California High School (San Ramon, California)

Public school in San Ramon, California, United States

California High School

Location

9870 Broadmoor Drive

San Ramon

California

94582

United States

Coordinates| 37°44′48″N 121°56′46″W﻿ / ﻿37.74667°N 121.94611°W﻿ / 37.74667; -121.94611[1]
Information
Type| Public
Established| 1973
CEEB code| 053229
Principal| Demetrius Ball
Teaching staff| 111.75 FTEs[3]
Enrollment| 2,869 (2023–2024)[2]
Student to teacher ratio| 25.67[3]
Color(s)| Black and orange
Athletics conference| East Bay Athletic League
Nickname| Cal, Cal High, The Grizzlies
Team name| The Fighting Grizzlies
Newspaper| The Californian
Website| www.calhigh.net

California High School (commonly referred to as Cal High) is one of two public high schools located in San Ramon, California, United States (Dougherty Valley High School is the other). It is one of four high schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and serves students from the western portion of San Ramon and the unincorporated area of Norris Canyon. Its mascot is the grizzly bear.

As of the 2014–15 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,639 students and 107.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 24.5:1. There were 78 students (3.0% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 39 (1.5% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[3]

Cal High's athletic rivals are Monte Vista High School and San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, and De La Salle High School in Concord, California.

## Campus

[edit]

Cal has an all-weather track and an aquatic center, including a multi-use athletic stadium and fields (football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field). Outside, there are six tennis courts, four baseball/softball fields including one baseball field and one softball field intended for games, and an indoor gym and stadium. In 2004, a two-story, ten-classroom building was completed and was designated the World Language building. In 2006, the school added a new main building (67 classrooms on 3 stories) and a new library. In 2007, the school completed a new careers and technology building, student quad, and counseling building. In 2008, the new fine arts building was completed. In March 2010, a second gymnasium was completed on the site of outdoor basketball courts, called the Event Center. In April 2010, a new theater, which was under renovation for three years, opened. It has nine classrooms and is fully fitted with a video production studio and sound room, and an art gallery to display student work. Cal high has a large student and faculty parking area, though demand exceeds available space.[4] In light of this, many of the streets around the school are permit parking zones. Cal High also has a recently renovated weight room, equipped with lifting machines and 12 fully stocked Olympic weightlifting cages used mainly by the football team and weightlifting class. Twelve years of construction were concluded with the installation of SunPower solar panels over the back parking lot in the summer of 2011.

## Schedule

[edit]

Unlike other schools in the district, Cal High operates on a block schedule. Classes are 95 minutes long from Monday through Friday. The base schedule consists of six 95-minute periods; students have three classes per school day. Odd-numbered classes are on one day and even numbered classes the next. Some students opt to add an extra 60-minute "B-period" class to their schedule. B-period classes meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for 60 minutes from 2:40-3:40 pm.[5] Students have a designated "tutorial" period after their first period of the day and lasts for 30 minutes. During this time period, they can read, study, collaborate on work, or get help from teachers. There is no tutorial on Wednesday, hence the day is shorter ending at 2:05 pm.

## Awards and recognition

[edit]

During the 2006–07 school year, California High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education,[6] the highest award an American school can receive.[7][8]

Cal High's student-run monthly newspaper is The Californian. The first school newspaper, The Bear Facts, was started in 1973.

California High School was ranked No. 250 in the top 500 US high schools by Newsweek in 2011,[9] placing it within the top 1.5% of the over 18,000 high schools in the United States.[10] In 2005, Cal High was a California Distinguished School.[11]

In 2020, the California High School National History Bowl Team won 2nd place. They subsequently won 4th place in 2021.[12]

In 2024, the California High School Men's Tennis Team, led by team captains Kartik Pandian, Jerry Xu, Vishesh Verma, and Ritvik Uprety and coached by Manny Vasquez and Ron Jow, won the CIF Northern California State Championship, becoming the best high school tennis team in Northern California.[13]

California High School Theatre is the performing arts program and venue at California High School in San Ramon, California. Located in the Fine Arts Building, it includes a renovated theater and supports classes, student productions, and community events.

