Wikipedia

Castle Park High School

Castle Park High School (CPHS) is a four-year public high school in Chula Vista, California, United States. Established in 1963, the school serves grades 9–12. It has approximately 1,500 students, those of which are primarily from low to middle-income families. The campus covers 46 acres and is just 6 miles north of the Mexico–United States border.[2]

Castle Park High School
Address
Map
1395 Hilltop Drive

Chula Vista, California 91911
Information
TypePublic
MottoOnce a Trojan, Always a Trojan
EstablishedSeptember 1963
School districtSweetwater Union High School District
SuperintendentMoisés G. Aguirre
PrincipalJuan I Gonzalez,
Teaching staff92.87 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment1,980 (2023-2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio21.32[1]
CampusSuburban
Color(s)   
Athletics conferenceMetro 2
MascotHelen of Troy & Tommy Trojan
NicknameTrojans
Websitehttps://cph.sweetwaterschools.org/
text
This map shows the incorporated and unincorporated areas in San Diego County, California, highlighting Chula Vista in red.

History

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Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District

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Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is a legal case involving allegations of Title IX violations at Castle Park High School (CPHS), concerning gender equality in school athletics.[3][4]

The case was brought by female students on the softball team at CPHS who filed a class-action lawsuit against SUHSD, claiming the school failed to provide equal athletic opportunities for female athletes.[5] The argument was in regards to that the school's softball team received less support and poorer facilities compared to the baseball team.[6]

Court ruling

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The court under the United States District Court for the Southern District of California agreed with the plaintiff, ruling that:[7]

  1. The school took negative actions against the plaintiffs because they raised these concerns.
  2. The reasons the school gave for firing Coach Martinez were untrue and intended as a way of retaliation.
Key dates
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  • 2007: Girls softball players from Castle Park High School file a lawsuit against the Sweetwater Union High School District.[8]
  • 2009: U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz rules against the district, which pays nearly $500,000 in legal fees.
  • 2012: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2012 ruling that the Sweetwater Union High School violated Title IX.[9]
  • 2012: Following a 10-day trial, Judge Lorenz finds the district in violation.
  • April 2023: The district dedicates $1.6 million in improvements to the softball field.[10]

The ruling required the school district to take steps to address the imbalance in athletic opportunities. The district's appeal of the decision was unsuccessful. The references used concerning this case are: Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education, 544 U.S. 167 (2005). Emeldi v. University of Oregon, 698 F.3d 715 (9th Cir. 2012). Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.[11]

Many of Castle Park's classrooms were renovated in 2006 by Turner Construction Company, and as a result classrooms now are air-conditioned with energy-efficient lighting and windows. Classrooms are also now internet-ready and have new whiteboards, cabinets, flooring, and paint. The school's landscape was recently cleaned up in 2009 - 2010, and the entire school was repainted on the exterior with a more rich, earth-toned tan color in 2011. These much-needed improvements will be followed up by another phase of construction which is slated to begin within the next few years with Proposition O.

September 2009, Congressman Bob Filner presented the school with an American flag, as part of a way to recognize the school’s efforts toward academic improvement.[12]

October 3, 2011, Castle Park High's former principal, Diego Ochoa, and assistant principal, Abram Jimenez, stepped down after $21,583 was taken from nine student clubs without advisers' knowledge. The funds were deposited into an account for other school expenses, including employee gifts, luncheons, parking costs, a $600 chainsaw, and a $130 football helmet for a local doctor. Additionally, there were unpaid bills totaling $72,712 for items like yearbooks and uniforms.[13]

In a related matter, Ochoa facilitated over 115 unauthorized grade changes after a credit recovery session, which involved eliminating D's and F's from student transcripts, in violation of district policy. Ochoa was initially in consideration for a promotion to executive director of middle schools; however, he was reassigned to the principal role at Bonita Vista Middle before his resignation.[13]

As of December 19, 2014, the school faced student transfers, with over 25% of its students leaving due to concerns about violence and declining academics.[14]

