Monte Vista High School is public, comprehensive high school located in Spring Valley, California, and serves 1,960 students in grades nine through twelve. Opened in 1961, Monte Vista is the seventh of twelve high schools built in the Grossmont Union High School District.Monte Vista High School has been ranked among the top 6000 schools in the nation, coming in at #1147, due in part to its excellent record for AP testing and its steadily increasing Annual Performance Index. Monte Vista has one of the best AP programs in the Grossmont Union District.StudentsMonte Vista's student body is composed of pupils from the following ethic backgrounds (2011-2012 school year): White (not Hispanic) - 25%Hispanic or Latino - 52%African American - 10%Asian - 1%Filipino or Pacific Islander - 5%American Indian or Alaska Native - 1%Multiple or No Response - 1%Extracurricular activitiesAthleticsMonte Vista's athletic teams, the Monarchs, compete in the South League of the Grossmont Conference and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego Section.Performing ArtsMonte Vista's marching band, the Monarch Brigade is an award-winning parade and concert band that has also received accolades for its colorguard, as well as having its students included in the state Honor Band. The band's students received nearly unanimous superior ratings at the Grossmont instrumental solo competition, and unanimous superiors at the 2011 band festival. Monte Vista's drama program puts forward three shows per year—one entirely student-directed—and its students have been honored at local thespian competitions for their solo and ensemble performances. Monte Vista's dance program is under the direction of Loree Atkins(Trim), and puts forward two sold-out performances each spring. Monte Vista's choir program competes in several festivals in southern California and consistently places in the top three in their division, receiving unanimous superiors and 1st place at the 2011 Heritage festival. Monte Vista is also one of only three high schools in the Grossmont district to offer class piano.
