Patrick Henry High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The 57-acre (230,000 m2) campus includes a counseling center, child development center, computer and science labs, a cafetorium, library and a performing arts theater. The mascot of Patrick Henry High School is the Patriot, a reference to Patrick Henry, an American Founding Father.
Patrick Henry High School participates in the Voluntary Ethnic Enrollment Program (VEEP) whereby approximately 600 students travel daily from an underrepresented minority community and are regularly enrolled, full-time students. In 2020, the ethnic composition of the school represented more than 20 ethnic groups, Patrick Henry High School is approximately 39.5% White, 29.8% Hispanic, 15.7% Asian, 8.6% Biracial, 5.8% Black, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 0.2% Not specified, and 0.1% Native American.[3]
History
Patrick Henry High School opened in 1968, and had a grant from the Danforth Foundation as an experimental public school.[4] Founding Principal Donald W. Giddings designed the curriculum as experimental independent learning around a twenty-minute modular system, independent study and an open campus. Within five years, Patrick Henry became more of a traditional school benefiting from its experimental foundation by the early adoption of advanced placement courses including Art History.[5]
Academics
In 2019, Patrick Henry High School was ranked in the top 4% of the most challenging public high schools in America (888th of 22,000).[6] The rank was determined by the Challenge Index defined as the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests taken in a year relative to the number of seniors who graduate.[6][7] Patrick Henry High School offers Advanced Placement and Honors courses in World History, Art History, English, Chemistry, Biology, Calculus. The school offers a modern Visual and Performing Arts program in theater, tech theater, band, orchestra, and choral music.[8] Through a longstanding collaboration with Mesa College, high school students can take introductory college courses for credit.[9] Patrick Henry High School has Engineering Academy to support students’ science, engineering, architecture, design electronics and design interests.[10] In 2017 the school's robotics club, the Patribots, won the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) San Diego Regional and competed at the international championships in Houston.[11] In 2019, the Patribots won the Utah Regional and competed in international championships.[12]
School Within A School
Patrick Henry High School offers a School Within A School program focused on psychology and child development classes called the Teaching Academy. The Teaching Academy is specifically designed to prepare students for college and career experiences in teaching and early childhood education.[13]
The Patrick Henry High School Varsity Football team led by Ricky Williams, competed in the 1994 CIF Championship, losing to Morse High School 13-0.[15] The Patrick Henry High School Varsity Football team won the Division IV CIF Championship over University City High School on November 26, 2021, for the first football CIF title in school history.[16]
On January 5, 1984, the San Diego Police Department executed a narcotics raid arresting 63 Patrick Henry High School students, who had allegedly sold drugs to an undercover officer posing as a student.[19]
On January 3, 2007 the San Diego Police Department executed a narcotics raid resulting in the arrest of 15 students from Patrick Henry and University City High Schools who allegedly sold narcotics to undercover San Diego Police Department officers posing as students.[20]
In October 2011, Patrick Henry elected the nation's first lesbian couple as homecoming king and queen. The story was covered internationally and led to both support and opposition.[21][22][23]
In February 2012, following a new school policy limiting bathroom breaks during student advisory periods, a teacher allegedly told a female student who asked to go to the bathroom that she would have to urinate in a bucket in a back room.[24] Due to subsequent bullying which followed her despite two school transfers and led to a suicide attempt, the student sued the San Diego Unified School District. In 2017, she was awarded $1.25 million in damages by a Superior Court jury.[25]
On March 17, 2012, a campus police officer was arrested on charges of auto theft and driving under the influence, after taking the wheel of a shuttle-bus while intoxicated.[26]
On March 22, 2012, three Patrick Henry students organized a protest to defend their teachers who had recently been terminated by the San Diego Unified School District.[27] Students signed a petition, wrote letters to the Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District and other members of the school board. Additionally, over 200 students participated in a walk-out for an hour to show their support for their teachers.[27]
RuPaul (Andre Charles), celebrity drag queen, television judge, recording artist, and model (Class of 1979)(note: RuPaul took his GED and did not graduate with his 1979 classmates.[35])
Brenda Ann Spencer, incarcerated convicted murderer (Class of 1980) (note: Spencer committed her crime in 11th grade and did not graduate with her 1980 classmates)[36]
