John H. Pitman High School, colloquially Pitman High School (PHS), is the second comprehensive high school located in Turlock, in the heart of the northern San Joaquin Valley in the U.S. state of California. It is situated in a transitional agrarian/suburban community and serves most of the northern part of Turlock, as well as the nearby CDP of Keyes. John H. Pitman consists of a 45-acre campus built alongside a suburban housing, placed between W Christoffersen Pkwy and N Kilroy Rd. John H. Pitman is ranked #4,120 in the country and #618 in the state [3]
The establishment of a new high school in Turlock, California, began in 1979 in response to projections indicating significant development and population growth, prompting efforts to address overcrowding within the existing educational infrastructure.
Throughout the 1990s, Turlock High School faced challenges related to overcrowding. Recognizing the need for a solution, steps were taken to establish a new high school capable of accommodating the growing student population. In 1998, the Turlock community approved a bond measure, facilitating the development and construction of a new educational facility. Named after John H. Pitman, a prominent teacher and principal from Turlock High School, the new school was located at a chosen site.[4]
Ground was broken for the construction project in late 1997. Despite budget constraints, construction progressed to alleviate overcrowding at Turlock High School. Darden Architects, based in Fresno, California, oversaw the architectural design of John H. Pitman High School, drawing on their experience with similar projects in the region.
The completion of the project was celebrated during a dedication ceremony on Saturday, August 10, 2002, attended by over 1,000 students eager to begin their educational journey at John H. Pitman High School. The ceremony included remarks from Superintendent William H. Gibson and Principal Rod Hollars, who welcomed each new student individually. Superintendent Gibson expressed satisfaction with the efficient management of the construction within the allocated budget and its early completion ahead of the scheduled school opening.[4]
Expansion and renovations
In 2019 the school remodeled the football and track and field field with artificial turf and all-surface material; later two new softball fields and a soccer field were added.[5]
On November 19, 2020, Pitman High School received $27,000 USD from the Pitman Pride Booster Club for a new scoreboard located in the aquatics' pool deck.[6]
In 2020, Pitman High School renovated their Culinary Arts class kitchen to a state of the art culinary kitchen.[7]
In late 2021, plans for a replacement scoreboard for the Pride'sBaseball team started with affiliation and partnership with the Pitman Pride Booster Club. The cost of the scoreboard was in total $32,000 with a 10 percent contingency while the Pitman Pride Booster Club would donate $25,000 USD to the school's athletic department. The building of the new scoreboard finished in January, 2022 while being in time for the Pride's 2022 Baseball season.[8]
During the latter part of 2021 and early 2022, TUSD high schools experienced several changes with the goal of enhancing and expanding their facilities. These updates included the introduction of electronic whiteboards, improvements to electrical systems, the implementation of new fire alarms, roof replacements, and enhanced lighting. Additionally, to accommodate the increasing number of students, the campus welcomed the "I" building, which added six new classrooms.[9]
Early 2022, TUSD & the John H. Pitman High School announced plans for an expansion of their Child Nutrition Annex Buildings. This plan would introduce a new option for students to receive lunch. The building was placed in the middle of the campus and costed $2,453,828.00 USD, with a 5% contingency.[9]
On August 15, 2022, Pitman High School's Kitchens for Change club received a $10,000 USD grant from Lead4Change to financially assist the club's operations.[10]
On June 20, 2023, TUSD partnered with TID (Turlock Irrigation District) to fund $56,300 USD towards the erection of lights for the Football & Track Field. Construction of the project was completed on August 12, 2023.[11] Further work to the field was proposed, with PDF (Pitman Foundation Development) starting a fund to construct a snack bar.
On August 4, 2023, John H. Pitman High School was funded $35,000 USD by the Turlock Lions Club to create plans and sponsor a scoreboard for Pitman Track and field and Football.[12]
In Mid-2024, the Pitman Development Foundation of Pitman Highschool donated and completed the construction of a Snack Bar to the John H. Pitman Sport Park facility.
Stadium Scandal
The development of Pitman High School, introduced in 2002, was built without the intentions to house a stadium, alternatively sharing Turlock High School's Joe Debely Field. With further developments of the school coming to completion, notably TID's integration of lighting,[11] Turlock Lions Club and their scoreboard,[12] as well as 2019's addition of an all surface Track and field renovation + AstroTurfAmerican football field[5] further pushes the current motive to bring a home to the Pride's campus. The surrounding towns (or communities), such as Hilmar, California, Modesto, California, and Ceres, California currently have or have planned construction of their own independent fields and stadiums based in their surrounding campus. Modesto City Schools released a goal towards a project that would set a date on constructing a stadium in almost every High School by 2038, which was passed by voters in 2022 and was named Bond Measures L.[13]
Athletics
Pitman High School provides a diverse range of seasonal sports opportunities such as:
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