Sweetwater High School (National City, California)

Infobox School
name = Sweetwater High School
type = Public high school
grades = 9-12
established = 1921
address = 2900 Highland Ave.
city = National City
state = CA
country = USA
district = Sweetwater Union High School District
principal = Wesley Braddock
asst principal = Michael Govea
John Cherry
Gina Galvez-Mallari
David Mitrovich
enrollment = 2,774
staff = 201
ratio = 24.1
motto = "Once a devil, always a devil."
mascot = Red Devils


colors = Red and Gray color box|red color box|gray
feeders = Granger Junior High School
National City Middle
homepage = http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/

Sweetwater Union High School (commonly known as SUHI), located in National City, California, United States, is a high school established in 1921, and consequently, is one of the oldest high schools in San Diego County. Part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, the high school predominantly serves the National City community. The school serves approximately 2,774 students.http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/SARC%2005.06.pdf]

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 students 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. [ [http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/SARC/2008/SARC2008_SUH_Short.pdf 2006-07 School Accountability Report Card (CA Dept of Education) ] ]

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 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. [ [http://www.suhialumni.com/history.html Sweetwater Alumni History Page ] ]

Student Demographics

SUHI is a culturally rich schoolFact|date=July 2008 that reflects the population of its community.

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:

In 2008, Sweetwater High School achieved a State API Ranking Score of 9, placing us in the top 10% of schools statewide. It was also one of only two schools statewide to exit program improvement.

Classes

The Sweetwater High School staff consists of 201 teachers, administrators, counselors and support staff. Our 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, we enjoy partnerships with University of California, San Diego (through Compact for Success), San Diego State University, and Southwestern College.

Athletics

SUHI has a long, proud tradition of athletic excellence.

* CIF Division 2A Champions, Boys Basketball (1980)
* Metro League Champions, Boys Track (1982)
* Metro League Champions, Football (1982)
* Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1982)
* Metro League Champions, Boys Basketball (1983)
* CIF Division 3A Champions, Boys Football (1983)
* Metro League Champions, Girls Volleyball (1983)
* CIF Division 3A Champions, Boys Football (1984)
* Metro League Champions, Baseball (1984)
* Metro League Champions, Girls Basketball (1984)
* Metro League Champions, Girls Track (1984)
* 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, 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)
* Cheerleading Champions (2007)
* MJROTC Honor Unit (2007)
* CIF Division 2 Champions, Boys Soccer (2008)

Clubs

SUHI offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs:

*African American Student Union (Mr. Santamaria)
*Academic Decathlon (Ms. Garcia)
*Advanced Dance (Ms. Mitchell)
*Amnesty International (Mr. Cassel)
*Animal C.A.R.E. (Ms. Campbell)
*Asian International Association (AIA) (Mr. Esperon and Ms. Luansing)
*Associated Student Body (ASB) (Mr. Cherry)
*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. Garcia)
*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 eight times: 1996-97, 97-98, 98-99, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, and 05-06. 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. [ [http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/suhteacher/forand/Main.html MCJROTC Sweetwater High School ] ]

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.

UHI 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 School 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, Yearbook Advisor, Kicking Coach, Girls Tennis Coach, class of 1993
*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

*Gail Devers - Class of 1984; Three-time Olympic 100 m champion for the US Olympic Team
*Dan Saleaumua - Class of 1982; Former NFL Football player
*James Primus - Class of 1983; Former NFL Football player

External links

* [http://sweetwaterfootball.googlepages.com/ SUHI Football]
* [http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/suhteacher/forand/main.html SUHI MJROTC]
* [http://www.sweetwatersoccer.com/ Lady Devils Soccer]
* [http://www.ncdiablos.com/ National City Diablos]
* [http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/ Official School Website]
* [http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/suh/bellschedule.pdf Bell Schedule]
* [http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/ District Website]
* [http://www.cifstate.org/ California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)]

Notes