Doesn’t its motto draw you in? South San Francisco High School’s “Warrior State of Mind” reflects a commitment to resilience and empathy. I’m excited to share the story of this school.
South San Francisco High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12. It’s located in South San Francisco, California. It operates as part of the South San Francisco Unified School District. The school was established in 1913.
Let’s explore its vision. South San Francisco High School strives to graduate resilient lifelong learners. They aim to develop productive globally conscious citizens. These citizens should have useful skills.
South San Francisco High School operates under a closed campus policy. This means students can’t leave for lunch. Visitors aren’t allowed during school hours either. The district offices for the SSFUSD are conveniently located on the school campus near the main entrance.
The campus includes a main office building. It has a school library and an auditorium. You will also find a cafeteria and gyms. The Science Garage and nine campus wings also stand here. The B-G wings house the majority of classrooms. The “S” wing contains the shops. These include woods, auto, ceramics, and art. The auditorium sits to the right of the main entrance. The cafeteria is conveniently located next to it. The “M” wing houses the broadcasting station and the band room. The video broadcasting class provides live segments daily. They broadcast through the school’s cable network. It is also available online.
In 2021, brand new baseball and softball diamonds opened. They replaced grassy practice fields. Before that, the baseball team used Bob Brian Field. It was located at Orange Memorial Park.
The Science Garage offers state-of-the-art equipment. It’s a biotech lab and classroom. The Genentech Foundation supported its construction with a 7.8 million dollar grant. It opened in late 2017.
On April 1, 2019, students and staff planted trees. They planted 14 orange, persimmon, and apple trees. It became a new campus orchard.
An outdoor learning space was built in 2021. It includes picnic tables and benches. Students use it during lunch. A projector and screen are available for outdoor lessons. The perimeter features native plants and vegetables. The SSFHS Earth Club maintains them. They donate the vegetables to Mission Meals.
South San Francisco High School has a diverse student body. According to U.S. News and World Report, 95% of students are “of color”. Forty-four percent come from economically disadvantaged households.
The school mascot is the Warriors. In 2020, the school district abandoned Native American imagery. This imagery was considered insensitive. A student group called Students 4 Change advocated for the change.
South San Francisco High School offers pathways for both college and career readiness. Students can take Advanced Placement courses. Skyline College partners with the high school. They provide after-school workshops.
The school offers Career Technical Education classes. These classes explore subjects like Arts, Media, and Health Science.
South San Francisco High School offers many sports. These include football, basketball, and soccer. The Bell Game is an annual football tradition. South San Francisco High School plays against El Camino High School. The winner gets “The Bell” trophy.
South San Francisco High School held its first Special Olympics basketball tournament in 2020.
Several notable people attended South San Francisco High School. James H. Coleman became the youngest LGBTQ member of the South San Francisco City Council. Doug Aronson played in the NFL. Rue Randall Clifford was one of the school’s first teachers. The football field is named in her honor.
South San Francisco High School stands as a beacon of learning. It fosters growth and prepares students for a bright future.