Santa Barbara High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Barbara High School |
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Main Building is a designated landmark
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| Address | |
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700 East Anapamu Street
, California
93103
United States
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| Coordinates | 34°25′46″N 119°41′39″W / 34.42944°N 119.69417°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1875 |
| School district | Santa Barbara Unified School District |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 2,107 (2022-23) |
| Color(s) | Olive and Gold |
| Athletics conference | CIF Southern Section Channel League |
| Nickname | Dons |
| Rivals | Dos Pueblos High School, San Marcos High School |
Santa Barbara Senior High School, also known as "Home of the Dons," is a large school in Santa Barbara, California. It is part of the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The school campus covers about 40 acres (16 hectares).
Santa Barbara High School is one of the oldest high schools in California. It started in 1875. The school moved to its current location in 1924. Today, over 2,000 students attend the school. Many different cultures and backgrounds are represented. The school has special programs called academies. These include Visual Arts and Design (VADA) and Computer Science (CSA). There is also a Multimedia Arts and Design (MAD) program. The school also has a great performing arts department.
Sometimes, schools need extra money for programs. Santa Barbara High School gets help from the Foundation for Santa Barbara High School. This group raises money for school improvements. They help with academics, student well-being, and building projects. For example, they helped renovate Peabody Stadium.
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School History
In 1916, people in Santa Barbara wanted a new, bigger high school. The old school was in a different part of town. After some votes, construction began in 1922. The goal was to move the school to its current spot. This is at 700 East Anapamu Street.
The class of 1924 was the first to graduate from the new location. On Thanksgiving Day in 1924, Frederick Forrest Peabody gave the school a new football stadium. Students named it Peabody Stadium in his honor. In 1925, the first group of seniors who actually attended classes there graduated.
In November 2005, the school's unique Spanish-style design became official. It was named a historic landmark for both California and the City. For many years, Santa Barbara High School was the only public high school in the area. This changed when San Marcos High School opened in 1958. Dos Pueblos High School opened later in 1966.
School Leadership
In 2018, Elise Simmons became the Principal of Santa Barbara High School. She used to be a social studies teacher. She also worked as an assistant principal. Ms. Simmons has worked in the school district for 19 years. She studied at UC Santa Barbara and Concordia University. As Principal, her main goals are to help students get ready for college and careers. She also focuses on sports and student mental health.
Student Population
In 2022, U.S. News & World Report shared some facts about the students. About 65% of students are from minority groups. Nearly 59% are Hispanic. About 35% are white. A smaller number are Asian or Black. Also, about 49% of students are from families with lower incomes. This means many students receive free or reduced-price lunches.
Special Programs and Academies
Santa Barbara High School offers many exciting programs. These include three special academies.
School Academies
The school has three main academies:
- Visual Arts and Design (VADA)
- Computer Science (CSA)
- Multimedia Arts and Design (MAD)
Visual Arts and Design (VADA)
VADA started in 1999. It's a small learning community for creative students. Here, you can take classes in painting, drawing, and digital art. You can also learn photography.
In 2021, VADA began a big project. They raised money to build a new art studio and design lab. This new center has cool tools like laser cutters and 3-D printers.
Computer Science Academy (CSA)
The Computer Science Academy teaches many tech skills. Students learn about computational art and software design. They also study mobile programming and robotics. 3-D printing is another fun topic. In 2019, two students won awards for their computer skills. Ella Onishuk was recognized for her work with the Girls Who Code Club. Joy Patterson was honored for her work in the Robotics Club. Joy helped create an app with an interactive map of Santa Barbara. This app helped local tourism after mudslides in 2018.
Multimedia Arts and Design (MAD)
The MAD academy focuses on creative media. Students can take classes in graphic design and web design. They also learn advanced film production and photojournalism. The academy also offers a special trip to Mexico. Students help build homes for families who need them.
Performing Arts
The Santa Barbara High Theater has been active for over 100 years. The performing arts department works with professionals. These include designers, choreographers, and music directors. They help students learn and perform. Students put on shows all year in an 800-seat theater. It has modern lighting and sound systems. Past shows include The Crucible and Chicago.
