Rising Sun High School

Rising Sun High School. It is a comprehensive public secondary institution located in Sunfield, California, operating within the Sunfield Unified School District. Founded during the post-World War II population boom, the school has grown into a prominent educational center for the region, known for its rigorous academic programs and competitive athletic teams. The school's identity is deeply intertwined with the development of the San Fernando Valley and its evolution into a major suburban community.

History

The school's establishment in 1957 was a direct response to the rapid residential growth in the San Fernando Valley following the G.I. Bill and expansion of aerospace companies like Lockheed Corporation. Its first principal was Harold J. Winslow, a veteran of the Korean War who emphasized discipline and civic engagement. The campus initially served students from a wide geographic area before the construction of Valley Crest High School in 1964 alleviated overcrowding. A significant chapter in its history was the student-led protest in 1971 advocating for the inclusion of Ethnic studies in the curriculum, mirroring national movements emanating from campuses like UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University. The school underwent a major seismic retrofit and modernization project in 2002, funded by a local bond measure, Proposition 47.

Academics

Rising Sun High School offers a curriculum that includes over 30 Advanced Placement courses, with particularly high participation rates in AP Calculus, AP United States History, and AP Biology. The school houses a specialized STEM magnet program, established in 1998 through a partnership with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California State University, Northridge. Its visual and performing arts department is renowned, having produced several finalists for the National YoungArts Foundation competition and maintaining a longstanding affiliation with the Music Center in Los Angeles. The school consistently exceeds average scores for the Sunfield Unified School District on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

Athletics

Competing in the CIF Southern Section as a member of the Mission League, the school's athletic teams are known as the Sunhawks. Its football program, under longtime coach Marcus Thorne, won CIF State Championships in 2005 and 2012. The women's soccer team has been a perennial powerhouse, capturing seven CIF Southern Section titles since 2000 and producing numerous players who have competed in the NCAA Division I. The school's swimming and diving team trains at the on-campus Olympic-size swimming pool, a facility that hosted the 1996 Olympic Trials. Notable rivalries include an annual cross-town matchup with Valley Crest High School, known as the "Battle for the Sunfield Bell."

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved distinction across diverse fields. In public service and law, graduates include Ninth Circuit judge Cynthia R. Alvarez and former California State Assembly member David Chen. The entertainment industry is represented by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Michael Ross and lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning band The Echoes, Sarah Jensen. In athletics, alumni include Major League Baseball pitcher Ryan Flores (Dodgers) and WNBA champion Tasha Mitchell (Sparks). Scientific contributions come from NASA engineer Dr. Aris Patel, a key figure in the Mars Science Laboratory mission.

Campus and facilities

The 45-acre campus is situated in the northeastern sector of Sunfield, bordered by the Sunfield Community Park. Its architectural style is predominantly Mid-century modern, with the original classroom buildings constructed around a central quadrangle. Modern additions include the three-story Science and Technology Wing, opened in 2015, and the 600-seat Performing Arts Center, which hosts collaborations with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Athletic facilities are extensive, featuring the 5,000-seat Thorne Field, an all-weather track, and twelve tennis courts. The campus is also home to a branch of the Sunfield Public Library system, operating as a joint-use facility for students and the community.

Category:Public high schools in California Category:Educational institutions established in 1957 Category:Sunfield, California