In July 2017, rumours arose regarding the possible retirement of its long-standing mascot, Tommy Trojan. The speculation began when a large mural of Tommy was taken down during an $800,000 renovation project to upgrade the gym. However, the District confirmed that the mascot would remain and was not being replaced.[15]

In March 2020, students in the Sweetwater Union High School District held walkouts in response to budget cuts. The cuts included 237 positions, such as teachers andcounselors, and the closure of 12 learning centers.[16]

Castle Park High School and the Sweetwater Union High School District as a whole, are currently renovating their facilities (as of 2024) including building a new football stadium. The district is investing $42 million to update infrastructure and athletic facilities. The main goal of these improvements is to enhance safety and the quality of education.[17][18][19]

Athletics

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Castle Park High School has developed a strong athletic tradition since its adoption by the USC Trojans in 1963.[20]

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Castle Park High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "About Us – Castle Park High School". Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Rosenfelt, Philip. ""Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District"" (PDF). United States Department of Justice.
  4. ^ "Title IX – Castle Park High School". Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  5. ^ admin (June 8, 2015). "Female Athletes and School District Settle Title IX Case After Ninth Circuit Ruling". Legal Aid at Work. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "CWLC and Partners Inspect Castle Park High School for Title IX Compliance | California Women's Law Center". Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "Judge: Sweetwater district unfairly favored boys' sports over girls' sports at Castle Park High". cbs8.com. February 10, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "Federal Appeals Court Upholds Calif. School Gender-Equity Ruling - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. September 19, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "From U-T San Diego: Appeals Court Upholds Title IX Ruling Against Sweetwater | California Women's Law Center". Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District". LII / Legal Information Institute. Cornell Law School. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  11. ^ ""Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District"" (PDF). United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. September 19, 2014.
  12. ^ "Castle Park High Strives to Achieve Excellence". La Prensa. September 18, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  13. ^ a b McGlone, Ashly (October 3, 2011). "Money taken from student clubs". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Hall, Seth (December 19, 2014). "Morning Report: The Crisis at Castle Park". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Rivera, Salvador (July 25, 2017) [July 24, 2017]. "Is Castle Park High dumping Tommy Trojan mascot?". Fox 5 San Diego.
  16. ^ "Students in Sweetwater Union High School District continue walkouts over budget cuts". cbs8.com. March 3, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  17. ^ "Multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art football stadium complex underway at Castle Park High". cbs8.com. May 30, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. ^ Handy, Shannon (December 15, 2023). "Castle Park High School to get $42 million football stadium after students demand change". cbs8.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  19. ^ KUSI News (December 18, 2023). Castle Park High School To Get New Football Facility. Retrieved September 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Athletics – Castle Park High School". Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Brents, Phillip (February 3, 2006). "Super Bowl match-up brings out party-time attitude". The Star-News. p. 23. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Nahill, Jeff (September 30, 1982). "'Unwanted' Morales walks on at SDSU". The Star-News. p. B6, B7. Retrieved January 25, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Castle Park grad Moreno inks deal with NFL Chargers". The Star-News. August 3, 2001. p. 21. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Brents, Phillip (January 3, 1998). "Hometown heroes lift Rams to 35-24 Holiday Bowl win". The Star-News. p. 12. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Wyllie, John Philip (August 18, 2000). "Castle Park grad Haywood stacking up as team leader for SDSU Aztecs". The Star-News. p. 21. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Benji Gil". Kansas City Royals. Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 8, 2009.[dead link‍]
  27. ^ "Padres interview Castle Park High grad Benji Gil, could wrap up manager search next week". San Diego Union-Tribune. November 1, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  28. ^ Byers, Jim (October 15, 1981). "Riley's homecoming is brightened by Viking win". The Star-News. p. 25. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Sanders, Jeff (March 30, 2017). "Alex Sanabia at home in Toros' opener". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  30. ^ "CP grad Sampson, projected to start in 2006, sidelined by injury". The Star-News. August 18, 2006. p. 20. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Brents, Phillip (August 14, 2019). "CPHS grad Barcoo looking to thrive in senior year with Aztecs". The Star-News. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
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32°36′25.5″N 117°3′7.29″W / 32.607083°N 117.0520250°W / 32.607083; -117.0520250

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