\== Facilities == The theater reopened in April 2010 after a three-year renovation. It includes a proscenium stage, up-to-date lighting and sound systems, backstage dressing rooms, a scene shop, an art gallery, and a video production studio.[14]

\== Drama Classes == The program offers several levels of coursework:

* Beginning Theatre Arts
* Intermediate Theatre Arts
* Advanced/Production Theatre
* Technical Theatre & Stagecraft[15]

\== Student & Community Programs ==

* Cal High Drama Club meets bi-weekly and participates in the International Thespian Society.[16]
* Cal High Drama Boosters support performances and school events.[17]
* The theater hosts an annual season of productions and occasional guest or community events.[18]

\== Career & Technical Education Pathways == California High School offers multiple College & Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, structured to prepare students for postsecondary education and workforce readiness.[19]

\=== Biomedical Sciences Pathway === Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum includes:

* Principles of Biomedical Science
* Human Body Systems
* Medical Interventions [20]

\=== Engineering & Design Pathway === PLTW Engineering courses:

* Introduction to Engineering Design
* Principles of Engineering
* Computer Integrated Manufacturing
* Civil Engineering & Architecture [21]

\=== Computer Science Pathway === This pathway includes:

* AP Computer Science Principles
* AP Computer Science A [22]

\=== Sports Medicine Pathway === Sequence includes:

* Sports Medicine
* Advanced Sports Medicine [23]

\=== Culinary Arts Pathway === Courses offered:

* Culinary Arts I
* International Cuisine [24]

\=== Education & Careers in Teaching Pathway === Includes:

* Careers in Teaching I
* Careers in Teaching II [25]

\=== Performing Arts Production Pathway === Course:

* Play Production (ROP)[26]

\=== Media Arts & Graphic Design Pathway === Includes:

* Digital Photography
* Computer Graphic Arts I & II [27]

\== Past Productions (2013–2025) == This list is adapted from Cal High Drama's publicly posted archives:[18]

* Spring 2013 – 40th Anniversary
* Autumn 2014 – Menu Mayhem
* Winter 2015 – Multiplex
* Spring 2015 – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
* Autumn 2015 – Killing Me Softly
* Winter 2016 – Long Day’s Journey into Night
* Spring 2016 – Romeo and Juliet
* Autumn 2016 – Family (dys)Function
* Winter 2017 – Baby with the Bathwater
* Spring 2017 – Working – A Musical
* Winter 2018 – Be Aggressive
* Spring 2018 – The Great Gatsby
* Autumn 2018 – Hallowscenes
* Winter 2019 – Big Love
* Spring 2019 – Kaleidoscope
* Autumn 2019 – Almost, Maine
* Winter 2020 – The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
* Autumn 2020 – Help Desk
* Winter 2021 – Hamlet
* Spring 2021 – We Will Rock You
* Autumn 2021 – Student-Directed One-Act Festival
* Winter 2022 – Dear Editor
* Spring 2022 – Clue
* Autumn 2022 – Student-Directed One-Act Festival
* Winter 2023 – The Cassettes of San Francisco
* Spring 2023 – Chicago
* Autumn 2023 – Macbeth
* Winter 2024 – Remedies for a Broken Heart
* Spring 2024 – The Play That Goes Wrong
* Autumn 2024 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
* Winter 2025 – Women of Troy / Little Women
* Spring 2025 – The SpongeBob Musical[28]

\== Notable Productions ==

* The SpongeBob Musical (Spring 2025) drew outstanding attendance and student praise.[29]

\== Community Partnerships == The theater occasionally hosts guest performances and is involved in local festivals, such as the San Ramon Community Performing Arts Festival.[30]

\== External Links ==

* \[1](https://www.chsdrama.org/) Past Productions – Cal High Drama]
* \[2](https://www.chsdrama.org/classes) Classes – Cal High Drama]
* \[3](https://chs.srvusd.net/Academics/CTE/index.html) CTE Pathways at Cal High – SRVUSD site]

## Notable people

[edit]

### Alumni

[edit]

* David Bingham (2008) – Major League Soccer player for Charlotte FC.[31]
* Colby Buzzell (1995) – Author of multiple books and well-distributed magazine articles[32]
* Chuck Cary (1978) Professional baseball player[33]
* David Klech (2006) American track and field athlete[34]
* Sandy LaBeaux (1978) – professional football player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Gamblers[35]
* Chris Verhulst (1984) – NFL Professional Football Player Houston Oilers (1988–1989), Denver Broncos (1990)[36]
* Andrew Wiedeman (2007) – Former professional soccer player[37]
* Ryan Wright (2018) – NFL Professional Football player, punter[38]

