz)
- Associated Student Body (ASB) (Mr. Mitrovich)
- Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) (Mr. Collins)
- Ballet Folklorico (Ms. Topete)
- Band/Orchestra/Color Guard/Tall Flags (Mr. Doerr)
- Baseball Club (Mr. Wapnowski and Mr. Scanlan)
- Cadet Club (Gunnery Sergeant Tavares)
- California Scholastic Federation (CSF) (Ms. Charles and Ms. O’Brien)
- Cheer (Ms. Casas)
- Choir (Mrs. Charles)
- Class of 2009 (Mr. Pelletier and Ms. Schreier)
- Class of 2010 (Mr. Santamaria and Mr. Galindo)
- Class of 2011 (Mrs. Rosenbach and Ms. Griggs)
- Cycling Club (Mr. Scanlan and Mr. Nunez)
- Devil’s Advocate (Newspaper) (Mr. Quintero and Ms. Zuniga)
- Future Educators of America (Mrs. Paul and Mrs. Rocha)
- Gay-Straight Alliance (Ms. Griggs)
- Golf Club (Mr. Howard)
- Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) (Mrs. Diaz)
- Huck Finn (fishing) (Mr. Arguilez/Narvaza/Rosales)
- Key Club (Sponsored by Kiwanis Clubs) (Mr. Ybarra)
- Literary Guild (Mr. Scanlan)
- Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) (Ms. Vaca and Mr. Cruz)
- Marine Corps Jr. Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) (Col. Jackson)
- P.U.R.E. (Environmental Awareness and Protection) (Mr. Collins)
- Red & Gray Yearbook (Robert Bonilla)
- Red Rebels (Mrs. Rosenbach)
- Robotics Club (Mr.Garnica-Mendoza)
- Science Club (Ms. Rymer)
- Softball Club (Mr. Rockin)
- Surf Club (Mr. Pelletier)
- Tennis Club (Paola Osuna)
- 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, we have received the Marine Corps Reserve Officers' Association's award five times as the top unit in the 12th Marine Corps District.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 Dike.Visit Band website for more informationSUHI Foundation
In 2006, members of the SUHI family (present and alumni) founded the SUHI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that provides scholarships, student financial aid services, and awards to 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.
Awards
- SUHI is a California Distinguished SchoolCalifornia Distinguished SchoolA 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...
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, Math 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, English and AP Art History, Academic Decathlon coach, class of 1988
- Tony Garcia, World Geography, Football Head Coach, class of 1985
- Christine Gonzalez, ASB secretary, class of 1970
- Nancy Hokenson, English Teacher, 1970
- David Lively, Special Education teacher, Football Assistant Coach, class of 1988
- Jose Mendoza, Computer Lab Technician, Football Assistant Coach, class of 1985
- Sergio Quintero, English teacher, class of 1996
- Salvador Rosales, Facilities Manager, class of 1993
- Gerardo Santamaria, History, class of 1996
- Alfonso Topete, ELD and Spanish teacher, class of 1982
- Lorena Topete, Spanish teacher, Ballet Folklorico Instructor, class of 1993
- Georgia Wapnowski, Principal's Assistant, class of 1964
- Paul Wapnowski, Intervention Teacher, Baseball Coach, class of 1992
- Luz Zuniga, English teacher, Softball Coach class of 1992
Notable alumni
- Baba Chenelle - Class of 1977; Drummer for The Zeros
- Roberto de la MadridRoberto de la MadridRoberto de la Madrid Romandia was a Mexican elected official who served as governor of Baja California from 1977 to 1983. He was the first American-born governor of a Mexican state. He was a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party .De la Madrid was born February 3, 1922, in Calexico,...
- Governor of Baja CaliforniaBaja CaliforniaBaja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
from 1977 to 1983 - Rebekah Del RioRebekah Del RioRebekah Del Rio is a Latin American singer/songwriter from San Diego, California.After recording the song "Llorando", a Spanish-language version of Roy Orbison's "Crying," she moved to Nashville in 1994. There, she was signed to Irving Azoff's label, Giant Records, and recorded her first album,...
- Class of 1985; Recording artist on several motion picture soundtracks. - Gail DeversGail DeversYolanda Gail Devers is a retired three-time Olympic champion in track and field for the US Olympic Team. Devers was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up near National City, California and graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1984...
- Class of 1984; Three-time Olympic 100 m champion for the US Olympic Team - Gino MinutelliGino MinutelliGino Michael Minutelli is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. He was signed by the Reds as an amateur free agent in...
- Class of 1982; Former MLB Baseball Player - Ernie Pierce - Class of 2005; CFLCanadian 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....
player of the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton EskimosThe Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895... - Dan SaleaumuaDan SaleaumuaRaymond Daniel Saleaumua is a Samoan American former American football player.He attended high school at Sweetwater High and attended college at Arizona State. He played Nose tackle, defensive tackle, and defensive end throughout his college and pro career...
- Class of 1982; Former NFL Football player