Samuel F. B. Morse High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Morse High School
native_name =

motto =
established = 1962
city = San Diego
state = California 92114
province =
country = USA
campus = Urban
type = Senior High School
affiliation =
affiliations =
president =
principal =
headmaster =
rector =
dean =
founder =
chaplain =
chairman =
head_label =
head =
faculty =
students =
enrollment = >3000
enrolment =
grades = 9-12
address = 6905 Skyline Drive
district = San Diego City Schools
oversight =
accreditation =
mascot = Tiger
colors = Navy blue, Old Gold, and White
colours =
newspaper = "The Morse Code"
yearbook = "The Key"
free_label_1 = Principal
free_1 = Todd Irving
free_label_2 =
free_2 =
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = [http://www.morsehs.com Morse High School web site]
footnotes =
picture =

Samuel F. B. Morse High School, also called Morse High School or simply Morse, is an urban public high school located in southeastern San Diego in the neighborhood of Encanto serving grades 9-12 in the American K-12 education system. Named after inventor Samuel F. B. Morse, it first opened its doors in 1962. Morse has produced several notable African American sports athletes among its alumni and has sent its graduates to many colleges and universities throughout the United States including Stanford, MIT, Yale, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Hampton University, Columbia University, UCSD, USC, Cal Tech, and UC Santa Barbara.cite web|url=http://morsehs.com/about/history.jsp?rn=9703410|title=School History of Morse High School|accessdate=2007-09-27]

Morse High School, the most populous of all high schools in the San Diego Unified School District, serves the predominantly working-class, culturally diverse urban communities of Alta Vista, Bay Terraces, Encanto, Jamacha-Lomita, Paradise Hills, and Skyline in Southeast San Diego.cite web|url=http://prod031.sandi.net/facplan/PDFs/BOUNDARY/mhsmorse.pdf|title=Morse High School Attendance Area 2007-2008|accessdate=2007-09-27] As of 2006-2007, demographics from the California Department of Education show that 35% of the students are Filipino, followed by Hispanic-Latino (34%), Black (21%), and non-Hispanic White (4.0%).cite web|url=http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/Cbeds4.asp?FreeLunch=on&Enroll=on&PctBlack=on&PctAm=on&PctAsian=on&PctFil=on&PctHisp=on&PctPac=on&PctWhite=on&PctMult=on&cSelect=MORSE%5EHIGH--SAN%5EDIEGO%5EUNIFI--3768338-3734654&cChoice=SchProf1&cYear=2006-07&cLevel=School&cTopic=Profile&myTimeFrame=S&submit1=Submit|title=2006-07 Selected School Level Data for Morse High School|accessdate=2007-09-22] Roughly 63% of the student body is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.cite web|url=http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/other/6207#toc|title=greatschools.net|accessdate=2007-09-27]

Academic Performance Index place the school in schoolwide API of 640 (growth) in 2007 from 648 (base) in 2006 where 800 is the targeted California state goal.cite web|url=http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/AcntRpt2007/2007GrowthSch.aspx?allcds=37683383734654|title=2006-07 Accountability Progress Reporting|publisher=California Department of Education|date=August 31, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-22] As of 2006, Morse High School has an API Statewide Rank of 3 out of 10, and an API Similar Schools Rank of 6 out of 10.cite web|url=http://api.cde.ca.gov/AcntRpt2007/2006BaseSch.aspx?allcds=37683383734654|title=2006 Base API School Report - Morse Senior High|publisher=California Department of Education|date=July 9, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-22]

Amid criticism of the school's declining performance after its administrative shake-up in 2002, [cite web|url=http://www.sdcitybeat.com/article.php?id=801|title=WHO'S TO BLAME?: Morse High School needs help, but is removing its principal the answer?|publisher=San Diego CityBEAT|first=Kelly|last=Davis|accessdate=2007-08-22] then-superintendent Carl Cohn brought in Todd Irving, a Co-Principal from East Palo Alto High School, [cite web|url=http://www.sandi.net/board/reports/2006/0711/actions.html|title=Board Action Summary for July 11, 2006|publisher=San Diego Unified School District|accessdate=2008-02-13] as Co-Principal to assist Principal Rocio Weiss for the 2006-2007 school year. [cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/preps/20070911-9999-1s11p-preptu.html|title=Rah, rah, rah! Be true to your school now|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|first=Kevin|last=Gemmell|accessdate=2008-02-13] Following Rocio Weiss's departure as Co-Principal in 2008, Todd Irving has retained his role as Principal of Morse High School.

Facilities on campus include The Hungry Tiger (a culinary center), a cafetorium, an indoor basketball court, a natural grass football stadium with a dirt running track and an outdoor amphitheater.

Morse has in-school and after-school programs including the Army JROTC program and junior and senior varsity sports. These sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, girls field hockey, football, golf, soccer, girls softball, swimming, girls tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.cite web|url=http://morsehs.com/athletics/|title=Morse High School Athletics|accessdate=2007-09-27]

With the closing of Gompers High School in 2007, Morse High School and the rebuilt Lincoln High School remain the only public senior high schools in Southeast San Diego.cite web|first=Helen|last=Gao|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070616/news_1m16gompers.html|title="Gompers High saying farewell to final class"|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=June 16, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-27] cite web|first=Helen|last=Gao|url=http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20070902-9999-1n2lincoln.html|title="Rebirth of Lincoln High"|title="Gompers High saying farewell to final class"|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=September 2, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-27] Additionally, Lincoln's reopening in 2007 has brought back a renewed, spirited crosstown rivalry between the two Southeast San Diego high schools.cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/preps/football/20070916-9999-1s16p-linc.html|title="Buzz back as The Hive tops Morse"|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=September 16, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-27]

