profile DISTRICT 2024 2023
IntheSanBenitoHighSchoolDistrict,
our mission is to educate all students to their highest potential, ensuring they graduate with the greatest range of personal options.
As Superintendent, I am extremely proud to lead a district that believes highquality education is not only a priority each and every day, but that all staff members are dedicated to fostering academic, social and emotional success for every student.
At Hollister High School, we believe in the power of providing comprehensive academic and social support, and we are committed to providing a high-quality education in a safe and respectful school environment. By building trusting, collaborative relationships and maintaining strong open communication, we create a community where everyone feels valued and included.
Our educational pillars, as highlighted in this District Profile, emphasize rigor, relevance, and inclusion, ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success. We are particularly proud to be recognized as a U.S. News Best High School for the sixth year in a row, a testament to our academic excellence. Additionally, our commitment to environmental stewardship has earned us the distinction of being named a Green Ribbon School for the second consecutive year.
As Hollister High School continues to grow, we are grateful for the unwavering support from our greater community. This partnershi i it l t i t ff exceptional academics, robust athletic programs, a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. We tak pride in our efforts to create an inclusive environme where every student can thrive.
Thank you for being a part of our journey toward excellence in education.
Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum Superintendent
ABrighterFuture
ACHIEVING
AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
Our students and our District continue to exceed expectations
PREPARED
ANY FUTURE
No matter your career path, San Benito High School District will get you there! FOR
SUPPORTING
THE WHOLE STUDENT
Support for students extends outside the classroom and includes leadership and athletic opportunities for all students
A
UNIFYING OPPORTUNITY
Fostering a culture of inclusion and caring that includes students of all abilities
REAL-WORLD
Work-based learning prepares students for college, careers and more OPPORTUNITIES
BIG DISTRICT,
San Benito High School District is growing and looking ahead to the future BIG RESULTS
ACHIEVING AT THEHIGHEST LEVEL
For the sixth
year in a row, Hollister High School has been ranked as a “Best High School” by U.S. News & World Report, which identifies the country’s topperforming public high school and measures how well schools serve students from various social and economic backgrounds.
2019-2024
HHS is ranked in the top 40 percent of schools nationally (5,446 out of 17,665 schools), 45th among San Jose metro area high schools and 689th out of 2,616 schools in California
SBHS District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum noted that this recognition is a reflection of the consistent expectations and collective support of everyone involved with educating students, from the Board of Trustees, administration, educators and classified staff, to the community.
“Our mission statement says that our goal is to educate all students to their highest potential so they will have the greatest range of personal options upon graduation and this ongoing, national recognition from U.S. News is a testament to that,” Dr. Tennenbaum said. “I am most proud of our consistent team effort, year over year, to deliver high quality education for all students.”
San Benito High
School District is one of 14 school districts in the state to have earned a 2024 California Green Ribbon Schools award. This is the second consecutive year that the district has earned the recognition for environmental stewardship and educational practices.
Twenty schools 14 schoo districts, and two county offices o education earned 2024 California
Among the initiatives cited in Hollister High School’s application are the planting of droughtresistant plants and trees, campus recycling programs, bioswales to capture stormwater runoff and the addition of solar panels on the north and south sides of campus The District’s efforts, in partnership with Climatec and PG&E, have resulted in savings of more than $2 million to date and are projected to reach or exceed $14 million in savings over the next 20 years.
Solar panels and efficient HVAC and climate control systems have reduced electrical consumption by 8,082 megawatt hours, which equates to removing 523 cars from the road. Phase 2 included the addition of rooftop solar panels on the Career Technical Education Building and the solar farm in the southwest corner of campus, both of which went online this year and will increase the District’s energy savings.
ACHIEVING AT THEHIGHEST LEVEL
Hollister High School’s
graduation rate in 2022-23 rose 1.4 percent to 93.7 percent. For comparison, the state of California graduation rate that year was 86.4 percent.
All student groups in that year ’ s graduating cohort outperformed their respective state averages, including students with disabilities. The English Learner population (+5.8 percent) and the homeless student population (+5.6 percent) had increases above 5 percent.
Hollister High’s male, female, White, Hispanic, English Learner, migrant student, socioeconomically disadvantaged and special education cohorts all outperformed the state’s graduation rate in 2022-23.
93.7% of Hollister High School seniors graduated with their class in 2023
PREPARED FOR ANY FUTURE
Ninety-four members of the Hollister High School Class of 2024 met the criteria to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy, an award presented to students who have studied and attained proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English by high school graduation.
Proficiency is measured by students’ performance in English and foreign language courses, and performance on SBAC, Advanced Placement and SAT exams. Attainment of the Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors our students’ unique skills and abilities, and demonstrates talents that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
In the 2023-24 school year, 135 Hollister High School English Learner students were reclassified as Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) after meeting various linguistic and academic criteria set by the California Department of Education and San Benito High School District The total number of students reclassifying increased by 25 year-over-year.
