Sweetwater High School (National City, California)

Coordinates: 32°39′34.59″N 117°05′37.25″W / 32.6596083°N 117.0936806°W / 32.6596083; -117.0936806

Sweetwater High School

"Once a Devil, Always a Devil."
Address
2900 Highland Ave.
National City, CA
USA
Information
Type Public high school
Established 1920
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
Rivals Chula Vista High School
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 1920, 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]

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:

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.

Alma Mater

Our lamp glows bright,

Our colors wave on high;

Eternal praise to our school, Old SuHi.

Allegiance pledged,

Our service gladly give;

Where e'er we may roam,

In our hearts, SUHI LIVES!

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.

Since 2000, SUHI has made tremendous gains in its API score:

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
498
521
555
581
591
642
670
691
706
802

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 that reflects the population of its community.

Group
% of enrollment
Group
% of enrollment
African American
1.7
White (Non-Hispanic)
1.5
American Indian
.6
Multiple or no response
1.6
Asian
1.3
Filipino
12.6
Hispanic/Latino
80.5
Pacific Islander
.3

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.

Clubs

SUHI offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs:

MCJROTC

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

Alumni staff

Approximately fifteen percent of SUHI's staff are alumni:

Notable alumni

External links

Notes

  1. 1 2 http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/SARC%2005.06.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380
  3. ↑ 2006-07 School Accountability Report Card (CA Dept of Education)
  4. ↑ Sweetwater Alumni History Page
  5. ↑ MCJROTC Sweetwater High School
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