Pacifica High School (Oxnard, California) Explained

Pacifica High School
Motto:It's good to be a Triton!
Established:August 28, 2001
Principal:Chris Ramirez
Teaching Staff:125.60 (FTE)
Enrollment:3,051[1] (2019–20)
Ratio:24.67
Accreditation:WASC[2]
Mascot:King Triton
Colors: Black, Green and White
Streetaddress:600 East Gonzales Road
Zipcode:93036
Coordinates:34.2184°N -119.1703°W
Country:United States
Picture Caption:Media center

Pacifica High School (PHS) is a public high school in Oxnard, California. The school is part of the Oxnard Union High School District and serves students in northeast and downtown Oxnard.

History

In 1996, Oxnard Union High School District voters approved a $57 million school bond measure to finance construction of a new high school and improvements to existing campuses. Initially the Board of Trustees chose to name the campus Pacifico High School, shortened from Mar Pacifico (pacífico is Spanish for "peaceful").[3] Concerns soon arose that the new school shared its name with a brand of Mexican beer, so in 1999 the school board renamed the campus to Pacifica High School. The 50acres campus was designed to accommodate up to 2,250 students, but by the 2018–19 school year the student population exceeded 3,000.[4] Their current principal is Chris Ramirez.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 3,153 students enrolled for 2017–18 was:

75.7% of the students were eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. During the school year, Pacifica was a Title I institution.[5]

Academics

Pacifica High School's Culinary Arts Academy prepares students for careers in the food and beverage industry and further education in culinary arts. Students enter national culinary and hospitality competitions including FCCLA. Graduating seniors in the program conclude their studies at PHS by creating a four-course menu for their graduation dinner.[6]

Athletics

Pacifica High School athletic teams are nicknamed the Tritons. The school is a member of the CIF Southern Section and competes in the Pacific View League.

The Pacifica football team won its first California state football championship in 2019, defeating McClymonds High School of Oakland 34–6 in the CIF-State Division 2-A bowl game. It is the first-ever state championship for a public school football program in Ventura County (private schools St. Bonaventure and Grace Brethren previously won state titles).[7] En route to the state bowl, the Tritons also captured a CIF-SS championship.[8]

Notable alumni

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Pacifica High . nces.ed.gov . US Dept. of Education . 2021-09-02 . EN .
  2. Web site: Directory of Schools - Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges . acswasc.org . 2015-11-02 .
  3. Web site: About Us - Pacifica High School . 2022-04-27 . www.pacificahigh.us . en-US.
  4. News: Oxnard Union has sights on state school bonds but timing might be off . Wendy . Leung . Ventura County Star . Gannett Co., Inc. . 2019-01-22 . 2019-01-23 . limited .
  5. Web site: Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Pacifica High . nces.ed.gov . US Dept. of Education . 2021-09-02 . EN .
  6. News: Cafe Society: Pomp, circumstance and gazpacho on menu for some Pacifica High School grads . Ventura County Star . 2013-06-08 . 2021-02-03 . limited .
  7. News: Public power: Pacifica High football team makes history with state championship . Curley . Joe . Ventura County Star . 2019-12-14 . 2021-02-03 . limited .
  8. News: Pacifica grabs 'legendary' opportunity to deliver CIF football championship to Oxnard . Curley . Joe . Ventura County Star . 2019-12-01 . 2021-02-27 . limited .
  9. News: Judge excludes public from boxer Victor Ortiz's preliminary hearing over rape allegations . Diskin . Megan . Ventura County Star . en . 2020-03-26 . limited .
  10. News: Pacifica's strength too good . Curley . Joe . Ventura County Star . en . 2020-03-26 . limited .