{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = Arcata High School | image = | motto = | motto_translation = | address = 1720 M Street | city = Arcata | state = California | zipcode = 95521 | country = United States | coordinates = {{Coord|40|52|36|N|124|5|21|W|display=inline,title}} | schooltype = Public high school | founded = 1894 | district = Northern Humboldt Union High School District | superintendent = | trustee = | principal = Kristin Ferderber<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arcatahighschool.nohum.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1587806&type=d&pREC_ID=2509590|title=Contact Administration - Single Pages - Arcata High School|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> | grades = 9 - 12 | nickname = Tigers<ref name="school-directory-ncs" /> | rival = Mckinleyville High School, Eureka High School | image_size = | website = https://arcatahighschool.nohum.org/ | school_number = | affiliation = | teaching_staff = 52.93 (FTE)<ref name=NCES/> | ratio = 19.03<ref name=NCES/> | colors = Black and Orange {{color box|black}}{{color box|orange}}<ref name="school-directory-ncs" /> | enrollment = 1,007 (2024-2025)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&Miles=10&Zip=95518&ID=060303000238|title=Arcata High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=March 12, 2026}}</ref> }} '''Arcata High School''' is the primary public high school in Arcata, serving students in grades 9 through 12. It is located in Arcata, California and is part of the Northern Humboldt Union High School District.
==History== {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2022}} Arcata High School was the first high school in Humboldt County, established in the late 19th century. In August 1894, an election was held involving the elementary school districts of Janes, Bayside, and Jacoby. The vote resulted in favor of founding a new high school. It was determined that the high school should be placed in Arcata, and named Arcata Union High School.
In 1903, in order to support the growth of the high school, a 6,000 dollar bond passed. This bond was used to construct the first school building on 16th and G streets, in Arcata. In 1912, enrollment reached 100 students. New buildings opened in 1920, 1924, and 1943. In 1944, enrollment had reached 500 students and 21 teachers were employed. In 1947, construction began on a new classroom wing and gymnasium. In 1952, the school's metal shop building, and science wing, began construction. In 1956, construction began on the wood shop building.
==Academics== Arcata High School has an Advanced Placement program for those who wish to obtain college credit and take more advanced classes. Students at Arcata High School are also given the opportunity to earn college credit by taking<ref name="About">{{Cite web|url=http://arcatainteract.weebly.com/about.html|title=About|website=arcata high school interact club|access-date=2017-07-13}}</ref> classes at the nearby colleges, Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods.
The high school contains on campus both a charter school, Six Rivers Charter High School, and a continuation school, Pacific Coast High.
==Arts== Arcata High School has a number of special programs through the Arcata Arts Institute, which helps students with a particular interest in the arts (music, dance, drama, etc.) to pursue their interests. In addition to the Arcata Arts Institute, Arcata High School has a Concert Choir, Madrigal Choir,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.times-standard.com/ci_14919026 |title=Arcata High School Madrigal Choir stranded in Italy as volcanic ash clouds airways |publisher=Times-standard.com |date=2015-07-23 |access-date=2016-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151029/http://www.times-standard.com/ci_14919026 |archive-date=2014-07-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jazz Band, and the ArMack Orchestra.
As part of the Northern Humboldt Union High School District, Arcata High School is closely affiliated with the only other public high school in the district, McKinleyville High School. Groups such as the orchestra and the jazz band, as well as some drama productions, combine students from both schools.
==Athletics== Arcata High School is part of the Humboldt-Del Norte League of the CIF North Coast Section (NCS).<ref name="school-directory-ncs">{{Cite web|title=Public Directory|url=https://cifncshome.org/public-school-directory.php|website=CIF North Coast Section|access-date=17 April 2022|date=2 August 2022}}</ref> As of 2022, the campus has completed its updated athletic facilities featuring a Football Field, Track, and Baseball Field. There is also concessions, restrooms, storage, and ADA parking lot. It was built in what was commonly referred to as the "lower field" and has now been named the "James Washington Track and Field" after the Cross Country and Track and Field Coach.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
==Notable alumni== <!-- To be included the alumni must have their own page, or as in the case of Chris Hesse, be included in the page about the band or other entity which is notable. Sorry, but Mike Pigg doesn't have a Wiki page; and Katy Perry didn't go to Arcata High. All additions to this list require citations and notability prior to inclusion. --> *Medal of Honor recipient James Allen Taylor<ref>[http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/vn_a_taylor.html Taylor, James Allen], MOH Citation, 2013</ref> graduated in 1954 or 1955 <!-- does anyone have a yearbook photo? it would still be copyright, don't upload it! --> *Christa Johnson, LPGA professional golfer.<ref>[http://www.lpga.com/golf/players/j/christa-johnson.aspx Christa Johnson], LPGA Tour</ref> *Geoffrey Owens, an actor best known as Elvin Tibideaux in The Cosby show<ref>[http://www.avclub.com/article/geoffrey-owens-talks-about-growing-up-cosby-and-lif-206515 Geoffrey Owens Talks About Growing Up, The Cosby Show, and Life Now]</ref> * Dane Iorg, former professional baseball player (Saint Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres)<ref>{{cite web|title=Dane Iorg|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iorgda01.shtml|website=www.baseballreference.com|access-date=3 February 2017}}</ref> * Garth Iorg, former professional baseball player (Toronto Blue Jays)<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Iorg|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iorgga01.shtml|website=www.baseballreference.com|access-date=3 February 2017}}</ref> * Gary Wilson, former professional baseball player (Pittsburgh Pirates)<ref>{{cite web|title=Gary Wilson|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/19779/}}</ref> * Chris Butterfield, former Arena Football League player<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=2460|title=Chris Butterfield {{!}} ArenaFan.com|website=www.arenafan.com|access-date=2017-06-01}}</ref>
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://arcatahighschool.nohum.org/ Official Website] *[http://www.artsinstitute.net/ Arcata Arts Institute] {{Portal bar|Schools|California|Education}} {{authority control}}
Category:Educational institutions established in 1894 Category:High schools in Humboldt County, California Category:Arcata, California Category:Public high schools in California Category:1894 establishments in California