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Dublin High School is a four-year high school located in the East San Francisco Bay Area. It is the only currently operating high school in the Dublin Unified School District—as another high school in the city has yet to be constructed and operational[2]—and serves about 3,500 students.
History
By the peak of the California Gold Rush in the 1850s, Dublin had established itself as a significant crossroads city in the San Francisco Bay Area.[3] The Murray School District, consisting of the quaint Murray School, was established in 1866 to meet the educational needs of an ever-increasing population. This proved satisfactory until the late 1950s after World War II, when real estate developers chose Dublin as a site for large-scale suburban development. The population subsequently skyrocketed, from 750 to 13,641 by 1970.[4]
The city scrambled to expand the school system, opening and closing several schools within the next few decades.[3] Dublin High School was established amidst this process in 1968—first as the second high school in Pleasanton, California. The school opened in 1969 and graduated its first senior class in June 1971. After the incorporation of the City of Dublin in 1982, Dublin High combined with the Murray School District to form the Dublin Unified School District in July 1988.[5]
It was around this time that Dublin High School adopted the Gael, the mascot of Saint Mary's College of California, as its own mascot—as a display of gratitude for the College's donation of athletic gear to the school's athletic department.
Modern issues and renovations
73.2% of Dublin voters approved a $184 million bond measure in the November 2004 election,[6] which the Dublin Unified School District planned to use in funding various school renovation projects. Dublin High School was the primary beneficiary of the measure, with $120 million dedicated to a complete renewal of the campus (which began in 2008 and was completed in 2015). The renewal included a new 500-seat Center for Performing Arts and Education,[7] a modernization of the 1968 gymnasium, and a new courtyard.
Over time, this too proved insufficient. Dublin's population continued to drastically increase in the 21st century, reaching a total of 46,036 by the year 2010.[4] By 2015, the Dublin Unified School District outlined a second comprehensive high school as one of its top priorities—as listed in its Facilities Master Plan[8]—citing a survey showing Dublin High faculty members' desires for additional classrooms and renovations of old facilities.[9] By September 2020, plans to build and open the new Emerald High School were finalized.
Dublin voters also passed another $99 million bond measure in 2012 to fund the construction of a 47,000 sq. ft. Science and Engineering Building,[10] which was completed in April 2021.
In the meantime, 2017 saw a beginning of protest and outcry from Dublin High teachers, who had struggled with increased class sizes without proper staffing accommodation or financial compensation.[11] As negotiations for appropriate pay raises and contractual improvements stagnated for months, members and supporters of the Dublin Teachers Association (DTA) took to the streets in a candlelight march to the District office, culminating in a series of statements at the ongoing School Board meeting.[12] This was the first of several marches which took place within the next couple years. In March 2019, the DTA threatened to go on strike if negotiations remained stagnant; a tentative agreement including a pay raise and class size limitation was reached in April.[13]
Response to the COVID-19 pandemic
This section tracks the response of Dublin High School and the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
2019-2020 school year
On March 9, 2020, all DUSD teachers were instructed to create a two week emergency plan in case school is closed due to COVID-19.
On March 10, 2020, the DUSD held an Emergency School Board Meeting to discuss ramifications and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. [14]
On March 13, 2020, DUSD issued a statement announcing temporary closure of all school sites until April 13, 2020. [15]
On March 25, 2020, Alameda County Board of Education suggested an extension to the initial 4-week closure, with the new end date now May 1, 2020. [16]
On April 1, 2020, DUSD determined it would extend the closure indefinitely.
2020-2021 school year
The 2020-2021 school year saw a cautious but steady return to normalcy. The Dublin City Schools Board of Education sought to rectify the chaos of the previous spring semester, launching their 2020-21 Responsible Restart Plan in late July 2020. The Responsible Restart Plan was a step-by-step procedure the Board intended to follow--from distance learning in the fall, to ultimately returning to "full-in" (all in-person instruction) by March 15, 2021. As the pandemic worsened, the initial plan proved difficult to follow as precisely as the Board had hoped: the hybrid learning model, scheduled to be implemented on September 8, 2020, finally began on January 11, 2021.[17]
Full in-person instruction was never achieved within the school year; but as summer neared, and COVID-19 cases dwindled significantly in number,[18] the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 was successfully held in-person at the Gaels Stadium, the school's multi-purpose outdoor stadium, on May 28, 2021.
2021-2022 school year
While uncertainties remain due to stagnating vaccination rates and new COVID-19 variants, Dublin High School plans to return to full in-person instruction, the only difference from pre-COVID instruction being a renewed masking policy[19] in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Academics
Dublin High is home to select Academies focusing on specific career paths:
Health Science and Medical Technology Academy
Dublin High School offers the opportunity for students to gain lab experience in the biomedical field. Students interested in the Pre-Med Track may join the Health Science and Medical Technology Academy, more commonly known as the Biomedical Academy.[20] The academy starts accepting students at the end of 8th grade; selective interviews are held to determine placement. The academy offers classes focused on the intersection between biology and medicine, with an emphasis on lab skills. The academy is closely affiliated with the school's HOSA club and offers a mentorship program in the eleventh grade to further career development.[21]
Engineering and Design Academy
Students also have the opportunity to pursue engineering via the Engineering and Design Academy.[22] This exclusive academy allows students to network with industry professionals and get priority to take a variety of engineering classes. In 2021, a three-floor Science and Engineering finished construction, allowing for expansion of the Academy as well as general classes.[23]
Culinary Academy
There is also a Culinary academy on campus for students to pursue this route. In this academy the main course is Catering, a course that actually caters to venues such as weddings and dinners. Those who take part in the culinary academy for 3 years receive a scholarship of a few hundred dollars upon graduation.