Some former students from the performing arts program have become successful. Dana Costello performed on Broadway. Jessica Adcock Love also performed on Broadway.
Ethnic Studies
Fabiola Gonzalez, a former student, started a group in 2015. It was called the Santa Barbara Ethnic Studies Now! Coalition. They wanted ethnic studies to be a required class for graduation.
In 2018, the Santa Barbara School Board agreed. They voted to make ethnic studies a graduation requirement. This was to help all students succeed. The requirement started in 2024.
School Mural
More than 20 students worked on a large mural outside the school cafeteria. They worked with former students, including artist Manuel Unzueta. The mural is 60 feet long. It is called "La Loteria De Vida" (The Life Lottery). It shows symbols from Chicano and Chumash cultures. It also honors the history of Santa Barbara and the high school. Many people came to see the mural when it was finished in 2021.
Academic Success
In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Santa Barbara High School. It was ranked 3,566 out of over 17,000 schools in the nation. In California, it was ranked 528 out of over 1,600 public high schools. The school has a high graduation rate of 91%. Many students take Advanced Placement (AP) exams. These are college-level tests. About 37% of students passed their AP exams.
Here are some scores from the Smarter Balance tests:
- 37% of students were good at Math.
- 62% of students were good at Reading.
- 39% of students were good at Science.
In 2010, Newsweek magazine listed Santa Barbara High School as one of "America's Best High Schools."
School Sports
Santa Barbara High School offers many sports. These include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and swimming. They also have tennis, volleyball, and water polo. The school is known for its sports achievements. The Dons have won 51 titles. In 2014, the girls' basketball team won a big championship. They were also runners-up for the state championship.
The SBHS Surf Team has been around for decades. It has a Surf History Hall of Fame. Famous surfers like Tom Curren are in it. Students in the wood shop class even learn to make surfboards.
In 2019, the women's longboard surf team won a championship. In 2022, the high school surf club won in all categories. This included men's and women's shortboard, longboard, and bodyboard.
Peabody Stadium Improvements
Peabody Stadium was renovated for $39 million. The work was finished in 2020. The Foundation for Santa Barbara High School helped pay for it. The new fields are high-quality. They meet standards for big competitions. This means the school can host track, football, and soccer tournaments.
Student Newspaper
The school's newspaper is called The Forge. It has been published since 1914. This makes it the second-oldest high school newspaper in California to publish without stopping. In 2022, it featured articles like "The Surreal World of Ukrainians in Santa Barbara."
Some famous people used to work on The Forge. Leon Litwack (class of 1947) won a Pulitzer Prize. He was a professor and wrote books about slavery. Manuel Unzueta (1968) was a cartoonist for The Forge. He is now a well-known mural artist in Santa Barbara.
School Foundation
The Foundation for Santa Barbara High School is a non-profit group. It raises money for the school. This helps with academics, counseling, and sports. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation helped a lot. They paid for outdoor tents and air purifiers for classrooms. They also gave money to families who needed help. The Foundation also helped raise $5 million for the Peabody Stadium renovation.
Famous Former Students
Many successful people have graduated from Santa Barbara High School. Here are a few:
- Tanya Atwater (1960) - A geophysicist, known as the "Mother of Plate Tectonics."
- Josh Brolin - A famous actor who was nominated for an Academy Award.
- Kami Craig (2005) - An Olympic gold medalist in water polo.
- Randall Cunningham (1981) - A former NFL football player.
- Tom Curren (1982) - A professional surfer and three-time world champion.
- Martha Graham (1913) - A pioneer of modern dance.
- Karch Kiraly (1978) - A three-time Olympic gold medalist in volleyball.
- Leon Litwack (1947) - A Pulitzer Prize winner for history.
- Eddie Mathews (1949) - A Baseball Hall of Famer.
- Charles Schwab (1955) - The founder of a famous brokerage firm.
- Chris Shiflett - The lead guitarist for the band Foo Fighters.
- Jamaal Wilkes (1970) - A former NBA player who won four championships.
- Jordan Maron (2010) - A very popular YouTuber.
School Song
The school's song is "Santa Barbara, Hail to Thee!". Doris Holt, from the Class of 1944, wrote it.
