Will C. Crawford High School

Will C. Crawford High School, also known as Crawford High School and formerly Crawford Educational Complex, is a high school located in the El Cerrito neighborhood of San Diego, California. In the fall of 2012, the school was returned to a traditional school with one principal and two vice-principals and returned to its original name Will C. Crawford High School.

It is part of the San Diego Unified School District. Erected in 1957 and dedicated in 1958, it is a comprehensive school serving 1,500 students in grades 9–12.

History

Naming

The school was named after Dr. Will C. Crawford, Superintendent of the San Diego Unified Schools from 1934 to 1954.^[1] and was officially opened during a dedication ceremony on April 27, 1958.

Decision on School Mascot and Colors

In 1957, the incoming Horace Mann Junior High School graduating 9th Grade class and transfer students from Hoover High School formed the 10th and 11th grade class (at the time, the school was 10th thru 12th grade). there was no 12th grade the first year. The entire student body of Crawford High School decided on the school colors and mascot. There was a vote between crimson, white and blue or black and teal but crimson, white and blue had won. The mascot was decided on Dr.Crawford's other major career, an Air Force Pilot, they voted the mascot as being some kind of aircraft or bird but to keep rivalry with Hoover High School (whose mascot was the Cardinal), and because the yearbook was named Centaur, it was decided that the mascot will be a Colt. The alma mater was later written and the Pacer newspaper was founded.

Crawford Educational Complex

Crawford High School reopened in 2004 as the Crawford Educational Complex through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It consisted of four schools within a school: The School of Law and Business (LAB), Multimedia and Visual Arts School (MVAS), Invention and Design Educational Academy (IDEA) and the School of Community Health and Medical Practices (CHAMPs). The small schools were closed due to district budget cuts, and the school returned to a comprehensive campus in Fall 2012.

The 50th anniversary

In the 2007/2008 school year, Crawford celebrated its 50th anniversary, alumni from various classes visited the school, the 50th edition of the Centaur Yearbook was dedicated to the alumni and the graduating class of 2008, which was the first Crawford class to graduate while spending all four years in a small school. The campus was repainted blue and crimson by the end of the school year.

The Automotive department was reopened and rededicated by State superintendent of instruction Jack O'Connell. The automotive department achieved NATEF certification on the one year anniversary of its opening. (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation)

2010s

The school established a "restorative justice" program in 2014.^[2]

Feeder schools

Public feeder schools include two middle schools and eight elementary schools.

Middle schools:

• Horace Mann Middle School
• Monroe Clark Middle School

Elementary schools:

• Carver Elementary School
• Euclid Elementary School
• Henry Clay Elementary School
• Herbert Ibarra Elementary School
• John Marshall Elementary School
• Mary Lanyon Fay Elementary School
• Oak Park Elementary School
• Rolando Park Elementary School

Curriculum

Crawford High consists of a 4x4 block schedule, which means that students are able to complete four full classes a semester (fall term and spring term) totaling eight full classes a year, rather than the traditional six year-long courses. This enables students to complete a full year’s curriculum in a more condensed term, allowing them to enroll in additional electives or ROP courses.

Community service requirements

All students are required to complete 20 to 40 hours of community service a year. Several opportunities for community service are available through on or off campus organizations, or students may complete this requirement independently. On campus organizations include Division 11 Key Club, a community service organization on the campus, which recently returned to Crawford during the 2010–2011 school year, Peer Helping, the largest and most active service organization started by teacher Julie Reinhardt in the early 1990s, and Auroras, a senior honor society (students must have a GPA over 3.0) specializing in service that has been on campus since the 1960s. Crawford boasts its own garden, and internships are available to current students. Off campus organizations include the San Diego Asian Youth Organization and the East African Youth Organization, both based at the UPAC center. Community service requirements were put forth in an effort to boost college acceptances.

Centaur

Centaur is Crawford's award-winning, nationally recognized yearbook. It consistently takes best of class and places within the top 2 at the San Diego County Fair and other contests. A Centaur is a Greek mythological creature that is half human and half horse.

San Diego County Fair Awards

Annual events

Crawford hosts many traditional annual events.

Welcome Back Dance

Hosted at the beginning of the school year, each year a new theme is chosen.

Club Rush

An event held in the main quad every October to help encourage students to join school clubs to get involved. Club booths are set up around the quad.

Spirit Week

A tradition that is held week-long during mid-October. It holds over several events, the Homecoming Game, Homecoming Dance, School Spirit days throughout the week, and multiple rallies.

Harvest Festival

A festival held on the Thursday one week from Thanksgiving Day. The school clubs participate by selling food at booths. Music and dance are performed in the main quad.

Love Festival

Similar to the Harvest Festival, it celebrates Valentines Day instead of Thanksgiving.

Talent Show

A show held in December and April to showcase student's talents.

End-of-Term Dodgeball Game

A dodgeball tournament between freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Finalist take on the school staff. Held at the end of every semester.

International Affair

In celebration of Crawfords vast diversity, the event is held every May on the baseball field to remind students about their ethnic background and cultural spirit. Food booths, music and dance are added to this event as well.

Senior Basketball Game

The Seniors take on the teachers in basketball game held a couple of days before graduation.

Senior Barbeque

A barbeque dedicated to the seniors. Yearbook signing party is held the same day.

Class colors

Freshmen (Class of 2018) –      Purple

Sophomores (Class of 2017) –      Red

Juniors – (Class of 2016)-      Blue

Seniors – (Class of 2015)-      White

School Colors: Crimson, White, Blue

Student clubs

Sports

Crawford's main rival are the neighboring Hoover Cardinals located just westbound on El Cajon Boulevard. Other significant rivals include the Patrick Henry Patriots, Lincoln Hornets and Helix Scotties.

List of CIF Championships

^[3]

Notable alumni

• Carlos Amezcua, TV news anchor
• Stephen Bishop, singer, songwriter
• Tim Blackwell, Former professional baseball player (Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs)
• Dave Duncan, Major League Baseball player (Kansas City Athletics, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles)
• Dave Engle, Former professional baseball player (Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, Milwaukee Brewers)
• William Gore, Sheriff of San Diego County
• Ed Herrmann, Former professional baseball player (Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, California Angels, Houston Astros, Montreal Expos)
• Jim Nettles, Former professional baseball player (Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics)
• Sandi Patty, Classical Singer, lyric coloratura soprano
• Chuck Rainey, Former professional baseball player (Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics)
• Jim Peterson, Professional player, National Football League
• Phyllis Schwartz, Vice President of NBC Universal TV
• Mike Stamm, Olympic Swimmer/silver medalist
• Dick Woodson, Former professional baseball player (Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees)
• Valerie Ziegenfuss, Top-ranked WTA tennis player

Malcolm Thomas

• Bob Boone, former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who was a four-time All-Star^[4]
• Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, former Bishop of Oakland
• Sherri Lightner, San Diego City council member
• Kathy Najimy, Actress
• Kadir Nelson, Artist, author, and illustrator
• Malcolm Thomas, American professional basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv^[5]
• Joan Embery, Wildlife and Environment Preservationist

Alma mater

The Alma Mater as seen on the wall of CIF Championships.

All hail Crawford High School,
Crimson, white and blue,
Loyalty and honor
We will pledge to you,
Our banner's always waving,
Crowned with victory,
All hail Crawford High School,
We will be true to thee!

See also

• List of high schools in San Diego County, California
• List of high schools in California
• Crawford Educational Complex
• Primary and secondary schools in San Diego, California

References

External links

• Crawford Educational Complex – official website
  • Invention and Design Educational Academy – official website