Cholla High School (also known as Cholla High Magnet School) is a
public high school
State schools (in England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand) or public schools (Scottish English and North American English) are generally primary or secondary schools that educate all students without charge. They are funded in whole or in pa ...
, located on the West Side of
Tucson, Arizona
, "(at the) base of the black ill
, nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town"
, image_map =
, mapsize = 260px
, map_caption = Interactive map ...
, United States. Cholla is a magnet high school (drawing students from the entire district) in the
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) is the largest school district of Tucson, Arizona, in terms of enrollment. Dr. Gabriel Trujillo is the superintendent, appointed on September 12, 2017 by the Governing Board. As of 2016, TUSD had more than ...
and serves over 1,700, students, grades 9–12. The school name originates from the
cholla cactus
''Cylindropuntia'' is a genus of cacti (family Cactaceae), containing species commonly known as chollas, native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. They are known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur, ...
, which is prominent throughout Tucson and Arizona. The school mascot is the Charger (a medieval war horse) and the school colors are orange and blue.
School history
Opened in 1969 on the west side of Tucson, constructed by the
Del E. Webb Corporation. Cholla High Magnet School has become widely known as the high school that former
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Division ( ...
Sean Elliott attended before enrolling at the
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a public land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it was the first university in the Arizona Territory.
T ...
.
The school's gymnasium has since been renamed the "Sean Elliott Gymnasium", and Elliott's high school jerseys grace the walls.
Academics
Cholla's magnet specialties/academic themes include The Global Village (an intercultural / international and law-related studies program), an English Language development program, parent support groups, social workers, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, honors programs, career counseling, student assistance programs, International Baccalaureate (biology, chemistry, math, history, English, Spanish, German art, drama), Advanced Placement (biology, chemistry, physics, American government, calculus, Spanish, English), English honors programs, the QUICC Program (Quality Instruction in a Continuous Curriculum), ASSIST Program, music theory, folklorico,
mariachi
Mariachi (, , ) is a genre of regional Mexican music that dates back to at least the 18th century, evolving over time in the countryside of various regions of western Mexico. The usual mariachi group today consists of as many as eight violins, t ...
programs and ethnic studies programs.
Athletics
Cholla presently competes in the 5A Sonoran Conference, Division I.
Notable alumni
*
Sean Elliott
Sean Michael Elliott (born February 2, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player who starred at small forward in both the college and professional ranks. He attended the University of Arizona, where he had a standout career as ...
(1985): former professional
NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...
basketball player
*
Vance Johnson
Vance Edward Johnson (born March 13, 1963), is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
Playing career
A 5'11", 174 lb. wide receiver, Johnson playe ...
(1981): former
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the major ...
football star for the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquart ...
*
Ajak Magot: Former Idaho State basketball player and current professional player for Arino Basket Termoli Italy
*
Mel Stocker
Myreon Romel "Mel" Stocker (born August 15, 1980) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007.
Biography
Mel Stocker attended Arizona State University and was then drafted by the Kansas City Roy ...
: former
MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
player (
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...
)
*
David Tineo: artist, teacher, political activist
References
External links
Official websiteArizona Department of Education School Report Card
{{authority control
Educational institutions established in 1969
Public high schools in Arizona
International Baccalaureate schools in Arizona
Schools in Tucson, Arizona
Magnet schools in Arizona
1969 establishments in Arizona