Performing Arts Programs
Dublin High School offers a few performing arts programs. The Irish Guard Marching Band and Color Guard competes in the Western Band Association (WBA) and Northern California Band Association (NCBA) in the AAAAA Division and has a membership of 147 students as of 2017. The Irish Guard has performed at field show competitions, home football and basketball games, concerts, and community events. The marching band and the off-season concert and jazz bands have performed in Hawaii, Disney World, Canada, Ireland, and Carnegie Hall, among others. The concert band performed at Symphony Center in Chicago in April 2014.[24][25] In March 2016, the marching band travelled to Ireland to perform in the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade in Bray. The Director of Bands at Dublin High School is Elliot Polot. Another program that the High school provides is the "String Orchestra" which the Director of Bands leads.
Dublin High also hosts an active Drama department, which offers courses and clubs that culminate in fall plays, spring musicals, student-directed One Acts, and attendance at the annual Lenaea High School Theatre Festival in Folsom, California.
Dublin High also offers three choir programs: concert choir, show choir, and advanced treble choir.
DHS Sports Complex
On-campus resources
Freshman Mentor Program
Created in 2015, the Freshman Mentorship Program (FMP) offers incoming freshmen guidance in transitioning from middle school to high school. As of 2017, the Program had 148 student members and 28 faculty advisors.[26]
Career Center
Frequented especially by upperclassmen starting the college admission process, the Career Center acts as a resource and guidance center for them. Presenting scholarship opportunities, processing work permits, and hosting guest speaker events.
Wellness Center
In 2019, Dublin High opened its Wellness Center in to cater to students' emotional needs and bring awareness to mental health. Besides general counseling, the Center also offers courses on adulting and smoking prevention, among others.
The Academic & Resource Center
The Academic & Resource Center (often shortened to "the ARC") serves as the tutoring center, providing access to technology (through Chromebooks), printers, textbooks, school supplies, and one-on-one assistance with curricula. It is located on the second floor of the Science and Engineering Building.
Transportation
Dublin High School is served by 3 different bus routes, most of which take students from Dublin High to East Dublin and back. This service is provided by Wheels, an LAVTA bus service.
The school also has two parking lots, one located on Brighton Drive and one on Village Parkway. In 2021, the Village Parkway parking lot was expanded at the old site of the now-defunct Dublin Swim Center. [27] Student parking is only available to juniors and seniors.[28][29]
Dublin Partners in Education
Dublin High students have the option to participate in the Dublin Partners in Education (DPIE) program. The program is most popular for its accelerated summer courses, which earn credit towards high school graduation and allow students to access more advanced courses the following year. [30]
Traditions
Number Hill
Each year around October, members of the senior class climb to the peak of the San Ramon Ridge Mountain Trailhead before sunrise, then draw the number of their graduating year with large amounts of flour. The hill has been appropriately nicknamed Number Hill.
Rally chants
The Gael Battle Cry, most often heard at quarterly school-wide rallies, is as follows: “V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, That’s our [grade level] Battle Cry!" (Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors each take turns chanting the Battle Cry, as a form of light-hearted competition.) [31]
Homecoming
Dublin High school hosts a Homecoming Week filled with many traditions, usually during the month of October. [32]
Theme - Every Homecoming, each grade level selects a theme for the week's activities. They are all led off with the same phrase "Under the _________", and each grade level fills in the blank.
Spirit Weeks - Typically Homecoming Week is filled with Dress Up days leading up to the big dance. Each grade level competes with one another to get the most spirit points (however no one knows how they are kept track of).
Skit Night - Every Wednesday during the week of Homecoming students attend a nighttime rally. Each grade level performs a 10-15 minute skit surrounding their theme, often based in humor. In the evening, the Homecoming Prince and Princess for each grade level are crowned.
Float Decoration - The following Thursday, students assemble a display of their theme near a certain section of the school. Students come before 5 AM to commence the building before the 7:45 AM judging.
Parade - On the Friday of Homecoming Week, in conjunction with the Dublin Police Department, the school shuts down Village Parkway, the main road leading to Dublin High. Marching bands and miscellaneous participants from the elementary, middle, and high school levels march down towards the school performing music and choreography.
Carnival - At the conclusion of the Parade, students head back to school for the Homecoming Carnival, the most significant fundraiser for DHS clubs. Students may select from opportunities to play games, eat food, and hangout with friends. Tickets cost $5 but most students elect to volunteer at the fair in exchange for a free entry.
Football Game - The final event of the week is the Homecoming Football Game. Students Pack Gaels Stadium to watch the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams hit the gridiron.
Dublin High School entrance
Notable events and accolades
MythBusters stars at Dublin High School
On February 22, 2012, MythBusters stars Adam Savage and Kari Byron participated in a panel session at the Dublin High School Engineering and Design Academy Open House. 1,000 people attended the sold-out event.[33][34][35]
Teacher Eugene Chou won the 6th annual Project Lead The Way California Teacher of the Year award on February 2, 2017.[36][37]
The Dublin Unified School District was recognized by Green Street Scene in 2009 with a Green Building Award for the use of green technology in the renewal of Dublin High School.[38]