“This is a major academic achievement for our students that began, for some, in elementary school,” said JoAnne Kaplansky, Hollister High School’s English Learner Program Specialist “This accomplishment is a testament to the work of all of our San Benito County feeder schools and our Hollister High School teachers and staff who are committed to providing our students with the academic support needed to meet the goal of reclassification.”
more Hollister students reclassified as proficient COMPARED TO PRIOR YEAR
ollister High School’s Migrant H
Education Program provides students and their families with support to reduce the educational disruption and other challenges associated with repeated moves.
Led by Specialist Liliana Ruiz and Assistant Superintendent Elaine Klauer, the MEP provides case management services, after-school academies in English, math and social science, and after-school tutoring.
MEP students can also gain work experience as tutors, and receive support with college and scholarship essays School supplies and internet hot spots are also available. PREPARED FOR ANY FUTURE
Ashley Cruz Plata, Kimberly Cruz Plata, Isaura Martinez, and Maria Merino participated in the Regional Migrant Speech and Debate Competition, with three advancing to the state competition in May.
MEP students can gain work experience by serving as tutors for their peers. Students are also able to participate in the migrant speech and debate program. Each spring, students visit colleges and universities. When the regular school year ends, the program continues to provide services, including summer school, college boot camp, work experience and academic counseling.
70%
of 2024 MEP graduates plan to attend colege
Advancement
Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an elective college preparatory program designed to help all high school students prepare for post-secondary life while encouraging them to become lifelong learners.
Most AVID students are from groups that are underrepresented in higher education, including first-generation college students, low-income students, and students of color
The program, which begins freshman year, combines academic support with social-emotional skills and communitybuilding opportunities that encourage students to become active members of the school and local communities. Through these experiences, AVID students are prepared to experience success in whatever endeavor they pursue after high school
128seniors
89committedtoa4-yearcollege 33committedtoa2-yearcollege 5totradeschools/apprenticeships 1totheNavy
Hollister High
School's Robotics and Engineering program, known as "Deep-Space Robotics," is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed for success in college and careers. Robotics and Engineering students experience project-based learning and experience competition, collaboration, goal-setting and perseverance.
The majority of Hollister robotics students come from groups underrepresented in higher education. The program supports these students in cultivating skills for future success, including relationship-building, college and workforce readiness, career acceleration and active participation in their school and local communities.
San Benito High School District is committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world
ProgramGrowth
With the exception of the 2020-21 school year, when the program was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Deep-Space Robotics program at Hollister High School has continued to experience steady growth. The influx of new students each year has helped the program grow from just 8 students in 2018-19 to 50 students in 2023-24
WHOLE STUDENT SUPPORTING THE
BalerWellnessCenter
The on-campus Baler Wellness Center featured an intervention and support program specialist, two school social workers and college interns in the Fall and Spring to support the wellness needs of Hollister High School students. The Center experienced more than 2,500 student visits in 2023-24 for wellness check-ins or breaks, schoolbased counseling services, and other supports. Targeted wellness Haybaler Support Time sessions were offered throughout the year, focusing on topics such as healthy relationships, understanding and managing anxiety, how to develop a positive mindset, and helpful study tips.
SupportforAll
Multi-Tiered Sytems of Support (MTSS) at Hollister High School focuses on a whole-child approach that provides early intervention for students in need and systematic support of all students.
This involves a team approach featuring teachers, counselors, support managers, the attendance team and social workers, all focusing on wellness, attendance, behavior and academics
AccesstoTechnology
Every student at Hollister High School is issued a Chromebook to use throughout their time in high school, giving them access to educational resources both on campus and at home
Aeries Communications, a central communications tool, enables staff and teachers to email, dial, or text message students and families to share information. The Clever platform gives students a convenient landing page to access any of the services they need, such as Gmail, Aeries, Turnitin, the Google suite, and teacher pages.
2,500 student wellness visits provided
The new, 8,500-square-foot
Student Union Building on Nash Road near West Street is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2024. It will include a cafeteria, kitchen, indoor and outdoor assembly spaces, room for students to relax or study, and room for staff and community gatherings.
This safe, vibrant, centrally located facility will be larger and more easily accessible than the current cafeteria to better meet the needs of our continually growing campus population, expected to increase to approximately 3,900 students in the next five years.
The student union is the final project in Hollister High School’s Facilities Master Plan, which has used a combination of voterapproved general obligation bonds, state matching funds, district funds, and a state budget allocation to complete construction and modernization projects throughout campus
Since 2015, those projects have included a Career Technical Education building, Science and Robotics classrooms, solar panels, a new athletics and aquatics complex, multi-purpose physical education and practice fields, new tennis courts, the Visual and Performing Arts and Academics Building, and upgrades to existing classrooms
Nutritionat SBHSD
The District's nutrition programs have made significant strides in reducing food insecurity among our students, serving, more than 642,000 meals in the 2023-24 school year between breakfast, lunch, the Haybaler Grill, after school supper, the Baler Marketplace food pantry, and at San Andreas Continuation School, which is part of the district
BALER MARKETPLACE
Nearly two-thirds of Hollister High School students are eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), highlighting the critical need for these services.
