Soledad High School is a public secondary school located in Soledad, California, United States. A part of Soledad Unified School District, it was opened in 1999 and is the largest high school in south Monterey County, serving grades 9 through 12. In 2023, the school had approximately 1,534 students.[1] The Monterey County Free Libraries[2] Soledad Branch is located on the school's north-west part of campus, serving the high school as well as the public. Soledad High School's mascot is the Aztec Warrior. The school is being run by its seventh principal in 15 years.[when?][citation needed]
History
The creation of Soledad High School was spearheaded by Gene Martin, SUSD Superintendent 1994-2003.
Academics
Advanced Placement courses at Soledad High School include:
Future Farmers of America (FFA): The Soledad Future Farmers of America Chapter helps students learn about agriculture. The Soledad FFA organization had two students consecutively named to California State Officer Positions in 2007 and 2008.[3]
MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is a club designed to help students who are interested in math and the different sciences offered at Soledad High School. The Soledad has attained a 44% annual rate of student members who attend a four-year university after high school.[4] The program offers tutoring in the math and science departments, and provides its members with educational guidance for attaining a career in math, engineering or science.
Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps: The Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools and also in some middle schools across the United States and at US military bases across the world. In 2008, Soledad High School's NJROTC program ranked 16th nationally at the NJROTC National High School Tournament in Pensacola, Florida.[5]
Soledad High School fields athletics teams in football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, cross-country, volleyball, wrestling, and track & field. In 2014, The Salinas Californian recognized Soledad baseball as the Monterey County's Most Winningest Baseball Program from 2009-2013, with 82 regular season victories.[8] In 2016, the football team won the CIF Central Coast Section Division IV Title with a victory over Westmont High School at Independence High School (San Jose, CA). This would be the first section title of any athletics program in the high school's existence. Football, soccer, and track & field all hold home games/meets in Gene Martin Stadium. Volleyball, basketball, and wrestling hold home games/meets in Soledad High School Gym.[citation needed]