Valhalla High School
Address
Map
1725 Hillsdale Road

El Cajon
,
United States
,
California,
92019
Coordinates32°45′38.74″N 116°55′16.18″W / 32.7607611°N 116.9211611°W / 32.7607611; -116.9211611
Information
School typePublic, High School
Established1974 (1974)
StatusOpen
School districtGrossmont Union High School District
NCES District ID0616230[1].
SuperintendentTheresa Kemper
NCES School ID061623002028[2].
PrincipalJoshua Johnson
Staff125
Teaching staff78.83 (FTE)[3]
Grades9-12
Age13 to 18
Enrollment2,150 (2020-21)[3]
Student to teacher ratio27.27[3]
Classes offeredComprehensive
LanguageAmerican English
Hours in school dayUp to 7h 35m
Classrooms85
Campus typeClosed
Color(s)   Orange and White with Navy trims
Athletics
List
MascotThor
AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges
NewspaperThe Saga
YearbookRagnarok
School feesNone
Communities servedRancho San Diego, Southern El Cajon
Websitehttp://valhalla.guhsd.net
[4][5]

Located in Rancho San Diego, Valhalla High School is a public high school operated by the Grossmont Union High School District with an enrollment of 2,112 students.[4] The school is characterized by its school colors, orange and white,[5] going by the nickname Orange Nation. During its existence, the school has won the California Distinguished School Award in both 2001 and 2003, and is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.[5] The school is currently directed by principal Joshua Johnson and three assistant principals.[6] Several programs are available to students, including ASB, marching, jazz, and orchestra bands, drama, color guard, cheer, dance, and athletics such as football and baseball, among other programs.[7]

History

Upon opening in 1974, the school had a very different open campus atmosphere, with a college-like schedule. The school was centered around the main building, with open-air classrooms. Reflective of this, the original motto was "Freedom with Responsibility".

During the 1980s, the school transitioned to a more traditional open campus, although some unique architectural elements remain.[4]

Campus

The original school was built in 1974. Valhalla's main structure is a five-story octagonal building. Originally orange, the trim of the building was painted blue in 2009. Classrooms are situated along the outside wall and center of the building. The gymnasiums are freestanding.

Sports facilities include a football and soccer field, baseball diamonds, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, and two swimming pools.

A new, freestanding, two-story building that houses 12 science classrooms is currently in use. The building was proposed in order to make more room for teachers. It was dedicated in May 2010.

In 2015, The main building was closed for renovation and repair of the inner structure. Temporary classrooms took their place for humanities and elective classes. In the 2016-17 school year, students returned to the main building for instruction, and the temporary classrooms were removed.

Traditions

Odin's March is the initiation for any new students or faculty members entering Valhalla High School. They must march up the stairs, through an arch of multicolored helium balloons called the Rainbow Bridge, and touch Thor's Hammer. When a student graduates, they descend the stairs and once again touch Thor's Hammer. This is also done for staff upon entry and exit from their tenure at Valhalla. On Fridays, Valhalla students can wear orange to receive a free slice of pizza.

Each year the senior class paints a mural that is permanently displayed and hung up inside the school building. Each mural is unique to the year in which that particular class attended including current events not normally related to the school itself.

Notable alumni

Sports championships

References

  1. ^ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Grossmont Union High". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved Mar 27, 2013.
  2. ^ "Search for Public Schools - Valhalla High (061623002028)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved Mar 27, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Valhalla High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "School Accountability Report Card (SARC)" (Portable Document Format). Grossmont Union High School District. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "About Us". Grossmont Union High School District/Valhalla HS. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Valhalla High School - Administration".
  7. ^ "Home". Grossmont Union High School District/Valhalla HS. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  8. ^ Jenkins, Chris (December 3, 2013). "San Diegan to head MLB players group". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  9. ^ "Eric Close". IMDb.
  10. ^ "Brad Daluiso". The Pro Football Archives. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  11. ^ Dolan, Steve (February 2, 1985). "At the Top of His World : Motocross Racing Has Made Broc Glover a Multimillionaire". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  12. ^ "Dan Gookin: , and a List of Books by Author Dan Gookin".
  13. ^ Gehlken, Michael (May 10, 2011). "Teen diver breaks Louganis' 34-year-old record". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  14. ^ Center, Bill (December 12, 2012). "Padres give Valhalla High grad O'Sullivan a shot". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  15. ^ Sauer, Mark (February 18, 2007). "Filmmakers help students effect change". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  16. ^ Sauer, Mark (January 31, 2005). "A far cry". Retrieved June 29, 2014.

External links

Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD)
Education in San Diego County, California
Authority control databases: Geographic
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