Patron saint(s) St. Clare Phone +1 805-483-9502 Founded 1901 | Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Established 1901 Founder Santa Clara Parish | |
Motto In Hoc Signo Vinces(With This Sign We Conquer) Authority Similar Oxnard High School, Channel Islands High Sch, Saint Bonavent High Sch, Hueneme High School, Rio Mesa High School Profiles | ||
Santa Clara High School, or SCHS as it is commonly referred to, is a private, Catholic four-year high school serving grades 9-12 in Oxnard, California. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Opening in September 1901. The school is the oldest high school in Ventura County.
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History
The school, originally named St. Joseph's Institute, was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on September 2, 1901. The school moved to the top floor of the Santa Clara Elementary School building on South "E" Street, and in April 1930 the name was changed to Santa Clara High School. Over the next two decades, increasing enrollment necessitated a new facility, and under the leadership of Monsignor Anthony Jacobs, and a generous land grant from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Friedrich, the new Santa Clara High School opened on South Saviers Road in the Spring of 1952. In 1964 the high school annexed the adjacent empty junior high school facility, acquiring sixteen new classrooms, office space and a new auditorium, doubling the capacity of the high school.
In 1967 the school became an Archdiocesan high school and operational responsibility of the school shifted to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In 1981, The Sisters of St. Joseph, who kept residences at the school, moved to St. Anthony's Convent and their space was renovated into additional classrooms and office space. In 1986 a new gymnasium, Friedrich Pavilion, was constructed.
Athletic Tradition
Santa Clara High School has a long history of success in its sports programs, most notably its basketball program. In its storied history since Coach Lou Cvijanovich took the helm in 1958, the boys' basketball program has won 30 league titles (most league titles of any high school program in the country), 15 CIF titles (second most in California high school history), as well as 3 California State Championships (1989, 1990 & 1999). The program appeared in three straight state championship games (1989,1990 & 1991), winning in 1989 and 1990 and losing in 1991. In 1999, Lou Cvijanovich announced that after 41 years of coaching the basketball program, he would be retiring at the end of the season. The 1999 team went on to win the state title, winning 30 games and Coach Cvijanovich's record 829th victory in the process.