Riverside Polytechnic High School

Infobox_School | name = Riverside Polytechnic High School
established = 1887
type = Public
principal = Wade Coe
enrollment = 2,471
mascot = Bear
colors=color box|Green Green
color box|Orange Orange
location = 5450 Victoria Ave
Riverside flagicon|California|size=20px California
flagicon|USA|size=20px United States
information = [phone]
website = http://polyweb.rusd.k12.ca.us/

Riverside Polytechnic High School is a high school located in Riverside, California. It is a part of the Riverside Unified School District.

History

Riverside Polytechnic High School traces its heritage to 1887 when the newly formed community of Riverside demanded higher education for their children. The first joint-elementary/high school, later called Grant School, graduated the first class of Riverside High School with seven students, four girls and three boys, in 1890. Miss Eugenie Fuller was its principal. When classes grew too large in 1902, a new co-educational high school building was constructed on 9th Street between Lemon and Lime Streets.

In 1910, Riverside High School's enrollment was approximately 500 students, and again new facilities were required. In 1911, the genders were separated creating a Girls High School continuing in the existing building and a Boys High School at the newly constructed Tequesquite campus. Miss Eugenie Fuller continued as principal of the Girls High School, and Mr. J.E. McKown was appointed principal of the Boys High School which was renamed Riverside Polytechnic High School.

World War I brought great change to both high school campuses, and saw principals change as they went to support the war effort. The enrollment explosion waned as young men flooded into the armed forces. In 1924, more change occurred. The school board established the creation of a junior high school level and consolidated the senior high schools into one co-educational school. A new Applied Arts Building provided Home Economics and "other facilities for the girls." The old Girls High School served as a Girls Junior High School, while the Boys Junior High School was located at the old Grant School. 1945 saw the Junior College and the Senior High School with growing enrollments, and so provided separate administrations for each. (c) There were 202 seniors in 1924.

Then in 1956 double sessions at Poly were needed until a second high school, Ramona High, could be built. As high school enrollment continued to grow, it was evident that still a third high school would be needed in Riverside. In 1961-65, Poly separated from the Junior College campus and a site on the corner of Central and Victoria Avenues was built, along with a high school on 3rd Street and Chicago Avenue, named North High. Both high schools opened their doors in September, 1965, with the Victoria site continuing the traditional name of Riverside Polytechnic High School. Since that time, Poly High School classes have taken place on the present site, tracing its heritage back over 100 years.

Riverside Polytechnic High School is home to one of the original, still active Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) units established in 1916. (a) In the 1916 annual there is no mention of ROTC. (b) note: 1920 was the 1st year the school received real rifles.

There were 51 young men making up the Class of 1916 known as the Stags of 1916. There were 18 Faculty members. This Class was the 1st to complete the 4 years course offered in the new building. [ 1916 Riverside High School Annual, excerpt ]

For more history see * [http://www.riversidehistory.org/index.html Riverside Poly High School] Information from old school yearbooks. You will find the names of some students for several years from 1914 to about 1937. All information at this website comes directly from the school annuals.

Please note all of the school annuals can be found in the Local History section of the Riverside City Library in downtown Riverside.

Mascot and School Pride

Riverside Polytechnic High is a proud supporter of their mascot, a powerful Bear. Poly High is known for their strong colors of Green and Orange. The reason why this high school has had these colors for years are because they represent what Riverside is known for: their beautiful Orange Groves. The proud heritage of this town has always been outstanding and will continue for generations to come.

Music

The Proud Heritage Band and Color Guard, also known as the “Pride of Riverside”. They been a part of the Riverside Community for over 75 years. They have marched at Disneyland and in many parades for dignitaries as well as having a reputation of always getting first or second place in competition. The band has traveled to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to perform with the Naval Pacific Fleet Band on the USS Missouri. The Winter Drum-line won the 2007 American Drum-line Association Southern California Championships making them the first place high school Drum-line (in that league) in Southern California.

This year they are performing a field show called Serengeti and features the band's musical ability with challenging music.

Associated Student Body

ASB "Mission Statement"The focus of ASB is to efficiently carry out the desires of the student body. Throughout the year, ASB organizes several activities to enrich the school experience for all students. These activities include, two blood drives, formal and casual dances, lunch time activities, assemblies, elections for office, community service opportunities, and staff and teacher appreciation. Through these activities we hope to make the school year enjoyable for all students and staff.

Athletics

Athletics can be a part of a message sent through our community that interscholastic athletics potentially have lifetime learning experience impact. Unlike sports events we see on television at the collegiate and professional level where entertainment is the mission and sportsmanship is not a primary objective, our goal is to have a positive educational affect. This message must be communicated if we are to continue to have success in this area. Integrity, fairness and respect are lifetime values taught through athletics, and these are the principles of good sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of the results.

Notable Alumni

* Bobby Bonds, MLB baseball player for the San Francisco Giants
* Reggie Miller, (class of 1983) NBA basketball player and commentator.
* Cheryl Miller, (class of 1982) NCAA women's basketball player, WNBA coach and commentator.
* Michael Wittig, (class of 1994) Dove Award winning, and Grammy Award nominated musician in the band Pillar.
* Jo-Jo Reyes, MLB baseball player for the Atlanta Braves
* Cynthia "Sippy" Woodhead, (class of 1982) Silver Metalist 1984 Olympic Games 200m Freestyle.
* Greg Myers MLB, (class of 1984) Baseball Player, for the Toronto Blue Jays
*Larry Christiansen, class of 1974, Chess Grandmaster, US Chess Champion 1980, 1983, 2002

External links and references

* [http://polyweb.rusd.k12.ca.us/default.html Official School website]
* [http://www.rusd.k12.ca.us/ourschools/phs/who.html Riverside Poly High history]
* [http://www.riversidehistory.org/index.html Riverside Poly High School] information from old school yearbooks.
* [http://www.riversidepolyband.com Riverside Poly Proud Heritage Band and Color Gaurd]