The high school was opened in 1952. The incoming freshman classes consist of students that feed in from Arcadia's three middle schools: First Avenue Middle School, Richard Henry Dana Middle School, and Foothills Middle School.
The school has a teaching staff of 148. Four hold doctorate degrees, and 110 have master's degrees.[2] The administrative staff consists of the principal, four assistant principals, and one dean of students. Arcadia High School has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—for the first time in 1964 and most recently in 2023, for a fixed term after each evaluation.[3]
Arcadia High School has a GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10.[4]
History
The Arcadia School District came to be at the same time as the incorporation of Arcadia in 1903.[5][6]
About 1975, the closed-campus policy and the dress code were discontinued. The change was influenced by the U.S. Supreme Court decision Tinker v. Des Moines, which stated that students do not "shed their constitutional rights... at the school house door." That year the student population of Arcadia High reached its highest population at about 3,300 students.[5]
In the 1980s, enrollment decreased considerably to about 2,200 students, largely due to the aging demographic in Arcadia. Since then, enrollment has rapidly increased. In the 1990s, the demographics of the school dramatically changed.[5]
A $218million bond measure was passed on the November 7, 2006, election ballot for the purpose of upgrading and repairing Arcadia schools. A large part of local property taxes are absorbed by the state, and Arcadia is the lowest-funded unified school district in Los Angeles County.[7] A new Student Services Center provides a grand entrance to the high school on Campus Drive. The two-story structure includes general and special education classrooms, three computer labs, a television studio, graphic design and digital photography classrooms, and the high school's career center and health, counseling, and administrative offices. The brick and glass exterior finish visibly blends with other elements of the campus. Ground was broken in the summer of 2008.[7]
The Science Building is located on the south side of the campus on Duarte Road. The two-story center includes chemistry labs with preparation areas and collegiate-style biology and physics classrooms separated by lecture rooms.[7]
The 40,000-square-foot (3,700m2) Arcadia High School Performing Arts Center is located at the northwest corner of the campus. The center has ground-level and mezzanine seating for 1,200, and a stage that accommodates 150 musicians. The building contains a smaller theater, orchestra and dance rooms, and an internal courtyard. The Performing Arts Center construction began in 2010[7] and opened in October 2012.[8]
Controversies
Native American symbols in branding
Before 1997, Arcadia High School had used several Native American symbols in its branding, including an "Apache Joe" mascot, the Pow Wow school newspaper, the "Apache News" television program, the "Smoke Signals" news bulletin boards, the school's auxiliary team's marching "Apache Princesses" and opposing football team fans' "Scalp the Apaches".[9]
In September 1997, the L.A. School Board banned the use of offensive Native American branding from its schools following criticism from several Native American groups.[10] Members of the groups then advocated the same for Arcadia. The school consulted with Native American groups and made some concessions, including the removal of the "Apache Joe" mascot, the "Apache Princesses", and some other portrayals of Native Americans.[9] The student newspaper Pow Wow was renamed to Arcadia Quill in 2021.[11][12] The news show Apache News retained its name.[13]
Arcadia High School has established a relationship with the White Mountain Apaches through the Student Council Apache Commission (SCAC). The commission holds fundraisers and drives for the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Cibecue, Arizona, and monitors the school's use of Native American motifs.[14][bettersourceneeded]
In July 2020, following several petitions to change the school's nickname, AUSD Superintendent David Vannasdall announced that the administration will consider possible options after schools resume in-class sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
Athletics
The gym at Arcadia High School.The track at Arcadia High School.
The boys' cross country team earned CIF Division I state championships in 2010 and 2012. [16][17]Arcadia also won the national title at the Nike Cross Nationals in both 2010 and 2012.
In 2010, the team took first place at Nike Team Nationals and set a new record for the lowest team time in history. The team remained undefeated the entire season and broke the California state record.
In 2012, the boys cross country team won another state championship, led by Estevan De La Rosa. They went on to win the Nike Cross National Championships.[18]
Coach Doug Speck was inducted into the Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame at Mt. San Antonio College in 2009.[19]
In 2011 the school won first place at the National Science Bowl, JPL Regional Competition.[22]
In 2010 the school won first place at the National Science Bowl, JPL Regional Competition.[23]
In 2013 Arcadia High School won first place at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl Regional Competition at JPL, and first place in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl competition at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[24]
In 2010 Arcadia High School won first place at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl Regional Competition[25]
In 2010 Arcadia High School Constitution Team earned the California State Championship title.[26] In April 2010, Arcadia High School's Constitution Team was declared the national champion of the We the People competition.[27]
Performing arts
Arcadia has a drama program, a dance/prop production program (Colorguard) that has placed third in the nation twice as well as second in 2024. A dance program, an advanced dance company (Orchesis), four choirs, and a large instrumental music program. The Arcadia High School Theatre Department won first place in the High School Intermediate Category for its ensemble performance of Oklahoma!. Competing with schools from all over the United States, they secured the first-place trophy in February 2012.[28][bettersourceneeded] In 2013, the Arcadia High School Theatre Department took home the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Sweepstakes Trophy. Out of 66 schools throughout Southern California, Arcadia High School won the most first-place awards ranking them in first place for the overall sweepstakes award.[29][bettersourceneeded] The Marching Band and Color Guard was selected to perform in the nationally televised 2019 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade[30] and the 2022 Rose Parade in nearby Pasadena, California on New Year's Day.
Bruce Matthews played football at Arcadia High and at USC; played in the NFL for Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans; a first-year (inducted in the first year of eligibility) Hall of Famer of 2007.[36]
Clay Matthews played football at Arcadia High and at USC; played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons; a 4-time Pro Bowler.
Mirai Nagasu, national champion and Olympic figure skater, attended Arcadia High School for two years.
Bill Seinsoth, played baseball and holds records at Arcadia High and at USC; Los Angeles Dodgers first-round draft pick; killed in an auto crash shortly thereafter in 1969.
John Speraw, UCLA men's volleyball head coach; only individual in men's volleyball history to win an NCAA Championship as a head coach, assistant coach (2007, 2009, 2012) and player (1995); MPSF Coach of the Year, 2006. U.S. National Indoor Team assistant coach; gold medal, 2008 Beijing Olympics.{[40]}
↑ Burch, Matt (April 25, 2011). "Whiz Kid of the Week: Anne Wu". Patch. SCAC (Student Council Apache Commission)...protects and makes sure the school symbol, the Apaches, is used appropriately. The group also hosts money and clothing drives for the White Mountain Apaches in Arizona. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
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