“Ready to unleash your inner Falcon?” I ask. That is the team name of Santee Education Complex.
Welcome to Santee Education Complex. It is a secondary school. Santee serves grades nine through twelve. The school is located at 1921 South Maple Avenue in Los Angeles. Santee is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is in the South Los Angeles area.
Santee Education Complex opened on July 5, 2005. It was built to relieve overcrowding at Jefferson High School. Santee was the first new four-year high school in LAUSD in over 35 years.
Funding for Santee came from a school construction bond. Los Angeles voters passed it in 2000. Santee was initially under the auspices of Local District 5. In 2008/2009, Santee teachers and administrators joined the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. This organization brings instructional practices into inner-city schools.
Since opening, Santee Education Complex has improved. Its API, CAHSEE scores and graduation rates have risen. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges also confirmed Santee’s progress. They awarded the school a three-year accreditation. This began with the 2010-2011 school year.
Santee Education Complex held its sixth graduation ceremony on June 24, 2011. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave the commencement address.
Santee has a successful athletic program. It includes league championships in basketball and track. In 2009/2010, the boys basketball team was undefeated. Their Southern League record was 13-0. The cross country and track team has dominated meets for ten years. At the 2011 Los Angeles City Track Finals, Santee Falcons placed first in the boys 1600m and 3200m races. Falcon girls placed first and second in the 3200m race.
The Santee Theatre is a 915-seat indoor theater. It is used for cinemas and musical events. Assemblies and other performing arts events are also held here. The theater has two levels. These are the floor level and loge level.
Santee Education Complex empowers students. It helps them graduate with integrity and knowledge. They gain skills to pursue their goals after high school. The staff works with parents and the community. They engage students in learning. This learning is inclusive, rigorous and relevant. Santee aims to develop innovative leaders.
Santee Education Complex had an enrollment of 1680 students in 2023-2024. The average class size is 35 students. The languages used are English and Spanish. The school colors are black and gold. The rival school is West Adams Preparatory High School.