Santa Clara High School (Oxnard)

Infobox High School
name= Santa Clara High School


headmaster=
principal= Siobhan O'Reilly-Hill
motto=
established= 1901
type= Parochial
location= Oxnard, California
enrollment= 350
campus= Suburban
colors= Blue and Gold
nicknames= Saints
conference= Frontier
website= [http://www.santaclarahighschool.com Official website] |

Santa Clara High School, or SCHS as it is commonly referred to, is a private, Catholic four-year high school serving grades 9-12 in Oxnard, California. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Opening in September 1901, The school is the oldest high school in Ventura County.

History

The school, originally named St. Joseph's Institute, was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on September 2, 1901. The school moved to the top floor of the Santa Clara Elementary School building on South "E" Street, and in April of 1930 the name was changed to Santa Clara High School. Over the next two decades, increasing enrollment necessitated a new facility, and under the leadership of Monsignor Anthony Jacobs, and a generous land grant from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Friedrich, the new Santa Clara High School opened on South Saviers Road in the Spring of 1952. In 1964 the high school annexed the adjacent empty junior high school facility, acquiring sixteen new classrooms, office space and a new auditorium, doubling the capacity of the high school.

In 1967 the school became an Archdiocesan high school and operational responsibility of the school shifted to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In 1981, The Sisters of St. Joseph, who kept residences at the school, moved to St. Anthony's Convent and their space was renovated into additional classrooms and office space. In 1986 a new gymnasium, Friedrich Pavilion, was constructed.

Today

Santa Clara High School is rebounding from a decade of declining enrollment and fading image. At one time, the enrollment was upwards of 1,000 students, but in 2003 it hit a low of just 260. In 2004 a new principal, Siobhain O'Reilly-Hill was hired, and a campus improvement campaign was conducted. As a result, enrollment is up to 500 and growing, and many students are continuing on to prestigious universities.

Athletic Tradition

Santa Clara High School has a long history of success in its sports programs, most notably its basketball program. In its storied history since Coach Lou Cvijanovich took the helm in 1958, the boy's basketball program has won 30 league titles (most league titles of any high school program in the country), 15 CIF titles (second most in California high school history), as well as 3 California State Championships (1989, 1990 & 1999). The program appeared in 3 straight state championship games (1989,1990 & 1991), winning in 1989 and 1990 and losing in 1991. In 1999, Lou Cvijanovich announced that after 41 years of coaching the basketball program, he would be retiring at the end of the season. The 1999 team went on to win the state title, winning 30 games and Coach Cvijanovich's record 829th victory in the process.

Cross-country, which was a power house in the year 2000, is on its way to fame. Now headed by coach Aaron Sharp, the team is aiming for high goals in 2008.

Notable Staff & Alumni

*Lou Cvijanovich: Legendary basketball coach from 1958-1999. Winningest coach in California high school history.

*Dave Laut: This SC graduate won Olympic Bronze at the 1984 Summer Games for shot put. He was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

External links

* [http://www.santaclarahighschool.com Official School Website]