San Fernando High School
Encyclopedia
San Fernando High School, located in San Fernando, California
, is a secondary school that is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District
.
The school colors are black and gold. All girls teams are referred to as "Lady Tigers", all boys teams simply as Tigers. It is the only high school in California with Project G.R.A.D.(Graduation Really Achieves Dreams). San Fernando High School also hosts the Puente Project, a national-award winning program which has assisted thousands of students reaching their dreams of college success.
The City of San Fernando is zoned to the school. Originally the Pacoima
area was mostly assigned to the school, but much of it was reassigned to Arleta High School
when that school opened in 2006. The San Fernando Gardens
public housing complex in the Pacoima area is assigned to San Fernando High School.
Plans to bring the school to a traditional calendar in 2009 rather than the "year-round" calendar have surfaced recently. With the opening of numerous new senior high schools in the valley to relieve overpopulation in area schools, the plan is possible. Apparently, that was obvious to officials as well, because in March 2008 it was announced by current school principal Ken Lee that San Fernando High School would start on a traditional calendar in the fall of 2008. This calendar would allow all three tracks (A, B, and C-track; roughly 3300 students in total) to join as one in September 2008, as well as make it impossible for the city's planned charter middle school to take residence within the school grounds.
, was established in 1896 http://www.sanfernandohs.com/history.jsp?rn=1919. In 1906 the school was moved to a site on North Brand Boulevard which is San Fernando Junior High School. In 1952 the school moved to its present location at 11133 O'Melveny Avenue.
San Fernando High School's attendance boundary changed numerous times as well as new high schools opening in the area. In the fall of 2006, 9th and 10th grade students in a portion of San Fernando High School's 2005-2006 school year zone will attend Arleta High School
instead of San Fernando http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=55.67307; Arleta will phase in grades 11 through 12 http://www.laschools.org/employee/mpd/fs-mpd/download/map_booklets_2006-2007/Proj04MB.pdf.
The school will be relieved when Valley Region High School 5 opens in 2011 http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=56.40032.
team along the way) to earn a spot in the city playoffs. They went on to defeat Banning High School
to win the city title.
San Fernando, California
San Fernando is a city located in the San Fernando Valley, in northwestern region of Los Angeles, California, United States. The population was 23,645 at the 2010 census, up from 23,564 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, is a secondary school that is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
.
The school colors are black and gold. All girls teams are referred to as "Lady Tigers", all boys teams simply as Tigers. It is the only high school in California with Project G.R.A.D.(Graduation Really Achieves Dreams). San Fernando High School also hosts the Puente Project, a national-award winning program which has assisted thousands of students reaching their dreams of college success.
The City of San Fernando is zoned to the school. Originally the Pacoima
Pacoima, Los Angeles, California
Pacoima is a district in the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California.It is bordered by the Los Angeles districts of Mission Hills on the west, Arleta on the south, Sun Valley on the southeast, Lake View Terrace on the northeast, and by the city of San Fernando on the north...
area was mostly assigned to the school, but much of it was reassigned to Arleta High School
Arleta High School
Arleta High School is a secondary school located on Van Nuys Boulevard in the Arleta section of Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley....
when that school opened in 2006. The San Fernando Gardens
San Fernando Gardens, Los Angeles, California
San Fernando Gardens is a housing project located in the Pacoima district of the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California.San Fernando Gardens was built during World War II to house workers at the nearby Lockheed aerospace manufacturing facilities in Burbank...
public housing complex in the Pacoima area is assigned to San Fernando High School.
Plans to bring the school to a traditional calendar in 2009 rather than the "year-round" calendar have surfaced recently. With the opening of numerous new senior high schools in the valley to relieve overpopulation in area schools, the plan is possible. Apparently, that was obvious to officials as well, because in March 2008 it was announced by current school principal Ken Lee that San Fernando High School would start on a traditional calendar in the fall of 2008. This calendar would allow all three tracks (A, B, and C-track; roughly 3300 students in total) to join as one in September 2008, as well as make it impossible for the city's planned charter middle school to take residence within the school grounds.
History
San Fernando High School, the second oldest school in the San Fernando ValleySan Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
, was established in 1896 http://www.sanfernandohs.com/history.jsp?rn=1919. In 1906 the school was moved to a site on North Brand Boulevard which is San Fernando Junior High School. In 1952 the school moved to its present location at 11133 O'Melveny Avenue.
