Monte Vista High School (Spring Valley, California)
Monte Vista High School is public, comprehensive high school located in Spring Valley, California, and serves 1,960 students in grades nine through twelve. Opened in 1961, Monte Vista is the seventh of twelve high schools built in the Grossmont Union High School District.
| Monte Vista High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
3230 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard , California 91977 United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public comprehensive secondary |
| Motto | This is Monarch Territory |
| Established | September 17, 1961 |
| School district | Grossmont Union High School District |
| Principal | Joel Tropp |
| Teaching staff | 74.06 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,671 (2018–19)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 22.56[1] |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Crimson and gold |
| Mascot | Lion |
| Team name | Monarchs |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) |
| Website | Monte Vista High School |
Monte Vista High School has been ranked among the top 6000 schools in the nation, coming in at #1147, due in part to its excellent record for AP testing and its steadily increasing Annual Performance Index. Monte Vista has one of the best AP programs in the Grossmont Union District.
History
Construction of Monte Vista High School began on September 19, 1960, on the site of a then tomato patch. The total amount cost to build Monte Vista was $2,013,009, Site development costing $436,505 and a building cost of $1,576,504. In early 1961 The Grossmont Union High School Board of Trustees chose the name Monte Vista, meaning "Mountain View" for the new school because of the San Miguel Mountain that dominates the landscape from the school site. Another name considered for the school was El Dorado High School. In the Spring of 1961 the colors, Crimson and Gold, and the nickname, The Monarchs, were chosen after several meetings and votes from future students. Other colors considered for the school were Orange and Navy Blue; and Red, White, and Navy Blue. Other nickname options were Mountaineers, Guachos, Rockets, and Patriots. On September 17, 1961 Monte Vista High School officially opened and became the seventh high school in the Grossmont Union High School District.
Students
Monte Vista's student body is composed of pupils from the following ethic backgrounds (2015–2016 school year):[1]
- American Indian or Alaska Native – 0.1%
- Asian – 4.7%
- Black – 12.3%
- Hispanic – 59.7%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander – 0.8%
- White (not Hispanic) – 15.5%
- Two or More – 6.9%
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
Monte Vista's athletic teams, the Monarchs, compete in the South League of the Grossmont Conference and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego Section. Monte Vista offers a total of 21 Sports over a span of 3 Athletic seasons.
Fall
- Football
- Boys Water Polo
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Cheer
Winter
- Wrestling
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Soccer
- Girls Water Polo
- Academic League
Spring
- Swim
- Gymnastics
- Baseball
- Golf
- Boys Lacrosse
- Girls Lacrosse
- Boys Tennis
- Boys Volleyball
- Softball
- Track
Performing Arts
Monte Vista's marching band, the Monarch Brigade is an award-winning parade and concert band that has also received accolades for its colorguard, as well as having its students included in the state Honor Band. The band's students received nearly unanimous superior ratings at the Grossmont instrumental solo competition, and unanimous superiors at the 2011 band festival. Monte Vista's drama program puts forward three shows per year—one entirely student-directed—and its students have been honored at local thespian competitions for their solo and ensemble performances. Monte Vista's dance program puts forward two performances each spring. Monte Vista's choir program competes in several festivals in southern California and consistently places in the top three in their division, receiving unanimous superiors and 1st place at the 2011 Heritage festival. Monte Vista is also one of only three high schools in the Grossmont district to offer class piano.
Notable alumni
- Mike Whitmarsh, 1980, professional volleyball player and Olympic silver medalist (1996)[2]
- Tonéx, 1993, gospel singer[3]
- Michael Wiley, 1996, NFL football player[4]
- Nick Cannon, 1998, rapper and actor[5][6]
- Brooks Conrad, 1998, Major League Baseball player[7]
- Royce Ring, 1999, Major League Baseball player[8]
References
- "Monte Vista High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- Lindgren, Jim (October 31, 1990). "SAN DIEGO COLLEGE NOTEBOOK : Mike Whitmarsh Has Adjusted Well to Different Kind of Net". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Meanley, Erin (June 20, 2011). "Spotlight on B. Slade". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Shontz, Lori (September 28, 1998). "The OSU flash". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Kappes, Serena; Hay, Carla (September 2, 2005). "Celeb Spotlight: Nick Cannon". People. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Garske, Monica (August 17, 2013). "'AGT' Host Nick Cannon Donates School Supplies in San Diego". KNSD. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- Lin, Dennis (August 21, 2014). "Benoit to avoid disabled list". U-T San Diego. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- "Engagement: Gordon-Ring". Ortonville Independent. Google News. March 20, 2006. Retrieved August 22, 2014.