San Mateo High School is a National Blue Ribbon comprehensive four-year public high school in San Mateo, California, United States. It serves grades 9–12 and is part of the San Mateo Union High School District.San Mateo High School continues the "Tradition of Excellence" that first started in 1902 and strives to create a unique campus life for all students and staff, which remains different from any other high school in the San Mateo Union High School District. There are many programs that define SMHS; the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Curriculum, Biotechnology Training Facility, Choir Instruction, Dance Instruction, Drama Production, Marching Band, Music Department, Renaissance Leadership, and Student Government are just a few of those offered.HistoryIn its first year, San Mateo High School was located in the Dixon Cottage on Ellsworth Avenue with an enrollment of just 14 students. The faculty was composed of A.G. Van Gorder, principal and teacher; and Marie Borough and Florence Kimball, two assistant teachers. The school was opened on September 15, 1902, at 8:30 am, in the two-story Dixon Cottage at 54 North Ellsworth Street. Its courses included foreign languages, the arts, history, and varied courses in science and mathematics. In the beginning, only two years were required for graduation, but many students continued the full four years with intentions of going to college. Textbooks were well preserved, as the students had to buy their own. Reimbursement could usually be had by selling the used books to the incoming freshmen.
