District to Give School Extra Credit for Its Centennial

In 1898, when Central School became the first campus in Anaheim to open its doors to high school students, 39 students were waiting.

As the Anaheim Union High School District begins its centennial celebration, 30,000 are enrolled in middle and high school grades.

Coping with growth and planning for the next 100 years will be hot topics as the district celebrates its heritage.

“We hope the celebration heightens the awareness education has played in the community,” Supt. Janice Billings said.

The district has faced many challenges, from serious structural damage in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake to unpredictable enrollment.

By 1901, the district had built Anaheim High School, the first of 20 schools, to cope with overcrowding. Many of the district’s schools were built in the 1960s during the baby boom.

Plans are underway for curriculum changes, possible new graduation requirements and a school of the arts campus. Other goals include placing computers in all district classrooms and other technological improvements, district spokesman John Holland said.

And by the next century, the district may have to build more schools to keep up with student growth, which has been on the upswing since 1991.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Celebrating 100 Years

Events to be held in celebration of Anaheim Union High School District’s centennial:

* Through Oct. 31: District’s “History Alive” on display at the Anaheim City Museum

* Wednesday: Band and Pageantry Spectacular Centennial Celebration, 7:30 p.m. at Glover Stadium

* Saturday: Centennial Fun Run, 11 a.m. at Anaheim High School Track; Fall Festival Parade: Salute to AUHSD Centennial, noon (parade route: Anaheim High School to Anaheim City Hall)

* Oct. 30: Centennial Year of the Reader; All-District Staff Development Day at Anaheim High School

Source: Anaheim Union High School District