Mills High School
| Mills High School | |
|---|---|
|
Home of the Vikings | |
| Address | |
|
400 Murchison Drive Millbrae, California, San Mateo 94030 United States | |
| Coordinates | 37°35′37″N 122°23′24″W / 37.5937°N 122.3900°WCoordinates: 37°35′37″N 122°23′24″W / 37.5937°N 122.3900°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Established | 1958 |
| School district | San Mateo Union High School District |
| CEEB code | 051972 |
| Dean | Tim Christian |
| Principal | Pamela Duszynski |
| Faculty | 68[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Age range | 13-19 |
| Enrollment | 1,198 (2015–2016)[2] |
| Color(s) | Scarlet and Gold |
| Mascot | Vikings |
| Newspaper | The Thunderbolt |
| Website | www.mhs.schoolloop.com |
 | |
Mills High School is a public high school in Millbrae, California, one of seven in the San Mateo Union High School District.
Mills was established in 1958. Mills High School narrowly had the highest Academic Performance Index (API) scores in the district in 2011 and 2012,[3] and has been named a California Distinguished School three times (1988, 1996, 2009).[4] Students choose many AP (Advanced Placement) classes, as well as participating in a wide variety of extracurricular activities such as music, clubs, sports, and more.
Renovations
San Mateo County residents approved Measure D in 2000[5] and Measure M in 2006,[6] which directly funded the repair and modernization of District schools, including Mills High School. Renovations include newly built East and West Gyms, a state-of-the-art performing arts theater, remodeled P.E. locker rooms, a remodeled pool and pool deck, a new running track, a modern mathematics hall, additional basketball and volleyball playing courts, and a new cafeteria. In addition, extensive work has been done to landscape the school, including work around the parking lots and in Center Court. Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the school. During the summer of 2013, the student parking lot was rebuilt to include more parking spaces for students and better lighting for safety purposes.
Academics
Enrollment for grades 9-12 in the 2012-2013 school year was 1,284 students. • In 2012, Mills received an Academic Performance Index (API) of 868,[7] a growth of 3 points from 2011, and 13 points from 2010. • In 2012, Mills was granted a six-year accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. [8]
Mills also has a wide selection of Advanced Placement course offerings. They consist of:
• AP Chinese Language and Culture
• AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Japanese Language and Culture
- Drawing
- Art 2D (beginning 2013-2014 school year)
- Art 3D (beginning 2013-2014 school year)
• AP United States Government and Politics
Academic reputation
Mills High School has been recognized nationally for its academic excellence. In 2015 it was ranked the 225th best public high school in the country by Newsweek.[9] In 2013 it was ranked 519th nationally by U.S. News & World Report.[10] In 2012 it was ranked 816th nationally by The Washington Post.[11]
A controversy erupted at the end of the 2012-2013 school year when over 600 Advanced Placement ("AP") scores were invalidated due to seating irregularities.[12]
Statistics
Demographics
2015-2016[2]
- 1,198 students: 612 Male (51.8%), 586 Female (48.2%)
| Asian | Hispanic | White | Filipino | Two or More Races | Pacific Islander | African American | American Indian | Not Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 580 | 205 | 168 | 130 | 86 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 48.4% | 17.1% | 14% | 10.9% | 7.2% | 2.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0% |
The majority of Mills students are Millbrae residents; others are San Bruno or Burlingame residents. The majority of Mills students come from Taylor Middle School in Millbrae, while some also come from Burlingame Intermediate School (BIS) and Parkside Middle School in San Bruno.
Standardized testing
| SAT Scores for 2014–2015 [13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Reading Average | Math Average | Writing Average | |
| Mills High | 545 | 592 | 543 |
| District | 544 | 570 | 544 |
| Statewide | 489 | 500 | 484 |
| 2013 Academic Performance Index | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Base API[14] | 2013 Growth API[15] | Growth in the API from 2009 to 2013 |
| 846 | 871 | 25 |
Cheerleading
In January 2011 and 2016, the Mills JV and Varsity Cheer squads performed at the NFL Pro Bowl game in Hawaii.
Athletics
Mills has a wide array of sports throughout the school year. In the fall, the sports are: Girls' Tennis, Girls' Golf, Water Polo, Cross Country, Football, and Volleyball. Winter sports include: Basketball, Soccer, and Wrestling. Spring sports consist of: Badminton, Baseball, Boys' Golf, Softball, Swimming, Boys' Tennis, and Track and Field.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Cross Country | Basketball | Badminton |
| Football | Soccer | Baseball |
| Girls' Golf | Wrestling | Boys' Golf |
| Girls' Tennis | Boys' Tennis | |
| Volleyball | Softball | |
| Water Polo | Swimming | |
| Track and Field |
Notable alumni and faculty
- Paul Fanaika (2004) — NFL Football Player[16]
- Larry Grenadier — Jazz bassist[17]
- Gordon Lish (faculty) — Editor, author, teacher
- Leslie Maxie — Olympic athlete and World Youth World Record Holder / ESPN Newscaster
- Frank Portman (a.k.a. Dr. Frank) — Lead singer of the Mr. T Experience[18]
- Adam Tafralis (2002) — Canadian Football League Quarterback[19] and San Jose State career passing yards record holder
- James van Hoften (1962) — NASA astronaut[20]
- Craig Venter (1964) — Biologist and businessman
- Nick Verreos — Fashion designer who competed on Project Runway
See also
References
- ↑ "School Profile 2011-12: Mills High School". California Department of Education. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- 1 2 "Enrollment by Ethnicity for 2015-16: Mills High School". California Department of Education. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ↑ "2012 Growth Academic Performance Index Report". California Department of Education Analysis, Measurement, & Accountability Reporting Division. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ↑ "Distinguished School Awards". California Department of Education. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ↑ Measure D: San Mateo Union High School District Bonds For Repair and Renovation - San Mateo County, CA
- ↑ http://smuhsd.ca.schoolloop.com/file/1220710917877/1219362004947/4309626863391656666.pdf
- ↑ 2012 Base API School Report - Mills High
- ↑ "WASC: Mills High School Accreditation". Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ↑ "America's Top High Schools 2015". Newsweek.
- ↑ "Best High Schools-2013". U.S. News & World Report.
- ↑ "The High School Challenge-2012". The Washington Post.
- ↑ Swartz, Angela (July 20, 2013). "School's AP scores invalidated: Mills High community challenging College Board decision". The Daily Journal.
- ↑ "SAT Report - 2014-15 District Level Scores". California Department of Education. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ↑ "2009 Base API School Report - Mills High". California Department of Education Assessment, Accountability and Awards Division.
- ↑ "2013 Growth API School Report - Mills High". California Department of Education Analysis, Measurement, & Accountability Reporting Division.
- ↑ "Player Bio: Paul Fanaika". Sun Devil Athletics. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ↑ "Biography: Larry Grenadier".
- ↑ "Famous Mills High School Alumni". Mills High School. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-20.
- ↑ "Tiger-Cats Football - Adam Tafralis". Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Retrieved 2006-10-12.
- ↑ "Astronaut Bio: James D. A. van Hoften". NASA. Retrieved 17 July 2012.