Monterey High School (Monterey, California)

Monterey Union High School in 1917.

“Monterey High School was founded in 1905. The original Monterey High School (prior to 1905) consisted of two schools; Monterey High School and Del Monte Technical School. In 1905, the schools were joined to form the Monterey Union High School. When the original wooden three story building burned down, the new school was built on the current site by 1915. The school serviced students from as far north as Castroville to as far south as Big Sur and all of Carmel Valley. The other two Districts, Pacific Grove and Carmel, only serviced student within their city limits, which was very small” [2]. In September 1963, Seaside High School became the second school in what was the Monterey Union High School District. The District unified in 1966 and became the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD).[3] [4]

The school has two gyms: Randall Gym, which was built in the 1920s, and the smaller Harmon Gym built in the 1940s. The gyms were named after the late coach Randy Randall and the late P.E. teacher Jean Harmon. The school is also home to the Dan Albert Stadium, named after the longtime Monterey mayor and former football coach.

Monterey High School is situated on 12.3 acres (5.0 ha; 0.0192 sq mi) and contains 50 classrooms, a library, a lecture room, two gymnasiums, a dance studio, a music building, a cafeteria, and an administration building. In 2010, the District passed a $78 million bond. Funds have been designated to upgrade the school's infrastructure. Renovations to the school's heating system, swimming pool, student bathrooms, counseling office, library, and includes constructing a college and career counseling center and computer lab. Common areas will be completed in Phase I of the project along with ADA compliance. The district is as of 2014 using general funds to upgrade the technology resources across the campus.[5]

• Dan Albert, 10 terms as Monterey City mayor from 1986-2006; two terms on the City Council from 1979-1986; former MHS teacher and football coach.[6]
• Mike Aldrete, MLB outfielder (1986–1996) and coach
• Tory Belleci, MythBusters
• Victor Cole, MLB pitcher (1992)
• Jim Colletto, college head football coach at Purdue (1991–1996) and NFL assistant coach
• Claude Crabb, NFL defensive back (1962–1968)
• Nick Cunningham, bobsledder, (placed 12th in the two-man sled at the 2010 Winter Olympics)[7]
• Pete Cutino, all-time winningest college water polo coach in U.S. history [8]
• Herman Edwards, former NFL head coach (2001–2008) and defensive back (1977–1986)[9]; current head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils
• Charley Harraway, NFL running back (1966–1973)[9]
• Pete Incaviglia, MLB player (1986–1998), manager of the Grand Prairie AirHogs
• Joe Jackson, American football player
• ML Carter, American football player
• Ron Johnson, American football player
• Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defense (2011–2013), CIA Director (2009–2011), White House Chief of Staff (1994–1997), U.S. congressman (1977–1993)[10]
• Josh Randall, actor
• Nate Wright, NFL defensive back (1969–1980)[9]
• Greg Heydeman, Major League Baseball pitcher for 1973 Los Angeles Dodgers