San Fernando High School's attendance boundary changed numerous times as well as new high schools opening in the area. In the fall of 2006, 9th and 10th grade students in a portion of San Fernando High School's 2005-2006 school year zone will attend Arleta High School
Arleta High School
Arleta High School is a secondary school located on Van Nuys Boulevard in the Arleta section of Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley....
instead of San Fernando http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=55.67307; Arleta will phase in grades 11 through 12 http://www.laschools.org/employee/mpd/fs-mpd/download/map_booklets_2006-2007/Proj04MB.pdf.
The school will be relieved when Valley Region High School 5 opens in 2011 http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=56.40032.
Associated Student Body
The San Fernando High School Associated Student Body (ASB) is a well organized school club. It is a well-respected and respectful student-run organization that is in charge of most school events such as the annual "Tiger Fest" (a school activity in which many school clubs and teams sell foods and host activities during an extended lunch period; it usually consists of music, activities and themed decorations), the Homecoming Dance/Parade, Prom, Graduation and many other on campus and off-campus events and activities. The current Class President for the class of 2011-2012 is Karina Ortiz. Facebook for San Fernando ASBSan Fernando Mighty Tiger Band and Color Guard
The Tigers are known for their band, for 21 consecutive years, they have carried the LAUSD Championship banner home. Currently, without a band coordinator to assist them in their field shows, they still strive to be the best under student leadership.PUENTE
San Fernando is the only high school in the San Fernando Valley that is home to the Puente Program. The Puente Program was designed to help underrepresented students graduate from high school and graduate from a four-year university. The program was ranked number one nationally and is making a difference at the school.Football
Operating the wishbone offense (a rarity in California) with future USC stars Charles White and Kevin Williams, San Fernando High won the L.A. City Football title in 1974 and 1975, repeating the 1934, 1937, 1953 and 1967 season championships. Prior to the 1975 season, they were ranked #1 in the country. In 1976 they lost their first game of the season to Gardena High by a score of 41-0. The team rebounded, losing only one more game (and defeating John Elway's Granada Hills Charter High SchoolGranada Hills Charter High School
Granada Hills Charter High School is an independent public school consisting of over 4,200 students in grades 9–12, located in Granada Hills, California. It currently holds the record as the top comprehensive public senior high school in Los Angeles...
team along the way) to earn a spot in the city playoffs. They went on to defeat Banning High School
Banning High School
Phineas Banning High School is located in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States, and is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.- History :...
to win the city title.
Wrestling
The San Fernando High School wrestling team currently holds the largest number of city championships in Los Angeles. In the spring season of 2006, the Tiger wrestling team had a perfect undefeated season of 21-0. The 2006 wrestling team took first place at the C.I.F. championship, with five of their wrestlers qualifying for the State championship.Notable alumni
- Alex PadillaAlex PadillaAlejandro "Alex" Padilla is a California State Senator. He was elected as the state senator for California's 20th State Senate district in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. Prior to serving in the Senate he served 7½ years on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 7th...
, California State Senator http://dist20.casen.govoffice.com/ - George LopezGeorge LopezGeorge Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is mostly known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez. His stand-up comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including the Mexican American culture...
, actor, comedian - Ritchie ValensRitchie ValensRitchie Valens was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist....
, singer - Barbara LeeBarbara LeeBarbara Jean Lee is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1998. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She is the first woman to represent that district. Lee was the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and was the Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus...
, Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives, California 9th District [1998–present] - Cheech MarinCheech MarinRichard Anthony "Cheech" Marin is an American comedian, actor and writer who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges...
, actor, comedian; known as part of Cheech & Chong duo - Gary MatthewsGary MatthewsGary Nathaniel Matthews Sr. , nicknamed Sarge, is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball. He now serves as a color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies. From through , Matthews played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Seattle...
, former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Natasha MelnickNatasha MelnickNatasha Melnick is an American television and film actress. She may be best known for her portrayal of Cindy Sanders on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks.-Career:Melnick was born in Los Angeles, California...
, film/television actress, musician - Herschel Curry SmithHerschel Curry SmithHerschel Curry Smith is best known as an American athletic coach in the sport of track and field at Compton Jr. College. He is also populary known as the founder of the Compton Invitational, and the co-founder of the Los Angeles Invitational, both track meets located in Southern California, the...
track coach - Charles WhiteCharles White (American football)Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:...
, football player, Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner