Edison High School (Huntington Beach, California)

Edison High School is a public high school located in Huntington Beach, California which first began operation in 1969. It is a part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. Edison is a California Distinguished School. The graduation rate at Edison is 96.5%. 63% of Edison graduates attend a four-year university and 34% attend community college or trade school. Twenty nine total AP, Honors, and Accelerated level courses are offered at Edison. Edison is a largely sports-centered high school, with 31 CIF championships and 281 League championships.

History

The school was built on land donated by Southern California Edison, from which its name is derived. The Huntington Beach Union High School District created the school to meet the needs of the growing Huntington Beach population. During the 1970s, Edison High School served the second largest student population west of the Mississippi River.

Academic programs

Academy of Sustainability and Engineering

The Academy of Sustainability and Engineering at Edison (ASE) is a STEAM-based program which emphasizes real-life application of mathematics and sciences. The program is directed by Andrea Harrell. ASE students take slightly specialized math and science classes which are directed towards sustainability and engineering. The ASE program and, specifically, students who are ASE Lab Specialists, often use the Innovation Lab, an area at Edison which implements sustainable aquaponics systems, houses a variety of marine specimens, and is used by the robotics team, among other features. The establishment of the Innovation Lab was spearheaded by Edison science teacher and Assistant Director of ASE Greg Gardiner. Gardiner was named 2018 California Teacher of the Year for his ability to engage students, his work with developmentally disabled students, his hands-on teaching style, and his positive energy. ASE also runs several gardens at Edison which showcase native plants such as succulents in their natural habitats. All ASE students participate in a stewardship event, in which they take part in some type of action that will positively affect the local environment. ASE also offers a Robotics and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program, which competes against other schools, as well as an E-sports team.

Model United Nations

The Model United Nations (MUN) program at Edison simulates United Nations committees in order to teach students skills of research, public speaking, debating, and writing, as well as critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership. This Honors-level program also teaches students basic social studies information alongside MUN assignments, projects, and conferences. After Freshman year, a typically small cut occurs, allowing only two classes (seventy-four students) as Sophomores in MUN. After Sophomore year, the program is reduced to one class, which remains until Senior year. Edison MUN typically competes in both local and national conferences throughout the year against other top programs.

Notable alumni

• Willie Aames, American actor, director, producer
• Mark Boyer, former NFL player
• Jack Clark, Rugby player, coach, and U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame
• Rick DiBernardo, Former professional football player (NFL)
• Austin D’Amond, drummer for heavy metal band Bleed The Sky
• Marcus Epps, football player
• Jonathan Fahn: voice/TV/film actor, as well as an award-winning film and stage director, producer, and writer.
• Joy Fawcett, soccer player
• Eric Filia, baseball player
• Julio Gonzalez, boxer
• Tommy Grady, Former professional football player (AFL)
• Lisa Guerrero, journalist
• Kyle Higashioka, baseball player
• Donnie Hill, MLB baseball player
• Jeff Kent, former baseball player
• Henry Owens, (MLB) baseball player
• Tori Pena, pole vaulter
• Tom Shields, Olympic swimmer
• Yevgeni Starikov, soccer player
• Dale Thayer, baseball player
• William Wang, founder of Vizio
• Doug Webb, musician
• Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots singer
• Brandon Winokur, MLB shortstop

External links

• Edison High School