For many years, residents of the Sunland/Tujunga area fought to have their own high school rather than being bussed to schools in other communities. In the 1930s, local organizations lobbied the school district to build a high school, and in 1937 Verdugo Hills High School opened with 437 students. Over the following decades, the school grew and added new buildings and facilities, graduating thousands of students and producing many successful alumni in various fields. By 2012, Verdugo Hills High School had celebrated 75 years of education excellence in the community.

2. FOR MANY YEARS, residents of the
early City of Sunland/Tujunga fought
to have a high school in their
community.

3. Prior to 1932, students had to take the
bus to Glendale High. After ‘32, they
were bussed to San Fernando High.

4. By August, ‘33, the Tujunga Chamber
of Commerce was trying to secure a
high school for the Tujunga Valley, but
there was no money.

5. By October, ‘33, the Chamber of
Commerce launched a campaign to
raise the funds.

6. A ladies organization formed in ‘34 to
press the district to build a high
school. They lobbied for the next two
years.

7. And Verdugo Hills High School was
born.

8. Verdugo Hills
High School
75 Years of Excellence
1937-2012

9. Verdugo built on the site of a lemon
orchard next to the original Plainview
Elementary School.

10. • Calvin Coolidge High School was
going to be the school’s name.
• Congressman John Steven
McGroarty lobbied to have the
name changed to Verdugo Hills.

11. • September 13, 1937: School opens
(437 students, Grades 7-11).
• Room 7 was the main building-it
was where the main building and
flagpole now stands.

12. • 521 students in second semester.
• June 21, 1939-First class of 51
students graduate.

13. • Verdugo takes over the Plainview
ES site. Parking lot replaces the
school’s main building.
• The other classroom buildings
became part of the VHHS campus
(Magnet area).

14. • 1940-New gym added
• 1948-Main building completed
• 1948-The original building moved.

15. • 1942-Cornerstone for Auditorium
laid.
• 1957- Auditorium
completed, named for John
Steven McGroarty, a
local, California's Poet Laureate
and a U.S. Congressman.

16. • 1957-Keltner Glen added, named
for Phil Keltner, active member of
the school's Booster Club, left in
a wheelchair after contracting
polio.

17. • 1961-Glenn Hall built and named
in honor of astronaut and US
Senator, John Glenn.
• 1966-The building housing the
wood, electric and auto shops
built.

18. • 1969-Suffel Hall built-named for
Ms. Lucia Shumway Suffel
(art/jewelry-making).
• 1998-New Media Lab replaces
Auto Shop and Electric Shop.
• 2012-SLC Project is completed.

20. Verdugo has had a long line of very
successful alumni in every field-
politics, music, drama, civil
rights, industry, and more!

21. • Corey Allen (movies)
• Dr. Susan Ashley (psychology -
author) Class of 1978
• Michael Baldwin (movies - actor)
Class of 1981

22. • Bekka Bramlett (music)
• Jan Brewer
(governor Arizona)
• Chris Burns
(CNN anchor)

23. • Don E. FauntLeRoy (movies - director)
Class of 1971
• Michael Huckman (reporter)
Class of 1979

24. • K. Lee Johnson (movies - stuntman)
Class of 1977
• Michael J. Kouri (paranormal)
Class of 1982
• Scott Manzo (music )
Class of 1977

25. • Alan Lezman (movies)
Class of 1968
• John Ingle (movies)
Class of 1946

26. • A Martinez (Actor)
Class of 1966
• Molly Murphy MacGregor (education)
Class of S-1964

27. • Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (politics)
Class of 1956
• Jeff Mitchum
(photography)
Class of 1977

28. • Jaye P. Morgan (singer)
Class of W-1950
• Robert C. Nakasone (business)
Class of W-1966

29. • Brian Nash (acting)
Class of 1974
• John Purdell (music)
Class of 1977

30. • Steve White (U.S. armed forces)
Class of 1946
• Jonathan Valen (music)
Class of 1977

31. • David Simpson (U.S. armed forces)
Class of 1976
• Dick & Tom Smothers
(comedy)

32. Verdugo Hills High School is proud of all we do
for our students…the future
leaders, artists, educators, doctors, lawyers…and
everything in between.

67. Verdugo Hills
High School
75 Years of Excellence
1937-2012