South Hills High School
At South Hills, we're driven by the spirit of "Fire It Up!"...A mindset that lights the spark of passion in everything we do. We believe in aiming higher and achieving the impossible, and that spirit is reflected in every aspect of our school. We're a community dedicated to a strong focus on instruction, a vibrant school culture, and thriving participation in extracurricular activities. Our goal is simple: to provide a relevant, high-quality education that inspires our diverse student body to "show what we know" and be prepared for college and career opportunities in a global society.
Our beautiful campus, with breathtaking panoramic views from Mount Wilson to Mount Baldy, is located in a quiet, suburban community on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. Serving the municipalities of Covina, West Covina, San Dimas, and Walnut, our retrofitted campus originally opened in 1964 as part of the Covina-Valley Unified School District (C-VUSD), which serves approximately 10,000 students. The vibrant population of South Hills High has evolved significantly over the years, and we are proud of the diverse and dynamic student body we serve today. Our current enrollment is steady at approximately 1,650 students, with close to 600 of those students joining us on permits from other districts, which makes us a destination school for students to succeed.
The "Fire It Up" mentality is powered by our well-trained and dedicated staff. Our 79 full-time teachers are all highly qualified and possess English Learner (EL) authorization. We are exceptionally proud that 82% of our staff hold a Master's degree. Our administrative team and counselors are also highly qualified, dedicated and committed to the students, parents and staff. Our team is committed to providing all students with the skills and knowledge to become lifelong learners and productive citizens. We foster this commitment through a school day with seven 52-minute periods, allowing teachers to collaborate daily during a common prep period. Additionally, our late-start Tuesdays twice a month provide an extra 90 minutes of professional development to ensure our staff remains at the top of their field. A school resource officer (SRO) from the West Covina Police Department is also on campus, which is vital to maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone. Our staff’s deep roots in the South Hills tradition are undeniable. An impressive 13% of our teachers are SHHS Alumni, and over 53% have taught at South Hills for more than 10 years, with 12 teachers having served for over two decades. Their experience and dedication have fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Our Professional Development Program, implemented with the current administration, serves as a catalyst for positive changes in our school culture. This program and our Instructional Leadership Team use student performance data, survey feedback, and best practices to create a unified plan that directly aligns professional learning with our school-wide goals. It is this conscientious, collaborative approach that ensures high levels of teaching and learning for all students.