Palo Alto High School history

In 1900 a $200,000 bond issue was authorized and a new high school was built at Channing and Webster Streets where Channing House now stands.

In 1908 the first girls’ athletic team (basketball) was formed.

Not to be deprived of an outlet for their teenage energy--typical of Paly students--they found an alternative; twenty students formed a band in 1911 and marched for the first time in the May Fete Parade.

In 1913 the Palo Alto PTA was formed with Mrs.

The Haymarket Theatre remains along with the Tower Building (the Administration Bldg), the only surviving portion of the campus as originally designed by Allison and Allison in 1917.

When the present Palo Alto High School was built in 1918, some townsfolk were critical of a location so far out of town.

When the present Palo Alto High School was built in 1919, some townsfolk were critical of a location so far out of town.

In 1921, Howard (Hod) Ray, the legendary Paly Football Coach joined the staff.

Birge Clark was the architect for the supplementary buildings built in 1922–23 by John Madsen.

Over the years Paly changed from a four-year school to a three-year school as the ninth grade shifted to David Starr Jordan Junior High constructed in 1935.

Paly remained the only Palo Alto high school until Elwood P. Cubberley opened in the fall of 1956 with 500 students.

Henry M. Gunn High School opened in 1964.

The District grew until 1967, when enrollment peaked at 15,575 students.

Cubberley High School closed in June 1979 with its former students going to either Paly or Gunn.

Traditions continue to be established, notably Paly’s much-loved Spirit Week which started in 1981.

The following is from the Historic Buildings Inventory as revised in 1985:

Sherwin Wong, a Paly graduate of the year 1987, and now the mother of a Paly student, said she experienced many different traditions during her time in high school, including Spirit Week Senior Cut Day and the senior class prank.

The campanile section of the tower building was strengthened again in 1989 following the Loma Prieta earthquake.

In 1997, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Paly, Alumni and Friends of Palo Alto High School was formed, providing support for Paly through scholarships, fundraising, reunions, and more.

Jordan Middle School has since been reopened as enrollment has increased, and in September 1998, a twelfth elementary school, Barron Park, was opened.

In August 2001, Terman Middle School reopened as a third middle school.

Nearly a hundred students participated, according to an article from The Paly Voice in October 2009, though most left for class by 8:15 a.m.

“There has been enough of a contingency to say ‘lets not get rid of this building,’ and it will not go away” said Lim in a Campanile article from January 2014.

Since 2015, streaking at Paly has been banned, and students have complied.