Canyon Hills High School (San Diego)

Canyon Hills High School is a public high school situated in the community of Tierrasanta within the city of San Diego, California. Previously known as Junipero Serra High School, it was named for Junípero Serra, a Spanish missionary who founded Mission San Diego and other settlements in what is now California. It is nearly adjacent to Murphy Canyon, a large military housing community. It is a traditional school and part of the San Diego Unified School District. On March 9, 2021, the San Diego Unified School Board voted to change the name of the school to Canyon Hills High School.[2]

Canyon Hills High School
Address
5156 Santo Rd.
San Diego, California 92124
Coordinates32°49′33″N 117°6′20″W
Information
TypePublic school
Established1976
PrincipalErica Renfree
Enrollment1,392 (2019–20)[1]
Color(s)Red & Black    
MascotRattlers
Websiteserra.sandiegounified.org

In June 2020, a petition was circulated to change the namesake of the school because of Serra's association with the mission system and the cultural assimilation of Native Americans. On March 9, 2021, the school name and Conquistador mascot were formally changed.[3]

Athletics programs

In the 1999-2000 season the Boys Varsity Basketball won their first Section 2 Championship in school history and their third straight Eastern League Title.In the 2011-2012 season, the girls Basketball team won San Diego CIF by defeating West Hills High School. Varsity Girls Soccer also won a CIF Div. 2 Championship in 2013. The Serra Football program also has won 5 total league championships, in . 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2013. As of 2014, they are in the City League.[4]

School activities and clubs
  • AP Club
  • Art Club
  • ARC
  • ASB
  • AVID Club
  • Ceramic Club
  • Cheer Club
  • Club Elevate
  • CSF
  • Drama Club
  • Green Garden Club
  • GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) Club
  • The Office Club
  • Hiking Club
  • Key Club
  • Link Crew
  • NJROTC (Armed/Unarmed Exhibition)
  • Serrandipity (journalism)
  • La Mision (yearbook)
  • Q News
  • Jedi Club
  • Multicultural Club
  • Photography Club
  • Common Ground (Bible Club)
  • Serra Skaters
  • Serra Vape Team
  • Demendonca Fan Club
  • Young Entrepreneurs Club
  • MSMBT Club (middle school mentoring and bridging)

AP classes and testing

In 2017-2018 students at Serra took Advanced Placement (AP) exams in the following areas:

  • Biology
  • Calculus AB
  • Calculus BC
  • Chemistry
  • Economics: Micro
  • English Language & Composition
  • English Literature & Composition
  • Environmental Science
  • Government & Politics: U.S.
  • Physics 1
  • Physics C - Mechanics
  • Psychology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History

Mascot

The school mascot was Conrad the Conquistador. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, students started a petition to change the mascot from a conquistador, a symbol they said represented Spanish colonialism and its impact on the indigenous population. Principal Erica Renfree encouraged the change, and suggested also changing the school's name to Tierrasanta High School. Virtual town halls were scheduled to discuss the changes.[5] On March 9, 2021, the San Diego Unified School Board voted to change the name of the school to Canyon Hills High School, as well as the mascot to the Rattlers.[2][3]

Rivalry

Canyon Hills High School's rival is Patrick Henry High School.[6][7] The Field Hockey team, however, is most known for having a rivalry with Scripps Ranch High School which is located in the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego.[8]

References
  1. "Serra High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  2. Ojeda, Artie (March 9, 2021). "San Diego's Serra High Poised to Be Renamed 'Canyon Hills High School'". NBC 7 San Diego. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  3. Taketa, Kristen (2021-03-10). "San Diego Unified changes name of Junipero Serra High School, removes conquistador mascot". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  4. "Fall sports". Junipero Serra High School. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
  5. "Campaign to 'rebrand' Serra High School name, mascot". KGTV. June 26, 2020.
  6. McDonald, Jen (2015-02-20). "High school vandalized in apparent rivalry prank". FOX 5 San Diego. Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  7. Seitshiro, Leloba (2015-02-19). "Vandalism or Prank? District Investigates Graffiti at Serra High School". NBC 7 San Diego. Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  8. Maffei, John (2018-09-23). "Serra sets win record, earns field hockey title". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
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