Alameda High School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alameda High School
The school's 1920s auditorium was designed in the Neo-Classical Revival style.
Address
2200 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501 Alameda , CA 94501 United States
Information
Type	Public high school
Motto	Always High Standards
Established	1874
School district	Alameda Unified School District
Principal	Angela Barrett
Faculty	Approximately 100
Teaching staff	78.22 (FTE)
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	1,863 (2023–2024)
Student to teacher ratio	23.82
Color(s)	Gold and white
Athletics	Football, basketball, cheerleading, track & field, soccer, softball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, swimming & diving, golf, cross country, badminton, and water polo
Athletics conference	CIF North Coast Section – WACC
Mascot	Hornets
Website	School website
Alameda High School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Oakland, California Show map of Oakland, California Location in California Show map of California Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	2200 Central Ave., Alameda, California
Built	1928
Architect	Carl Werner; builder: Kump, Ernest J.
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	77000280
Added to NRHP	May 12, 1977

Alameda High School is a public high school in Alameda, California. It's for students in grades 9 through 12. Both boys and girls attend this school. It is part of the Alameda Unified School District.

School History

Early Beginnings

The idea for a high school in Alameda started on March 6, 1874. On April 17, 1874, C. Y. Johns became the first principal. Classes started in July 1874 with 52 students. They met in a rented room above a drugstore. This place was called "Boehmer's Hall." Today, that building is a restaurant.

Boehmer's Hall was just for a short time. A new school building was finished in 1875. It was located on Santa Clara at Chestnut. The high school shared this space with the Grammar Department. This building became known as Haight School. The first class to graduate from Alameda High School was in 1878. There were nine students in that class.

Growing and Moving

Soon, the high school had too many students for Haight School. By 1900, temporary classrooms were set up at Porter School. This school was on Alameda Avenue. People then started a campaign for a new, separate high school building.

Students helped to pass a bond for the new school. The first stone for the new building was laid in 1902. This new site was at Central and Walnut. The building was officially opened in 1903. Students began classes there in December 1903.

The number of students kept growing. In 1925, a new bond issue was approved. The new school was dedicated in 1926. It had three connected buildings. The original 1903 building was updated to match the new ones. The architecture was designed by Carl Werner. It looked like ancient Greek temples. It had tall columns in front of the Kofman Auditorium. This auditorium is famous in the Bay Area for plays.

Modern Buildings

By 1955, the "old building" was replaced. A "new building" was constructed. Later, in 1977, there was a plan to build safer schools. This led to the newest high school building. It was built across the street from the main campus.

Original plans were to tear down the 1926 buildings. They would be replaced with a sports complex. Only the 1955 building would remain. But a group of former students and citizens saved the old buildings. So, the new construction was made smaller.

The newest building opened in 1978. It included the site of the former Porter school. The west wing now holds Language and Fine Arts classes. It also has the Frederick L. Chacon Little Theater. Alameda High School became an Alameda Historical Monument in 1976. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Students and Learning

Student Diversity

Alameda High School is a diverse school. In 2018, its students came from many backgrounds:

• 41% Asian
• 30% White
• 13% Hispanic
• 6% Black
• 4% two or more races

Academic Performance

Alameda High School generally performs well academically. It is ranked among the top schools in California. In 2017, 95% of the students graduated.

Student Activities

Sports Teams

Alameda Islanders Rugby playing Marin Highlanders

Alameda High School is part of the West Alameda County Conference (WACC). This is part of the North Coast Section (NCS). The NCS is part of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

Alameda High, Encinal High, and St. Joseph Notre Dame High School all have rugby teams. Both boys' and girls' teams play rugby.

Famous Alumni

Many notable people have attended Alameda High School. Here are a few:

• Dick Bartell – Professional baseball player
• Andy Carey – Professional baseball player and 2-time World Series champion
• Danny Chauncey – Guitarist for the band .38 Special
• Keelan Doss – Professional football player
• Debbi Fields – Creator of Mrs. Fields bakery
• William F. Knowland – Former United States Senator
• Kreayshawn – Rapper
• Jim Morrison – Songwriter and lead singer for The Doors
• Lou Nova – Boxer
• Maureen Orth – Journalist and author
• Simon Rex – Actor
• Mikhaila Rutherford – Paralympic swimmer
• Bryan Woo – Professional baseball player

Notable Faculty

• Don Perata – Politician (former teacher)