Pasadena High School

Pasadena High School is a public high school located in Pasadena, California, and is part of the Pasadena Unified School District. The school has a long history, dating back to 1928, and has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in the 1990s with the help of California Department of Education and Pasadena City College. Pasadena High School has a diverse student body, with students from various backgrounds, including San Marino, California, South Pasadena, California, and Altadena, California. The school is known for its strong programs in STEM fields, including California Institute of Technology-affiliated programs, as well as its vibrant arts and music programs, which have produced talented alumni who have gone on to attend University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, and California State University, Los Angeles.

● History

The history of Pasadena High School dates back to 1928, when it was first established as a Pasadena Unified School District school. Over the years, the school has undergone several transformations, including a major renovation in the 1990s with the support of California State Legislature and Los Angeles County Office of Education. During World War II, the school played an important role in the war effort, with many students and faculty members contributing to the American Red Cross and United Service Organizations. In the 1960s and 1970s, the school was a hub for social and political activism, with students participating in movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-War Movement, inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. The school has also been recognized for its academic achievements, including being named a California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education and receiving awards from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the American Educational Research Association.

● Campus

The campus of Pasadena High School is located in the heart of Pasadena, California, and features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the iconic Pasadena City Hall-style administration building. The school has a range of facilities, including a state-of-the-art performing arts center that hosts events such as the Pasadena Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as a gymnasium that has hosted games and tournaments featuring teams from University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, and California State University, Los Angeles. The campus is also home to a variety of art installations and public art pieces, including works by local artists such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and landscaping, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Theodore Payne Foundation. The school is within walking distance of Old Town Pasadena and the Norton Simon Museum, and is accessible by public transportation, including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Foothill Transit.

● Academics

Pasadena High School offers a rigorous academic program, with a range of courses and programs in subjects such as mathematics, science, English, and social studies. The school has a strong focus on STEM education, with courses and programs in computer science, engineering, and biotechnology, and has partnerships with local organizations such as California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The school also offers a range of Advanced Placement and honors courses, as well as programs for students with special needs, including special education and English language learner programs, which are supported by organizations such as the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. The school has a highly qualified faculty, with many teachers holding advanced degrees from institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley.

● Extracurricular Activities

Pasadena High School has a vibrant extracurricular program, with a range of clubs, teams, and organizations for students to get involved in. The school has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the California Interscholastic Federation and featuring athletes who have gone on to compete in the Olympic Games, NCAA, and National Football League, and has produced notable athletes such as Jackie Robinson and Rafer Johnson. The school also has a range of music and arts programs, including band, choir, and theater programs, which have performed at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and have been recognized by organizations such as the Grammy Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Students can also get involved in clubs and organizations such as the Debate Team, Model United Nations, and Robotics Club, which have competed in events such as the National Debate Tournament and the International Robot Competition, and have been supported by organizations such as the National Forensic League and the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.

● Notable Alumni

Pasadena High School has a long list of notable alumni, including Jackie Robinson, Rafer Johnson, and Eddie Van Halen, who have gone on to achieve success in fields such as sports, music, and entertainment. Other notable alumni include NASA astronaut Sally Ride, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, and Academy Award-winning actor George Takei, who have been recognized by organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The school has also produced a number of notable politicians and public figures, including California State Senator Anthony Portantino and Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, who have been involved in events such as the California State Legislature and the United States Conference of Mayors. Many alumni have also gone on to attend top universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and have been supported by organizations such as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board.

Category:High schools in California