| Santa Monica High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Samohi entrance gate on Michigan Avenue | |
| Location | |
 | |
601 Pico Boulevard , 90405 United States | |
| Coordinates | 34°00′42″N118°29′06″W / 34.0116°N 118.4850°W /34.0116; -118.4850 |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Sincerity, Maturity, Honor and Service |
| Established | 1891; 134 years ago (1891)[1] |
| NCES District ID | 063570006102[2] |
| Principal | Mrs. Marae Cruce |
| Staff | 135.06 (on anFTE basis)[2] |
| Enrollment | 2,573 (2023–2024)[2] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 19.05[2] |
| Color(s) | Blue and gold |
| Mascot | Viking |
| Website | smmusd.org/samohi |
Santa Monica High School, officially abbreviated toSamohi orSMHS, is a public high school inSanta Monica, California. Founded in 1891,[1] it changed location several times in its early years before settling into its present campus at 601 Pico Boulevard. It is a part of theSanta Monica–Malibu Unified School District.
As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had 2,806 students and 131.11 teachers of a full-time employee basis for a teacher-student ratio of 21.08, according to data by theNational Center for Education Statistics.
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In 1891, the Union High School Law was passed in Santa Monica, thereby establishing a four-year high school for the city. The first graduating class graduated in 1894.[1]
The new campus opened in 1912 with one building, the current History Building, with an enrollment of 50 students. The school sits on the hilltop between 4th and 7th streets and Pico and Olympic Blvds., from which one can see the Pacific Ocean. Ten years later the campus was expanded with construction of the English building.
In 1921, the Open Air Memorial Theater, now called the Greek Amphitheatre, was built to honor the Santa Monicans who served inWorld War I. One of the best examples of the classical Greek style inSouthern California, the amphitheater was built after Santa Monica passed a $30,000 bond measure to fund its construction.[3] Barnum Hall Theater, originally called the Auditorium, was built in 1937 by theWorks Progress Administration (WPA) to be the Civic Auditorium of Santa Monica and host school events. The campus added six buildings during this period: the Language, English, Business, History, Administration, and Music Buildings.
In 1952, Santa Monica High School was finally expanded to what it is now, 33 acres (130,000 m2), and two new buildings were built, the Science and Technology D.M. Buildings. As the school aged, renovations took place in Barnum Hall and the Music Building was completely rebuilt.
The Innovation Building was constructed along with an outdoor gathering space called the Centennial Plaza and was ready by the start of the 2015–16 school year.[4]
The Discovery Building, including a new pool and cafeteria, was constructed and ready by the start of the 2021–22 school year.[5]
The History Building was demolished in the summer of 2021[6] and its replacement, the Exploration Building, was constructed and ready by the start of the 2024–25 school year.[7]
The South Gym was demolished in 2024 and its replacement, the Gold Gym, opened the same year, a few months after the Exploration Building.
In 2003, Samohi adopted a house system; similar to college house systems; each student is part of a house.[8] There are four houses:S,A,M, andO. Upon enrollment at Santa Monica High School, students are randomly assigned to a house unless the student has already had a sibling at Samohi. In that case, the student has the option to join the house their sibling is in, or to join a new one. TheS House office is stationed in the English Building, theA house office is stationed in the Innovation Building, and theM and O house offices are both stationed in the Discovery Building. A principal oversees each of the houses, along with two counselors and an office assistant.
The school also has an academic team which won the 2008National Science Bowl competition[9] as well as the 2017National Ocean Sciences Bowl.[10] Additionally, thequiz bowl team remains competitive in the Southern California circuit.[11]
In 2005, Symphony Orchestra was labeled the best high school-level orchestra in the nation by theAmerican String Teachers Association (ASTA) at the National Orchestra Festival inReno, Nevada.[12] The orchestra program is made up of many different ensembles, ranging from the smaller Beginning Strings / String Orchestra to the large Symphony Orchestra. Many of the orchestras from Santa Monica High School have had the chance to travel around the nation and the world. In February 2006, Symphony Orchestra became the first public high school orchestra to perform in theWalt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles.[13]
The Santa Monica High School Viking Marching Band is one of the oldest high school marching bands in the state of California. The marching band performs for home football games and for many school and community events. The band enjoys a long history of competing in parades and field shows, most notably participating in shows sponsored by theSCSBOA (Southern California Student Band and Orchestra Association). In 2006, the marching band qualified for the first time in the SCSBOA 5A division championship.[14]
Samohi currently offers five concert bands, with the Wind Ensemble recognized as one of the most exceptionally talented high school bands in California. The Wind Ensemble performed atCarnegie Hall in 2007 and 2015, as well as Chicago Symphony Hall in 2013.[15] In 2016, the Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the California All-State Music Educator's Conference (CASMEC) in San Jose. All ensembles regularly perform in festivals, conferences, and invitational concerts. The program enrolls over 300 students.[16]
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Girls Varsity team won the 2010 CIF Southern Division 1 championship, defeating Summit High, 69–63. It was the first girls basketball title for SAMOHI; they went on to the Fourth Round of State and lost by two.
Boys Varsity won the 2013 CIF Division 1A Southern Section Championship against El Toro High School 66–56 at the Anaheim Convention Center. They entered the Division 1 State Championship as a #1 seed, losing in the championship game, 73–57, to Pleasant Grove.[17][18] They also made it to the finals of the 2010 CIF Southern Division 1 Championship, but they were defeated at the Honda Center against Luezinger, and they went on to lose in second round of state.
The cross country team informally known as the "XC team" is composed of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. As of 2019, the Cross-country team competes in division 1 of CIF.[19]
The wrestling team won the CIF State Championship in 1986. Also won the CIF State Championship in 152 lb (69 kg) weight class in 2007. For the past 7 years, the team has qualified individuals for the Southern Section CIF Masters and CIF State Championships.[20]
The lady Vikings have been undefeated in league games since 2004. In 2010 and 2014 the lady Vikings won CIF division IV southern section.[21]
Samohi'scolor guard andwinter guard team performs in shows sponsored byWinter Guard International and Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC). Originally a jointdrill team withSanta Monica College named the "Coronettes", the team utilizes both wooden guns and flags in their routines that are featured during halftime of every home football game. Additionally, after three years of membership, each participant receives avarsity letter. The team won gold medals in the WGASC championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016.[22]
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