Ms. Barton, Principal's Secretary
Ms. Sinclair, Receptionist

Welcome to Rancho Alamitos High School! We are proud of Rancho and the accomplishments of the students and staff, and are pleased to be able to share information about the school via this website. We encourage you to explore the different links, so that you may learn about our wonderful school.

Rancho provides a student-centered environment dedicated to developing confident students who can meet the intellectual, social, and technological challenges of the twenty-first century. Our students are diverse, hard working, spirited, creative, and epitomize what high school students should be.

We have a talented teaching staff that shows their commitment to teaching through effective methodologies, professional development, and infusion of technology. Our school is award winning and has been recognized for the Title I Academic Achievement Award. We continue to educate students who are ready for the 21st century and able to make positive contributions to society as leaders.

We welcome your participation and support during the school year. We invite you to visit our campus and meet our staff and students to have a first hand experience of "Vaquero Pride."

 

 

Ms. Mary Jane Hibbard

 

Mr. LJ Blair
Mr. Eric Hansen

Ms. Jean Koerner

 

Ms. Chung, Korean
Mr. Dang, Vietnamese
Ms. Martinez, Spanish

Rancho Alamitos High School opened its doors in 1957. Its name means ranch of the little cottonwoods and is an acknowledgement of the Hispanic heritage of this area. The forty acres of the Rancho Alamitos High School campus was part of the original Rancho Los Nietos (grandchildren), circa 1784. Later, the land was divided among many family members into smaller Ranchos. In the 1950’s, the Garden Grove Union High School District purchased the land from the Evans family. Construction of Rancho Alamitos High School began in 1956 and was nearly complete by 1957. There were two homes on the property facing Dale Street. The homes belonged to the Evans and Miller families and were located just north of the faculty parking lot. The homes were used as classrooms until construction was completed in 1959.

Rancho Alamitos first opened for grades nine through eleven on the Garden Grove High School campus during the fall of 1956. In the spring of 1957, the Rancho Alamitos campus officially opened under the direction of the first principal, Mr. Don Kennedy. The first senior class graduated in the spring of 1958 under the principalship of Mr. Richard Bivin. In 1960, Mr. Sam Chicas was principal and was succeeded by Mr. Vic McClain (1961). Rancho’s next principal was Mr. William Zogg (1964), followed by Mr. Tracy Strong (1966), Mr. Ron Forsyth (1976), Mr. Jim DeLong (1982), Mr. Bob Mesa (1985), Mr. Tom Robins (1991), Mr. Gene Campbell (2000), and the current principal Mr. Frank Mackay in 2006.

Rancho is a comprehensive high school currently enrolling approximately 1,900 students, grades nine through twelve, who reside in Garden Grove, Stanton and Anaheim.  Rancho’s student population is very diverse; 65% of our students are Hispanic, 25% are Asian, and 10% are Caucasian, representing approximately 26 different home languages.

Rancho is known for its award-winning Title 1 program, nationally recognized football team, and magnet art and music programs.

In the past five years, Rancho Alamitos has produced 3 National Merit Finalists. Approximately 56% of our graduates continue to pursue higher education; 19% enroll in four-year colleges and 37% enroll in two-year colleges.

Rancho offers Advanced Placement courses in Art Portfolio, Biology, Calculus, English Language and Literature, Environmental Science, European History, Physics, Spanish Language and Literature, United States Government and United States History.

In addition, the Vaqueros have distinguished themselves athletically over the past 51 years with 77 league Championships, 3 CIF final game appearances and 1 CIF team championship.

These achievements have made the faculty, staff and community that Rancho Alamitos High School serves very proud.

The Rancho Alamitos mascot is the Vaquero. Vaquero is a Spanish word for cowboy. The Vaquero was chosen in respect for the men who worked the lands of old Rancho Los Nietos. Over the years, the Vaqueros have been known for their hard work, dedication and pride of accomplishment. The traditions started many years ago still continue. We are proud of our heritage and proud to be Vaqueros!