The Baler Marketplace food pantry reopened in late August, offering students, families and the community a wide variety of foods such as canned food, dry goods, fruits, vegetables, and pastas at no cost It is accessible to the public from the softball stadium parking lot on San Benito Street. All food is provided by the Community Foodbank of San Benito.
The Baler Marketplace has been active since 2021, when the return of students to campus after remote instruction made the need for accessible food greater than ever.
SUPPORTING THE
The annual, community-wide Baler Beneficiary effort this year helped the family of 5-year-old Rubi Melendez with medical expenses related to the girl's cancer treatment raised nearly $42,000 this year, far surpassing the initial $25,000 goal
Those efforts included creating door-to-door walks and a variety of fundraisers, such as selling tamales, candy apples, and Jamba Juice cards. Local restaurants held fundraising nights from which a portion of every sale was donated to the Beneficiary cause, donations from students were collected at rallies and a "Run for Rubi" event in downtown raised more than $7,000 for the cause.
The Melendez family was presented with the check at the ASB Banquet in the Spring.
WHOLE STUDENT
Hollister High School’s ASB (Associated Student Body) program is a vibrant connection point for students who want to be involved in all aspects of student life on campus.
A total of 51 ASB officers -- 10 elected by their peers and 41 appointed through an interview process -- help plan dozens of events and activities throughout the year.
This includes Fall and Winter Homecoming, the ASB Election Conventions, Baler Lunch Times (BLTs), rallies, bumpfests, air jam lip synch contests and more.
Approximately 80 total class officers met during eight meetings throughout the year, sharing student concerns and acknowledgements with school administrators.
SUPPORTING THE WHOLE STUDENT
24% of HHS students participate in athletics
Hollister High School offered girls flag football for the first time in 2023, the first year that flag football was sanctioned by the state as an official sport. Flag football athletes have the chance to develop and showcase their footballrelated skills. The 35member program ended its inaugural season with a 7-8-1 record.
Haybaler
Athletics in 2023-24 offered 27 varsity programs and 54 total teams coached by a total of 100 coaches.
The district boasts the largest student enrollment in the 142-member Central Coast Section, which stretches from South San Francisco to King City. Nearly 1,200 studentathletes participated in sports this year.
The Baler boys soccer team won its first section championship and advanced to the Northern California playoffs. In addition, six Haybaler teams earned Pacific Coast Athletic League championships, including girls tennis, field hockey, basketball, track and field and softball, and boys wrestling.
1in5
HHS varsity athletes earned a grade point average of 4.0 or better
Unified Sports at
A UNIFYING OPPORTUNITY
Hollister High School offers soccer and basketball teams for students in the special education program, giving them a chance to compete in front of their peers during lunchtime games in Mattson Gym.
Large crowds of students attend the games, which are part of the programs that have earned the school National Unified Champion School designation from the Special Olympics The Unified Sports program also includes the Unified Games, which began nearly 20 years ago as a way for students with disabilities to participate in athletic events in a non-competitve atmosphere.
Unified Prom, coordinated by the Associated Student Body and Circle of Friends, was held in the spring at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister. Students with and without disabilities attended, and general education students were encouraged to ask students in the Life Skills program to the dance.
The Unified Cheer team this year consisted of a dozen students who cheered alongside the Baler Cheer squad at junior varsity football games and at school rallies. They practiced their routines with coaches and cheerleaders committed to helping the students feel included while getting to express their school spirit.
1,200
CTE students
13
CTE pathways
Hollister High School’s agriculture and FFA program has earned a ranking of No. 11 out of more than 380 agriculture programs in the state of California, improving its ranking from No. 15 last year.
This year, 28 students received their State Degree in the Spring, a designation earned, in part, for having spent 500 hours in a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) project, made or invested $1,000 into that project, have 25 or more hours of community service and be an active member in the FFA program.
Hollister’s agriculture and FFA program represents just one of the district’s 13 pathways for Career Technical Education that provide students with hands-on, work-based learning experiences.
Career Technical Education
in the San Benito High School District provides high-quality educational opportunities that further the District's mission to educate all students to their highest potential so they will have the greatest range of personal options upon graduation.
A multiyear sequence of CTE courses integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.
Hollister High School student Trevor Wright was awarded the California FFA State STAR in Agribusiness in March 2024. Trevor owns and operates Wright Welding and Ag Services
BIG DISTRICT,BIG RESULTS
3,465 STUDENTS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS RECLASSIFIED AS ENGLISH PROFICIENT
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS 361
176 154 16 15 CERTIFICATED CLASSIFIED SUPERVISORY/CONFIDENTIAL STAFF ADMINISTRATORS
HONORS AND ADVANCED COURSES
STUDENTS ENROLLED IN HONORS AND ADVANCED COURSES
STUDENT BODY PARTICIPATION
STUDENT PASSAGE RATE
CTE PATHWAYS
PATHWAY COMPLETERS
CTE GPA
CTE GRADUATION RATE
