Here, at Verdugo Hills High School, echoes of passion and history resonate. Established in 1937 Verdugo Hills High School has a rich story to tell. It is more than just a school. It is a landmark that has shaped countless lives.
Originally, the school was to be named Calvin Coolidge High School. Congressman John Steven McGroarty successfully lobbied for a change. He wanted the name to honor the green Verdugo hills to the south.
Imagine this lemon orchard. It once stood where Verdugo Hills High School now stands. The eucalyptus trees along the north side are remnants of that orchard. They served as a windbreak.
Early on, residents fought for a local high school. They were initially denied due to a perceived lack of students. The community persisted. They eventually secured funding.
The main building of Plainview Avenue School once occupied the parking lot. Bungalows were the architectural style. The music building now reflects this style.
Verdugo Hills High School quickly grew. Enrollment soared in the second semester. The first graduating class comprised 51 students in 1939. Expansion became necessary. Verdugo took over the Plainview Elementary site. The elementary school was rebuilt nearby.
Much of the construction was done by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. The rock bleachers at Kersey Field stand as a testament to their work. Kersey Field is named after the superintendent who approved Verdugo’s construction.
McGroarty Auditorium’s cornerstone was laid in 1942. However, it was not completed until 1957. The community built it to honor John Steven McGroarty. He was California’s Poet Laureate and a U.S. Congressman. The Lion’s Club gifted the auditorium an organ. It is still used today.
Keltner Glen sits between McGroarty Auditorium and the main building. It was named for Phil Keltner. He was an active Booster Club member. Polio left him in a wheelchair. Despite this he remained involved.
Glenn Hall, the science building, was built in 1961. It honors astronaut John Glenn. Suffel Hall, built in 1969, is named for Lucia Shumway Suffel. She taught art and jewelry-making.
Verdugo Hills High School is also a popular filming location. The school website boasts that it has hosted more movies, television shows, and commercials than any other school worldwide.
Verdugo Hills High School champions passion achievement community culture and legacy. The Yucca plant is the school’s emblem of honor. It is known for its resilience. The school aligns its academic beliefs with the plant. It provides students an enriched study. This incites deeply rooted success.
The STEM2 Magnet program offers college-like immersion in science technology engineering mathematics and media. The Academy fosters dreams and passions. The Visual and Performing Arts Magnet thrives on creativity inclusion and empowerment.
Today, Verdugo Hills High School stands as a beacon of education and community pride. Its history is etched into its buildings and its spirit. As you leave remember the echoes of the past. Embrace the promise of the future forged within these halls.