South High School (Torrance, California)

South High School is a public high school in Torrance, California. It is one of five high schools in the Torrance Unified School District.

South High School
Address
Map
4801 Pacific Coast Highway

,
90505-5544

Coordinates33°48′47″N 118°21′49″W / 33.81296°N 118.36352°W / 33.81296; -118.36352
Information
TypePublic Secondary
Established1957
School districtTorrance Unified School District
SuperintendentTim Stowe
DeanLeo Klemm
PrincipalJim Evans
Athletic DirectorKevin VanWaardenburg
Staff83.85 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,976 (2020–21)[1]
Average class size34[2]
Student to teacher ratio23.57[1]
Color(s)    Kelly Green and White
AthleticsBaseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Surf
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Cheer
Dance[3]
Athletics conferenceCIF Southern Section
Pioneer League
NicknameSpartans
NewspaperSword & Shield
YearbookOlympiad
Websitetusd.org/schools/shs

History

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South High School opened in September 1957 and moved to a new campus in January, 1958 with 20 buildings and 106 classrooms. It currently serves children south of Sepulveda, west of Hawthorne and north of Lomita Boulevard.[4]

In 1980 Asahi Gakuen, a weekend Japanese-language education institution, began renting space in South Torrance High School.[5] The school continues to use the school for its Torrance Campus (トーランス校 Tōransu-kō).[6]

Since 2004,[when?] South High has been under refurbishment. Renovations include improved handicapped accessibility, improved lighting, and new signage.[citation needed]

American Beauty was filmed on the South High School campus during the winter break of 1998/1999. Many contemporary South High students were featured as extras in the scenes set on campus.[7]

The short movie Skaterdater was filmed using the Imperial Skateboard Club whose members went to South High.[8]

Demographics

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In the 2014–15 school year, South High had an enrollment of 2,132 students.

  • African-American - 2.4%
  • American Indian - 0.50%
  • Asian - 30.4%
  • Filipino - 3%
  • Hispanic or Latino - 14.7%
  • Pacific Islander - 0.60%
  • Caucasian - 41.70%%
  • Multi-Racial - 5.10%
  • Other - 1.6%

The average household income of South High's ZIP code (90505) is $105,771.

Athletics

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South High's mascot is the Spartan, and their colors are green and white.

Activities

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The Marching Band won West High Invitationals Sweepstakes 2009, 2010 Percussion State Champs, and the 2011 & 2013 SCJA Division 5A State Champions. The South High 2014-15 Advanced Dance Team were the 2015 USA Dance National Champions in the category "Novelty." In 2017, the 2016-17 Advanced Dance Team became state champions at the USA State Championship, while also placing first in several divisions at USA Regionals. The 2016-17 Athletic Training Program placed first in the small school division at the St. Francis Sports Medical Competition.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "South High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "School Quality Snapshot". California Department of Education. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Athletics". South High School. 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  4. ^ Gnerre, Sam (21 January 2017). "Torrance's South High School comes to life in the late 1950s". South Bay History. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. ^ Rainey, James. "Children of Japanese Executives Flock to Special Classrooms." Los Angeles Times. December 31, 1987. Retrieved on March 6, 2014.
  6. ^ "トーランス校 Archived 2014-03-30 at the Wayback Machine." Other Campuses include Orange County and Santa Monica. Asahi Gakuen. Retrieved on March 30, 2014. "TORRANCE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 4801 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505 "
  7. ^ Internet Movie Database: American Beauty filming locations Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  8. ^ "Skaterdater: the story of the world's first skateboard movie". SurferToday.com. SurferToday. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
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