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 in the El Cerrito neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States. In the fall of 2012, the school was reorganized as a traditional school with one principal and two vice principals, and returned to its original name, Will C. Crawford High School.
As of the 2018–19 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,119 students and 48.54 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 23:05:1. There were 931 students eligible for free lunch and 81 eligible for reduced-cost lunch.
It is part of 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 Will C. Crawford, Superintendent of the San Diego Unified Schools from 1934 to 1954. It was officially opened during a dedication ceremony on April 27, 1958.

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 classes. There was no 12th grade the first year. The entire student body of Crawford High School decided on the school colors and mascot. Crimson, white and blue were chosen. The mascot was chosen in line with Dr. Crawford's other career as an Air Force pilot; the student body voted for it to be some kind of aircraft or bird. To keep with the rivalry with Hoover High School, and because the yearbook was named Centaur, it was decided that the mascot would be the 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, Multimedia and Visual Arts School, Invention and Design Educational Academy and the School of Community Health and Medical Practices. The small schools were closed due to district budget cuts, and the school returned to a comprehensive campus in the fall of 2012.

50th anniversary

In the 2007–2008 school year, Crawford celebrated its 50th anniversary. 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 department achieved NATEF certification on the one-year anniversary of its opening.

2010's

The school established a "restorative justice" program in 2014.

Reconstruction

In 2015, San Diego Unified School District announced a modernization project, with new athletic fields and improvements at Horace Mann Middle School & Will C. Crawford High School. The project began in the 2015–2016 school year.

Feeder schools

Public feeder schools include two middle schools and ten elementary schools.
Middle schools:
Elementary schools:
  • Andrew Jackson Elementary School
  • Carver Elementary School
  • Euclid Elementary School
  • Hardy 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 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.

Centaur

Centaur is Crawford's award-winning, nationally recognized yearbook. It consistently takes best of class and places in the top two 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
YearPlaceBest of Class
20022nd placeNomitated
20031st placeNomitated
20041st placeNomitated
20051st placeWon
20061st placeNomitated
20072nd placeWon
20082nd placeNomitated
20092nd placeNomitated
20101st placeNomitated
20111st placeNomitated
20121st placeNomitated

Sports

CIF Championships

SportTitle won
Badminton1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Baseball1962, 1964, 1965
Boys' basketball1963, 2006
Girls' basketball
Boys' cross country1973, 1974, 2019
Girls' cross country
Football1961
Boys' golf1965, 1967, 2010
Girls' golf
Boys' gymnastics1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968
Girls' gymnastics
Boys' soccer2002, 2003
Girls' soccer
Softball1985
Swimming1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972
Boys' tennis1969, 2002, 2003
Girls' tennis
Boys' track and field1974
Girls' track and field1977, 1978, 1979, 1981
Boys' volleyball
Girls' volleyball
Boys' water polo1970, 1971
Girls' water polo
Wrestling2003

Notable alumni

Image:CrawfordAlmaMater.png|right|thumb|The Alma Mater as seen on the wall of CIF Championships