### Faculty

[edit]

* Tony Sanchez – Head football coach from 2004 to 2008. Went on to coach the Bishop Gorman High School (Nevada) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas football programs. Sanchez turned around California High "from doormat status to a berth in the North Coast Section finals," according to ESPN.[39]
* Will Mark (lacrosse) – Former NCAA Division I goalie at LIU and Syracuse; two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year, USILA and Inside Lacrosse All-America honoree. He now coaches JV and varsity lacrosse at California High School.[40][41]
* Chase Jolie (lacrosse) – Former college lacrosse midfielder at Ithaca College and Monte Vista HS captain (Class of 2017); currently serves as an assistant offensive coordinator for Cal High's lacrosse team.[42]
* Griffin Cook (lacrosse) – Syracuse University attacker and 2023 team co-captain. He now coaches offensive strategy and player development at Cal High.[43]
* Scott Herrington (lacrosse) – Former standout attackman from Cal High and Cal Poly MCLA.[44]

## Gallery

[edit]

* Memorial sign

* The science building (pre-2008/09 renovation)

* The foreign language building

* The library and main building

## References

[edit]

1. ^ United States Geological Survey (November 9, 1995). "GNIS Detail - California High School". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
2. ^ "California High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
3. ^ a b c School data for California High, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
4. ^ http://www.chs.srvusd.k12.ca.us/CHSHOMEPAGE/facilities.html Archived October 4, 2006, at the Wayback Machine — California High School website: "Facilities"
5. ^ California High School Official Site
6. ^ U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 through 2006 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Retrieved May 11, 2006.
7. ^ CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department Archived August 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
8. ^ Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005. "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
9. ^ "Newsweek rankings of the top US high schools". Newsweek. June 19, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
10. ^ "High Schools in the U.S." (PDF). National High School Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
11. ^ "Message From Principal". Archived from the original on September 22, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
12. ^ Marshall. "2020-2021 Bowl Results". National History Bee & Bowl - High School Division. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
13. ^ "CIF" (PDF). CIF. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
14. ^ "California High Opens New Arts Building". San Ramon Patch. April 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
15. ^ "Classes – Cal High Drama". CHSDrama.org. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
16. ^ "About – Cal High Drama Club". CHSDrama.org. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
17. ^ "Cal High Drama Boosters". CHSDrama.org. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
18. ^ a b "Past Productions – Cal High Drama". CHSDrama.org. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
19. ^ "California High CTE Pathways". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
20. ^ "Biomedical Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
21. ^ "Engineering Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
22. ^ "Computer Science Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
23. ^ "Sports Medicine Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
24. ^ "Culinary Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
25. ^ "Teaching Careers Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
26. ^ "Performing Arts Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
27. ^ "Media Arts Pathway". California High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
28. ^ "Spring 2025 – The SpongeBob Musical". CHSDrama.org. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
29. ^ "Spring 2025 – The SpongeBob Musical". CHSDrama.org. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
30. ^ "San Ramon Community Performing Arts Festival". San Ramon Performing Arts. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
31. ^ "Earthquakes' David Bingham in hunt for perfection". The Mercury News. February 19, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
32. ^ Nevius, C.W. (September 13, 2005). "'My War' -- a soldier's wild ride". SFGate. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
33. ^ "California High School - Hall of Fame". chs.srvusd.net. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
34. ^ "Klech in pursuit of 'a fresh start' / Ex-prep star leaving UCLA". SFGate. June 16, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
35. ^ "Houston-Gamblers.com".
36. ^ "2002 Hall of Fame Inductees". Chico State Athletics. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
37. ^ Eiges, Brandon (February 5, 2010). "Alumnus turns pro in soccer". The Californian. p. A1.
38. ^ Smith, Guerry (November 5, 2021). "Spectacular specialist: Tulane punter Ryan Wright having tremendous senior season". NOLA.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
39. ^ Sherman, Mitch (October 4, 2013). "Sanchez sets bar at Bishop Gorman". ESPN. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
40. ^ "Will Mark - Men's Lacrosse". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
41. ^ "Mark Named Inside Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American". Long Island University. May 16, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
42. ^ "Chase Jolie - Men's Lacrosse". Ithaca College Athletics. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
43. ^ "Griffin Cook - Men's Lacrosse". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
44. ^ "Scott Herrington | 2011 Cal Poly Mustangs". MCLA. Retrieved June 8, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

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