Valhalla High School (California)

Located in Rancho San Diego, Valhalla High School is a public high school operated by the Grossmont Union High School District with an enrollment of 2,112 students.[4] The school is characterized by its school colors, orange and white,[5] going by the nickname Orange Nation. During its existence, the school has won the California Distinguished School Award in both 2001 and 2003, and is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.[5] The school is directed by a principal, Mary Beth Kastan, who has been the principal since 2008, and three assistant principals.[6] Several programs are available to students, including ASB, marching, jazz, and Orchestra bands, drama, colorguard, cheer, dance, and athletics such as football and Baseball, among other programs.[7]

Valhalla High School
Address
1725 Hillsdale Road

El Cajon
,
United States
,
California,
92019
Coordinates32°45′38.74″N 116°55′16.18″W
Information
School typePublic, High School
Established1974 (1974)
StatusOpen
School districtGrossmont Union High School District
NCES District ID0616230[1].
SuperintendentRalf Swenson
NCES School ID061623002028[2].
PrincipalMary Beth Kastan
Staff125
Teaching staff77.00 (FTE)[3]
Grades9-12
Age13 to 18
Enrollment2,099 (2018-19)[3]
Student to teacher ratio27.26[3]
Classes offeredComprehensive
LanguageAmerican English
Hours in school dayUp to 7h 35m
Classrooms85
Campus typeClosed
Color(s)   Orange and White with Navy trims
Athletics
AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges
NewspaperThe Saga
YearbookRagnarok
School feesNone
Communities servedRancho San Diego, Southern El Cajon
Feeder schoolsHillsdale Middle School
API201
Websitehttp://valhalla.guhsd.net
[4][5]

History

Upon opening in 1974, the school had a very different open campus atmosphere, with a college-like schedule. The school was centered around the main building, with open-air classrooms . Reflective of this, the original motto was "Freedom with Responsibility".

During the 1980s, the school transitioned to a more traditional open campus, although some unique architecture elements remain. [4]

Campus

Valhalla's main structure is a five-story octagonal building. Originally orange, the trim of the building was painted blue in 2009. Classrooms are situated along the outside wall and center of the building. The gymnasiums are freestanding.

Sports facilities include a football and soccer field, baseball diamonds, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, and two swimming pools.

A new, freestanding, two-story building that house 12 science classrooms is currently in use. They have state of the art science and laboratory equipment. The building was proposed in order to make more room for teachers. It was dedicated in May 2010.

Valhalla is one of few schools to have the own your own program which prepares students for life after high school. It is directed by Toni Myers GLBC

In 2015, The main building was closed for renovation and repair the inner structure. Temporary classrooms took their place for humanities & elective classes. As of The 2016-17 School year, students have returned to the main building for instruction and the temporary classrooms have been removed. The Building has been modernized and now has a "21st Century feel."

Traditions

Odin's March is the initiation for any new students or faculty members entering Valhalla High School. They must march up the stairs, through the rainbow bridge, and touch Thor's Hammer. When a student graduates, they descend the stairs and once again touch Thor's Hammer. This is also done for staff upon entry and exit from their tenure at Valhalla. On Fridays Valhalla students can wear orange to receive a free slice of pizza.

Each year the senior class paints a mural that is permanently displayed and hung up inside the school building. Each mural is unique to the year in which that particular class attended including current events not normally related to the school itself.

Notable alumni

Sports championships
  • 1978-79,1981,1985–86,1990–91,1994–96, 2000 — CIF Division Champions Men's Water Polo
  • 1986-1988, 1998-1999 — 3A Division III CIF Champs - Boys Soccer
  • 2009 — Division II Champions - Boys Soccer
  • 1987, 1993, 2004 — 3A/Division III CIF Champs - Girls Soccer
  • 2003, 2005 — CIF Champions Men's Swimming
  • 1984-87,1989–91,1993,1996,1998,2001 Division II CIF Champions, 2005 Division III CIF Champions - Boys Wrestling
  • 1985 — California State Champions - Wrestling
  • 2006 — Division III CIF Champs - Baseball
  • 2005 — CIF Champions - Volleyball
  • 1985-2001, 2008 — Men's Golf Champions
  • 2008 — Girls' Cross-Country CIF Division II champions
  • 2009 — Girls' Cross-Country CIF Division II champions
  • 2009 — Grossmont South League Champions-Football 1st and only title
  • 2010 — Girls' Cross-Country League champions; second place CIF Division II
  • 2010 — Grossmont Hills League Champions-Girls Waterpolo
  • 2011 — Girls' Cross-Country League Champions; third place CIF Division II
  • 2011 — Grossmont Hills League Champions-Girls Waterpolo - Undefeated
  • 2011 — CIF SDS Division II Champions - Girls Water Polo - First ever for an East County School
  • 2012 — Boys' and Girls' Cross-Country Hills League Champions
  • 2019 — Boys' Basketball Grossmont Valley League Champions

References
  1. "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Grossmont Union High". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved Mar 27, 2013.
  2. "Search for Public Schools - Valhalla High (061623002028)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved Mar 27, 2013.
  3. "Valhalla High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  4. "School Accountability Report Card (SARC)" (Portable Document Format). Grossmont Union High School District. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  5. "About Us". Grossmont Union High School District/Valhalla HS. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  6. "Administration". Grossmont Union High School District/Valhalla HS. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  7. "Home". Grossmont Union High School District/Valhalla HS. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  8. Jenkins, Chris (December 3, 2013). "San Diegan to head MLB players group". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  9. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0167086/
  10. "Brad Daluiso". The Pro Football Archives. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  11. Dolan, Steve (February 2, 1985). "At the Top of His World : Motocross Racing Has Made Broc Glover a Multimillionaire". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  12. Gehlken, Michael (May 10, 2011). "Teen diver breaks Louganis' 34-year-old record". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  13. Center, Bill (December 12, 2012). "Padres give Valhalla High grad O'Sullivan a shot". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  14. Sauer, Mark (February 18, 2007). "Filmmakers help students effect change". U-T San Diego. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  15. Sauer, Mark (January 31, 2005). "A far cry". Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  16. https://liquipedia.net/rocketleague/Sizz
  17. https://www.paperbackswap.com/Dan-Gookin/author/
  18. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/16385812
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