Freshman Recruitment

grossmont high school
foothiller footprints
WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE YOUNG AND A FOOTHILLER!
Choosing a high school is a
major decision, one that requires
the consideration of many
different factors. First, what is the
academic profile? Academics
come first! Beyond that, however,
are all of the other factors that
influence whether or not students
will find a home within their high
school, a place where their
unique blend of talents, interests
and contributions will be valued.
What about athletics? The arts?
Career preparation, including the
armed services? Clubs, friends,
scholarships and extracurricular
activities? All of these have a
powerful effect on the overall
student experience which, in turn,
impacts academic success and
future options. There are many
aspects to consider.
Check Us Out!
February 8, 6:00 p.m.
Future Foothiller Community Night
All incoming freshmen are invited to
come and cheer on the Hillers at this
home basketball game -- prospective
freshmen get free admission and pizza,
plus a front seat view of the Hiller spirit
that makes GHS unique.
February 26, 6:00 p.m.
Freshmen Showcase
Come join us for a fun informational
night and find out all you want to know
about our academic programs,
electives, sports, clubs and more! Free
barbecue starting at 5:00 p.m.
2009
Please take the time to read this
publication about Grossmont High
School, East County’s first and
most storied community high
school. We think you will decide
GHS is the right choice for your
student and family because every
day, in different ways, our
students report that it is great to
be young ... and a Foothiller.
For students whose assigned school changed from GHS to
another due to boundary changes:
Incoming freshmen only are entitled to a “Guaranteed
Transfer” for the 2013-2014 school year as long as a request
is submitted to Grossmont High School between February 25
and March 8 (4:00 p.m.) Please call (619) 668-6039 to
make your request.
For students who want to attend Grossmont and who do not
fall within the old or new boundaries:
Open enrollment requests will be accepted by the District, in
person, online, or by phone from February 25 through
March 8 (4:00 p.m.)
For students whose sibling attended GHS:
Through the 2015-2016 school year, younger siblings may
attend the school of their older siblings, even if the older
student has already graduated.
Foothiller
Academics
When it comes to test scores,
there is only one word that can
be used to describe
Grossmont’s trajectory: UP.
Last year, GHS experienced a
19 point increase in the
Academic Performance Index
(API), the second highest in the
district. That equates to a year
over year growth of
approximately 400% and
more than 200% growth from
the prior three years
combined. GHS was one of
only four schools in the district
to meet its growth target
numbers in all sub-groups.
Testing only tells part of the
story, however. Grossmont
Foothiller Athletics
Grossmont has a long history of athletic excellence and is a perennial
league champ and CIF participant in multiple sports. Many GHS
coaches are former GHS players and bring true passion to the job of
teaching young athletes of all abilities. The athletic program is one of
the largest in the district, in size and diversity. Last year, more than
1,400 students participated in a sport. That’s more than 50% of the
student body! There is strong opportunity for freshman participation,
with many sports offering freshman or novice teams including lacrosse,
volleyball, water polo, basketball, football, baseball and more.
offers the largest number of AP
subject areas in the district and
increased its Advanced
Placement test pass rate in
most subjects. GHS also raised
the percentage of graduates
meeting the University of
California A-G requirement.
The school has been
nominated once again this
year for the California
Distinguished School award,
one of only three schools in
the district to be considered for
this prestigious award twice.
We take the academic success
of EVERY student seriously and
offer a myriad of programs for
academic intervention, as well
as a comprehensive tutoring
schedule for all subjects.
Student Support and leadership At Ghs
Student leadership opportunities abound at GHS. The Associated
Student Body class is routinely recognized at the state and national
level as one of the very best in creating activities that foster a strong
sense of school spirit and pride. G-Crew is an organization that
provides service to the school and is specifically charged with easing
the transition for freshmen through a buddy system that pairs incoming
freshman with older student leaders. We have more than 30 Studentrun Clubs and Organizations which provide opportunities for
leadership, community service, social connection and personal growth.
The Grossmont Resource Center (GRC) helps Foothillers reach their
academic and personal goals, as well as providing support. The
Resource Center offers a comprehensive Peer Listening and Peer
Mediation program, designed to minimize conflicts on campus and
create an open and supportive environment. The Center hosts support
groups on different teen issues and offers individual counseling on
campus with outside licensed therapists. It also helps facilitate
community referrals for medical insurance, child care, financial issues
and other needs. The GRC is also a resource for college scholarships,
helping GHS seniors accrue $1.2 million in scholarships and financial
aid in 2012.
