Fontana High School
| Fontana High School Steelers | |
|---|---|
 Steeler Pride | |
| Location | |
|
Fontana, California United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public school |
| Established | September 1952 |
| School district | Fontana Unified School District |
| Principal | Ofelia Hinojosa |
| Number of students | 3792[1] |
| Color(s) | Maroon and White |
| Athletics conference |
CIF Southern Section Sunkist League |
| Mascot | Steelers |
| Website | http://www.fusdweb.com/sites/hs/fohi/default.aspx |
Fontana High School (FOHI) is a secondary public school in Fontana, California in the Fontana Unified School District.[2] Fontana High serves grades 9 through 12.
Fontana High School is the "Home of Steeler Pride".[3] Students are provided opportunities for personal and group achievement in a safe environment designed to nurture personal, social and academic development. Fontana High School is committed to preparing students for their individual futures in the 21st century.[4]
History
A product of the Southern California post war boom, Fontana High (referred to locally as "FoHi") was completed in September 1952. The school was needed to serve the children of thousands of blue collar families from across the country who came to work at the Kaiser Steel plant – built just outside Fontana in the 1940s – and at the time the only steel production plant of its kind west of the Mississippi.[5]
Demographics
Ethnic breakdown of the 4,073 students enrolled as of the 2007–2008 school year was:[6]
85.8% Hispanic
6.9% White
4.8% African American
1% Asian
0.4% Other
Football
After struggling for years, the Steelers began to dominate regional high school football for roughly a 15-year period. Beginning with coach John Tyree, and continuing under coach Dick Bruich, the team peaked in 1987 when it was ranked the best in the nation.[7] The Steeler football team was almost as well known for the traveling "rowdy" fanbase, which followed the team en masse throughout the season and into the playoffs. At home games, much of the town shut down as more than 8,000[8] maroon and white clad fans filled Steeler Stadium for epic battles with rival schools like Redlands, Pacific, A.B Miller, Eisenhower[9] and Colton.
By the 1990s, the glory days for the team had faded. The reality of an economic downturn ( the Kaiser Steel plant had shut down in 1983[10]) and a continued population boom led to demographic shifts and classroom overcrowding. The addition of new high schools split the talent base and the team fell on hard times – enduring a prolonged string of losing seasons.[11]
Racial tensions
In the 2000s, the school has dealt with a series of racial tension between Hispanic and African/American students. In 2006, A large fight between ethnic groups broke out during a pep rally prior to the game with rival Redlands High School. The fight, reportedly involving more than 500 students, spilled off campus into the surrounding streets – leading to a massive police response. The incident received widespread local and national media coverage.[12]
Advanced Placement courses
The following Advanced Placement courses are offered to the students:
- English Language
- English Literature
- Spanish Language
- Spanish Literature
- French Language
- World History
- U.S. History
- American Government and Politics
- Calculus AB
- Calculus BC
- Statistics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics C: Mechanics
- Psychology
- Art
- Environmental Science
Notable alumni
- Travis Barker – drummer for the band Blink-182, Transplants, Box Car Racer, and +44[13]
- Corey Benjamin – former NBA player. 1998 1st round draft pick of the Chicago Bulls[14]
- Greg Colbrunn – 13-year Major League Baseball Player. Member of the 2001 World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks[15]
- Antwuan Dixon – professional skateboarder who rides for DeathWish Skateboards
- Sammy Hagar – singer and former member of Van Halen[16]
- Reuben Henderson – 4-year NFL player. Chicago Bears & San Diego Chargers[17]
- Pedro Nava – former California State Assemblyman from Santa Barbara, CA. 2010 candidate for Attorney General
- Ante Razov professional soccer player in MLS[18]
- Sean Rooks – 12-year NBA player and current professional basketball coach[19]
- R.J. Soward – Former University of Southern California Trojans football star and NFL first round draft pick[20]
- Megan Masters – Reporter, editor, producer, actress[21]
References
- ↑ "Fontana Unified School District | Fontana, CA". Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ http://www.fusd.net
- ↑ "Fontana High School". self. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ "Fontana High – mission". self. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ White, Lonnie (1989-12-01). "Los Angeles Times: Archives". Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ "School Accountability Report Card – FONTANA HIGH SCHOOL" (PDF). FUSD.net. 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ "HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DATABASE – 1987 NATIONAL PREP POLL". Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ White, Lonnie (1989-12-01). "It Has Become Hottest Ticket in Town : Prep Football: Community support is a big reason why Fontana High has one of the most successful programs in California. - Los Angeles Times". Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (1987-10-24). "PREP FOOTBALL : Top-Ranked Fontana Simply Has Too Much for No. 3 Eisenhower, 26-14 – Los Angeles Times". Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ Randy Houk. "Kaiser #1905 Caboose". Sdrm.org. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ "Newsbank (authorized access only)". Newsbank.com. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ Scott Conroy (2006-10-14). "Riot Breaks Out At Calif. High School". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ↑ "Travis Barker". FreeDrumLessons.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Corey Benjamin". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Former Fontana High School star plays a role in World Series victory for Boston Red Sox". Fontana Herald News. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Red Rocker digs up his roots in Fontana". Daily Bulletin News. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Reuben Henderson". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "CHIVAS USA: Former trainer sues Razov". ESPN LA. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Sean Rooks". databaseBasketball.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "R. Jay Soward". USC Trojan Athletics. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Megan Masters".
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fontana High School. |
Coordinates: 34°06′00″N 117°28′00″W / 34.1000°N 117.4667°W