Santa Maria High School

Santa Maria High School is one of the 4 primary high schools in the city of Santa Maria, California, the United States. Located in the heart of the city, Santa Maria High School is the oldest school in the Santa Maria Valley and is part of the oldest high school district in California. The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District was founded on June 6, 1893. Built originally on the corner of broadway and Morrison in 1892, the original school house sat on what is now the Ethel Pope Auditorium. In 1920 the present day school was built. The administration building and Ethel Pope Auditorium connected and featured a bell tower. But due to strict earthquake codes enforced after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, parts of the school was codemned and demolished. The only original structures that remain are the Administration offices, the Auditorium, and the Choir, Science, Journalism, and English hall. In 1996 Santa Maria High was recognized as a California Distiguished School.

Santa Maria High School's mascot is Sammy, the Saint. For many years the Santa Maria High School football team won many championships. However since 1979 Santa Maria High has yet to win any football state championships.

Santa Maria High School's drama department is a start for most locals who want to pursue an acting career. Usually students who enroll in drama end up taking drama at Allan Hancock College where some make it to Hollywood.

Santa Maria High School's Music program had it's funding cut in the 1980s and by the early 1990s it was practically non existent. VH1's Save the Music program helped to raise awareness of the importance of music in school. In 1996 Robert Childs was assigned the task of starting up the choir. And in 1997 Donna Phillips (a teacher from Saugus High School in Santa Clarita) took over as choir director. Since then Santa Maria High School has improved it's music program and currently competes with other schools in the southern california region.

In 1990 an armed gunman entered the campus and tried to take a class hostage. The students immediately beat and apprehended the assailant.

Near riots have broken out due to gang hostility among the students. In one incident the Santa Maria Police Department had to come in and control the situation. One student, who was working at Taco bell at the time, sought revenge for the police involment. So he poisoned a California Highway Patrol Officer's food. This student was only sentenced to one year. In 2007 Santa Maria High school became a closed campus (meaning students were not allowed outside of school grounds for lunch.)

Santa Maria High School has had many notable people attend over the years, including Professional Sports players and several people in the entertainment industry.

Notable long time teachers include Bill Yanez, Judy Dunn, John Jimenez, Coach Castillo and Raymond Flores the Janitor.

Santa Maria High School has remodeled and added on sections in recent years including a new Library, health center and cafeteria. A local organization is trying to raise money and restore the school to it's original architecture. By starting S.A.V.E. program, they hope to renovate the auditorium to meet modern day standards and to rebuild the demolished section and restore the bell tower. So far the auditorium and admin offices have undergone upgrades.