The Arts at GHS
Above, the Grossmont Red Robe Choir, one of East County’s most beloved
organizations, is pictured in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, one of the
venues in which they performed in last year’s trip to Italy. This year, the
choir will travel to Paris and perform in the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Students at
Grossmont High
School
Graduate
College Ready,
Career Ready,
and Life Ready!
Career and technical preparation is also a point of pride at GHS.
The school boasts the district’s only NJROTC (Navy), which is one of
only two ROTC units district-wide. Past accomplishments for this
outstanding unit include being selected as the most improved unit in
all of California and Arizona during its second year of operations,
and being chosen as a Navy Distinguished Unit after their third year
– the highest award an NJROTC unit can earn.
GHS has five different Career Technical Education “Student
Pathways,” which not only provide the “real-world” connection
between school and employment, but also allow students to earn
college credit and/or fulfill UC requirements while still in high
school. They include Arts, Media and Entertainment (AME);
Information Technology (IT); Education & Child Development; Sports
Medicine and Transportation. Students exit the program with
college credit AND skills that make them immediately employable.
Grossmont has one of the most
comprehensive visual and
performing arts programs in the
district, with all disciplines
represented. GHS students in
the visual arts, including
painting, photography, digital
arts and 3-D design are
consistent winners in various
competitions and have the
opportunity to earn UC and CSU
transferable college credit. The
student newspaper, Foothill
Echoes, and the yearbook,
El Recuerdo, also offer design
and publishing experience, as
well as the opportunity to hone
journalistic skills.
The GHS performing arts
programs are well-known -- many
have been in continuous
existence for more than 90
years. The Red Robe Choir,
composed of Beginning Choir,
Women’s Choir, and Advanced
Ensemble, is the largest choral
program in the district. The
instrumental music program,
featuring the Royal Blue
Regiment Marching Band,
Drumline, Colorguard ,
Orchestra, and Concert & Jazz
Band, is regularly at the top in
district, regional, and state
competitions. The Theater
program offers an extensive
curriculum and produces 2-3
productions each year. Its
actors, The Foothiller Players,
have won numerous national
awards from the National Youth
Theatre and have gone on to
participate in elite collegiate
theatre programs; today, many
are professional actors on both
stage and screen. GHS also
offers a dynamic Dance
Department, as well as all levels
of Guitar.
92 years strong ...
No matter where you go in San
Diego, you’ll run into a former
Foothiller, doing great things.
With a 92-year history of
excellence, decades of continuous
traditions, tremendous school
spirit, an active and involved
Alumni Association, and the only
San Diego County high school
with its own dedicated Museum,
our community continues to
celebrate Grossmont’s proud past,
dynamic present, and extremely
bright future. In the 2013-2014
school year, GHS students will
inaugurate the beautiful new
Dear East County Families:
I have lived in East County all of my life and was well aware of
Grossmont’s proud history and traditions, as well the close-knit GHS
community. That’s why we chose to live right down the street from
the high school -- we wanted our children to be Foothillers. When I
had the opportunity to transfer to GHS as a vice principal and then
was later appointed principal, it was a dream come true. I am both
principal and parent. Two of my children attend GHS; we have a
Humanities Building, a modern 31
classroom structure that is at the
heart of a renovated, revitalized
campus. New Foothillers, many of
whose parents and grandparents
attended Grossmont High School,
will have the opportunity to share
future Foothiller enrolling the year after next. Through the years, I
in treasured traditions while
creating a legacy of their own, at
have coached and volunteered in the community and have
East County’s true COMMUNITY
developed strong relationships with people who also want the best
high school.
for kids.
I am not unique: many of our staff members are equally committed
to Grossmont High. More than 20 are GHS graduates who have
Family Involvement
While the complexion of parent
chosen to return home and continue the tradition of excellence.
involvement changes in high school,
Many have had children who’ve graduated from GHS and gone on
the need for it does not! GHS offers
to lead successful lives. That’s one of the things that makes our
many different ways for parents to be
school so unique. We are not only educating your student, but we
involved through the Grossmont High
are also growing our family -- the Foothiller Family. I encourage you
to attend our events for future freshmen, including the Freshmen
Showcase on February 26. Experience first-hand what it means to be
a Foothiller. I look forward to seeing you there!
School Educational Foundation and
its awesome team of parent volunteers.
For more information, visit the
Foundation website at
Dan Barnes
GHS Principal
http://foothillerfoundation.com.