Valencia High School is a public secondary school located in the neighborhood of Valencia in the city of Santa Clarita, California, United States. It is a part of the William S. Hart Union High School District.

Valencia High School is ranked in Newsweek's 2012 list of America's Best High Schools. The list is based on six components provided by school administrators: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), AP/IB/AICE tests taken per student (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10 percent), and AP courses offered per student (5 percent).

History

Valencia High School opened on September 1, 1994. The school received its first full accreditation from WASC in 1998. In 2001, Dr. Paul A. Priesz was named California Principal of the Year. This was the year that Valencia High School's student population reached over 3,500 students.

Controversies

In 2008 four Valencia highschool students reached a settlement for $300,000 over racial discrimination.

In 2020 during quarantine Principal Stephen Ford resigned after a petition received 600 signatures in response to Ford comparing wearing masks to the Holocaust.

On March 15, 2023, a student was caught on video driving around the school parking lot and singing "I don't like n-". This video sparked outrage from the NAACP and representatives from the William S. Hart School District.

Band

The band performs at home football games, school rallies, community events, and several competitive regional marching band competitions. The band has won gold medals in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) three times. The band has performed at Bands of America events as well as Hawaii, Carnegie Hall, and Florida.

Color Guard

The color guard performs at home football games and at school rallies. It also has competitive seasons for both the first and second semester of the school year. Within the first semester, the team performs with the Valencia High School marching band. During the second semester, the team takes part in WGASC and WGI competitions. In 2022 Valencia won gold at the SCSBOA Championships in the 2A Division.

AFJROTC

AFJROTC’s goal is to train high school cadets in citizenship. The other goals are to instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline.

Athletics

thumb|317x317px|right|Valencia High School Softball - National Champions 2007

Foothill League Champions

Valencia High School competes in the Foothill League athletic conference. The other schools in the league are Canyon, Castaic, Golden Valley, Hart, Saugus, and West Ranch High Schools. The schools that no longer participate are John Burroughs High School and Burbank High School.

State Champions

  • Softball - 2007
  • Boys' Volleyball - 2008
  • Track & Field - 2009
  • Boys' Basketball - 2023

National Champions

  • Dance Team - 2003
  • Boys Volleyball - 2006
  • Softball - 2007
  • Dance Team - 2007
  • Dance Team - 2008
  • Boys Volleyball - 2008
  • Dance Team - 2009
  • Dance Team - 2010
  • Dance Team - 2011

Student demographics

As of the 2021–22 academic year, Valencia was the most populous school in the Hart District, with 2,484 students. 44.2% of students were non-Hispanic white, 23.6% were Hispanic, 20.8% were Asian American, and 3.9% were African American. As of 2020–21, 395 students (15.0%) were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

  • Taylor Dooley, actor (Class of 2011)
  • Kyle Ensing, professional volleyball player and member of the 2020 Olympic roster (Class of 2015)
  • Keston Hiura, MLB player for the Milwaukee Brewers (Class of 2014)
  • Max Homa, professional PGA golfer (Class of 2009)
  • Taylor Lautner, actor (Class of 2010)
  • Tanner Miller, college football player (Class of 2019)
  • Jared Oliva, MLB player for the Pittsburgh Pirates (Class of 2013)
  • Naya Rivera, actress (Class of 2005)
  • Mackenzie Rosman, actress (Class of 2007)
  • Tedric Thompson, NFL safety for the Seattle Seahawks (Class of 2013)
  • Ashley Tisdale, actress (Class of 2003)
  • Shane Vereen, NFL player for the New York Giants (Class of 2007)
  • Manuel White, NFL player for the Washington Redskins (Class of 2000)
  • Danny Worth, MLB player for the Detroit Tigers (Class of 2004)

Filming location

Valencia High School was used as a set for the films Bio-Dome, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, and Pleasantville. It was also used for filming the TV series Sweet Valley High. In 2019, George Salcedo's two short films Witness to Murder and Winger were also filmed on campus.

References

  • Valencia High School