Mills High School
| Mills High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
400 Murchison Drive , , 94030 United States | |
| Coordinates | 37°35′37″N 122°23′24″W / 37.5937°N 122.3900°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Motto | Home of the Vikings |
| 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] FALL Boys Water Polo PAL Champs - 2013 Girls Water Polo PAL Champs - 2005 2006 Football PAL Champs - 1964 2001 2003 2006 Girls XC PAL Champs - 1974 1976 1981 1985 1987-90
Girls Volleyball PAL Champs - 1977-80 1982-84 1991 1999 2008 Boys Xc PAL Champs -1963 1966 1967 1969 1978 1979 1985 1986 Girls Tennis PAL Champs - 1993 2013 2015
WINTER
Boys Basketball
PAL Champs - 1972 1974 1979 2003 2007 2010 2011 2015
Girls Basketball
PAL Champs - 1985 2005 2007-09 2014
Wrestling
PAL Champs - 2012 2015
SPRING Girls Swimming PAL Champs - 1997 Softball PAL Champs - 1984 2014 2015 Badminton PAL Champs - 1991 1996 2007 2013 2014 2015 2016 (check) Girls Track PAL Champs - 1974 1983-1993 Boys Tennis PAL Champs - 1969 1970 1981 1956 1987-91 Boys Track PAL Champs - 1967 1973 1974 1976 1987-90 1994 1995 2014 2015 Boys Golf PAL Champs - 1962-68 1975-76 1981 1983 1987 1992-95 2005 2009 2011 2014 Baseball PAL Champs - 1962-66 1978 1979 1981 1985 1995 1999 2005 2006 2015 Boys Swimming PAL Champs - 1997 1998 2016
Cheerleading Performed at the NFL Pro Game in Hawaii in January of 2011 and 2016 Won Herkie Team Award 2017
Music Department
Mills High School has Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra, and Choir courses available. The music department holds three concerts per year: in the fall, in the winter, and in the spring. In addition to holding concerts, the music department participates as pit players in school musicals. The concert band serves as a pep band and plays music at all home football games and all home basketball quad games. All four courses are available for students from grade 9-12. Symphonic band is available for students who have already participated in band for several years and understand the basics of band. Concert choir is available for all students, experience and no experience. Jazz ensemble is also available for all students, but 10-12 graders must audition. Chamber orchestra is available for all students and is for three years.
Programs
Model United Nations Model United Nations is a program which allows high school students at Mills High School to be learn about the United Nations and contemporary international issues. Led by the International Relations teacher, Mr. Phillips, students are granted an opportunity to attend actual conferences with other students throughout the nation to engage in worldly topical discussions, such as regional conflicts, human rights, and economic and social development. This program ultimately allow students to develop communication skills of diplomacy and compromise.
FCCLA The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America program (FCCLA) is a youth program that gives individuals at Mills an oppurtunity to develop leadership and life skills. Directed by culinary arts teacher Ms Tuttle, a group of selective students would become “national officers” to become part of the National Executive Council. These delegated students can then proceed to participate in events revolving around career preparation at local, state, and national levels.
Notable alumni and faculty
Wesley Chan Part of Wong Fu Productions (Youtube channel) Has 2.9 million subscribers
Paul Fanaika (2004) NFL Football Player A free agent right now Was on- Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs Played 33 games and started 30 of them
Gordon Lish Editor, author, teacher Edited books like Neighbors, a few New York Times articles Wrote many books that were featured in New York Times and The Guardian Teaches at Yale, NYU, and Columbia
Larry Grenadier Jazz bassist Wrote songs like- New York Trio, Heart’s Content, Stranger in Paradise, etc.
Leslie Maxie Olympic athlete World Youth World Record Holder ESPN Newscaster Does track and field Competed in 1988 olympics
Frank Portman (Dr. Frank) Lead singer of the Mr. T Experience Also a guitarist and songwriter Part of Berkeley, California punk rock band
Adam Tafralis (2002) Canadian Football League Quarterback San Jose State career passing yards record holder Played as quarterback Played on-Indianapolis Colts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Sacramento Mountain Lions, and Toronto Argonauts Retired on May 30, 2012
James van Hoften (1962) NASA astronaut Civil and hydraulic engineer Retired U.S. Navy and avaitor
Craig Venter (1964) Biologist and businessman Sequenced the second human genome Helped transfect a cell with a synthetic chromosome Co-founder of Human Longevity Inc.
Nick Verreos Fashion designer competed on Project Runway Educator and author Owns NIKIOLAKI Teaches at FIDM
See also
References
- ^ "School Profile 2011-12: Mills High School". California Department of Education. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ a b "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.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Best High Schools-2013". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on 2016-03-20.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "The High School Challenge-2012". The Washington Post.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Swartz, Angela (July 20, 2013). "School's AP scores invalidated: Mills High community challenging College Board decision". The Daily Journal.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "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.