Notable alumni

*Archie Amerson, football, c/o 1993
*Tommy Bennett, football, c/o 1991
*Marcus Brady, football c/o 1997
*Rashard Cook, football c/o 1995
*Terrell Davis, football, attended Morse but later transferred to Lincoln High School. [cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=yNLzRB9e1sAC&pg=PA1989&lpg=PA1989&dq=terrel+davis+morse+high+school&source=web&ots=W2ksmz6XdP&sig=GoYcFk183jwoPIIsicFU11YiIxs|title=Terrell Davis: Toughing It Out|first=Mark|last=Stewart|accessdate=2007-08-23]
*Army Staff Sgt. Richwell A. Doria, casualty Iraq War c/o 2000 [cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/memorial/20061114-9999-1m14doria.html|first=Tanya|last=Mannes|publisher=Union-Tribune|title=Morse High graduate dies in Iraq|accessdate=2007-08-22] [cite press release|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10179|title=DoD Identifies Army Casualty|publisher= U.S. Department of Defense|accessdate=2007-08-22|date=2006-11-13] [cite web|url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/11/15/news/story12.html|title=Schofield GI died saving pals|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|first=Gregg K.|last=Kakesako|accessdate=2007-08-22]
*Lonnie Ford, football c/o 1997
*Monique Henderson, track and field c/o 2001, 4x400m Relay gold medalist in 2004 Olympics in Athens [cite web|url=http://www.usoc.org/26_22052.htm|title=United States Olympic Committee - Henderson, Monique|publisher=United States Olympic Committee|accessdate=2007-08-23]
*Sam Horn, baseball c/o 1982 [cite web|url=http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/index.php?title=Sam_Horn&oldid=20272|title=SoSH Wiki|date=2006-09-21|accessdate=2007-08-22]
*Adam Jones, baseball c/o 2003 [cite web|url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=430945|title=The Official Site of The Seattle Mariners|publisher=MLB|accessdate=2007-08-22]
*Lincoln Kennedy, football, c/o 1988
*Cliff Levingston, basketball, c/o 1979 [cite web|url=http://www.sdhoc.com/main/awards/breitbardhof/hofnominees/|title=San Diego Hall of Champions Breitbard Hall of Fame Nominees|accessdate=2007-10-02]
*Charles Lewis, councilperson c/o 1984 [cite web|title=City Councilman Lewis dead at age 37|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20040808-1758-councilmandies.html|publisher=SignOnSanDiego|accessdate=2007-08-23] [cite web|url=http://www.uniontribune.org/uniontrib/20060320/news_1m20cowan.html|title=After his acquittal, 'a whole new life'|publisher=Union-Tribune|first=Kelly|last=Thornton|accessdate=2007-08-23] [cite web|url=http://www.10news.com/news/3652065/detail.html|title=Thousands Gather For Councilman's Funeral|publisher=10News.com|accessdate=2007-08-23] [cite web|url=http://www.charlesllewis3.org/About_Charles.html|title=About Charles L Lewis Foundation|publisher=The Charles L. Lewis III Foundation|accessdate=2007-08-24]
*Mark McLemore, baseball c/o 1982cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/high-schools/morse-987.shtml|title=The Baseball Cube|accessdate=2007-08-22] cite web|url=http://www.alibris.com/search/detail.cfm?S=R&bid=9193497075&cm_mmc=shopcompare-_-base-_-nonisbn-_-na|title=Samuel F.B. Morse High School Yearbook 1982-San Diego California|accessdate=2007-08-22]
*Marine Sergeant Rafael Peralta, casualty Iraq War c/o 1997 [cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041121/news_1m21peralta.html|title=Another tragedy for grieving family|first=Caitlin|last=Rother|publisher=Union-Tribune|accessdate=2007-08-22]
*Arnie Robinson, long jump gold medalist in 1976 Olympics in Montreal and bronze medalist in 1972 Olympics in Munich [cite web|url=http://chapters.sdsu.edu/aaac/Crimson_and_Black.pdf|title=The Black in Crimson and Black: A History and Profiles of African Americans at SDSU|first=Robert|last=Fikes, Jr.|accessdate=2007-08-23]
*Marcus Smith, football c/o 2003
*Glenn Swanson, baseball c/o 2001 [cite web|url=http://ucirvinesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/archive/05-06-review.html|title=UC Irvine Baseball|publisher=UC Irvine|accessdate=2008-08-03] [cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/?pl_id=48029|title=Stats: Glenn Swanson|publisher=BaseballAmerica.com|accessdate=2008-08-03]
*Tony Young, councilperson c/o 1985 [cite web|url=http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd4/about/index.shtml|title=About Tony Young|accessdate=2007-08-22]

Notable faculty

*LaMar Griffin, Campus Security Officer and Stepfather of New Orleans Saints tailback and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20060110-9999-1s8reggie.html|title="Greatness suits him - Trophy hopeful Bush from humble beginnings, tries to stay that way"|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=2005-12-08|accessdate=2007-10-05]
*Dr. Patricia Oyeshiku, English Teacher (retired), 1981 California State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalistcite web|url=http://www.ccsso.org/projects/National_Teacher_of_the_Year/State_Teachers/1981/|title=1981 State Teachers of the Year last update: 08/28/2007|accessdate=2007-09-27]
*John Shacklett, Hall of Fame Football Coach who led Morse to 18 league championshipscite web|url=http://www.kusi.com/ppr/meetthepigs/3515651.html|title=KUSI Prep Pigskin Report Staff Biography|accessdate=2007-09-27]

References

External links

* [http://www.morsehs.com School website]