# Sweetwater High School (National City, California)

Sweetwater High School (SUHI or SUH) is a high school in National City, California, United States. Established in 1920, it is one of the oldest high schools in San Diego County. The flagship of Sweetwater Union High School District, SUHI predominantly serves the National City community with an enrollment of 2,675 students.
In 2009, Sweetwater High School was named on Newsweek's list of the top 1,500 public high schools in the United States. In 2016 it ranked 2065th on U.S. News & World Report's list of best high schools.

## History

Built in 1882 near the present site of Central Elementary School at 9th Street and E Avenue, National School was the South Bay's first high school. National's successor, National City High School, was built in 1908 around that same location, where Central Elementary School now stands. To accommodate the growing population of high school students, Sweetwater Union High School was built in 1921 at 2900 Highland Avenue. The present-day administration building was originally two stories with the library upstairs.
The New Gym was added in the early 2000s and is the blueprint for many of the gyms of other schools built in the 2000s part of Sweetwater Union High School District.
Thanks to Proposition O, the Sweetwater Union High School District was able to fund a remodel of SUHI's aging campus. This extensive upgrade, which incorporates some of the classic architecture in the new design, with a new three-story building housing the new counseling center, administration, library, theater, teacher offices, and 31 classrooms. This portion was completed in the summer of 2011. Originally 80% of the campus was proposed to be redone, with a new quad and the replacement of the bungalows, but due to the “pay-to-play” scandal in Sweetwater Union High School District, only the “new building” was built after the contractors were fired.

## Demographics

Student enrollment breakdown as of 2023.
According to U.S. News & World Report, based on the 2013–2014 school year, 99% of Sweetwater's student body is "minority enrollment", with 87% of the student body coming from an economically disadvantaged household, determined by student eligibility for California's reduced-price meal program.
Approximately 25.5% of SUHI's student population are designated English Language Learners, and 12.8% are students with disabilities.

## Notable alumni

* Orley Ashenfelter - Class of 1960; professor of economics at Princeton University
* Chris Combs - Class of 1976; former NFL and USFL football player
* Joe Corona - Class of 2008; Houston Dynamo professional soccer player and United States Men's National Soccer Team
* Roberto de la Madrid - Governor of Baja California from 1977 to 1983
* Rebekah Del Rio - Class of 1985; recording artist on several motion picture soundtracks
* Gail Devers - Class of 1984; sprinter, three-time Olympic 100m champion in National Track and Field Hall of Fame
* Robert Lopez - Class of 1977; El Vez
* Corky McMillin - Businessman, philanthropist and off-road racer
* Gino Minutelli - Class of 1982; former MLB baseball player
* Vidal Nuño - Class of 2005; MLB baseball player
* Dan Saleaumua - Class of 1982; former NFL football player