View source for Balboa High School (California)

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox school
| name                    = Balboa High School
| native_name             =
| latin_name              =
| image                   = Balboa_High_School's_official_90th_Anniversary_Logo.png
| caption                 =
| location                =
| streetaddress           = 1000 Cayuga Avenue
| region                  =
| city                    = [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]
| state                   = [[California]]
| province                =
| county                  = San Francisco
| postcode                =
| postalcode              =
| zipcode                 = 94112
| country                 = [[United States]]
| country1                =
| coordinates             = {{coord|37|43|18.58|N|122|26|27.86|W|region:US_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
<!-- alternate notation{{coord|37.721828|-122.441071|region:US_type:edu|display=inline}}--> | schoolnumber            =
| schoolboard             =
| district                = [[San Francisco Unified School District|SFUSD]]
| authority               =
| pushpin_map             = United States San Francisco#USA California#USA
| nickname                = BAL
| denomination            =
| oversight               =
| affiliation             =
| superintendent          = Maria Su
| trustee                 =
| founder                 =
| specialist              =
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| head                    =
| chairperson             =
| dean                    = Trecia J. Cruz
| rector                  =
| chaplain                =
| director                =
| principal               = Catherine A. Arenson
| staff                   =
| ranking                 =
| bar pass rate           =
| faculty                 =
| teaching_staff          = 58.97 (FTE)<ref name=NCES/>
| roll                    =
| MOE                     =
| ceeb                    = 052916
| school code             = 439
| LEA                     =
| ofsted                  =
| testaverage             =
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| national_ranking        =
| classes                 =
| classes offered         =
| avg_class_size          = 21.1<ref name="class size">{{cite web | url=http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/Cbeds4.asp?classize=on&cSelect=BALBOA^HIGH--SAN^FRANCISCO^U--3868478-3830288&cChoice=SchProf1&cYear=2007-08&cLevel=School&cTopic=Profile&myTimeFrame=S&submit1=Submit |title = Average Class Size | publisher=California Department of Education | access-date=2009-05-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121211204215/http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/Cbeds4.asp?classize=on&cSelect=BALBOA%5EHIGH--SAN%5EFRANCISCO%5EU--3868478-3830288&cChoice=SchProf1&cYear=2007-08&cLevel=School&cTopic=Profile&myTimeFrame=S&submit1=Submit|archive-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref>
| ratio                   = 21.67<ref name=NCES/>
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| campus size             =
| campus type             = [[Urban area|Urban]]
| hours_in_day            =
| athletics               =
| conference              =
| slogan                  =
| song                    =
| fightsong               =
| motto                   = ''First on the Pacific''
| accreditation           =
| rival                   =
| mascot                  =
| mascot image            =
| sports                  =
| patron                  =
| team_name               = [[Buccaneer]]s
| school_colours          =
| colors                  = {{color box|orange}} Orange <br />{{color box|blue}} Blue
| yearbook                = The Galleon
| publication             =
| newspaper               =
| opened                  =
| established             =
| founded                 = 1928
| status                  =
| closed                  =
| students                =
| pupils                  =
| alumni                  =
| nobel_laureates         =
| information             =
| enrollment              = 1,278 (2022–23)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=0634410&ID=063441005587|title=Balboa High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref>
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| other                   =
| communities             =
| feeders                 =
| picture                 =
| footnotes               = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=SFDL|designation1_number=205|designation1_date=1995<ref name=SFLandmark>{{cite web|title=City of San Francisco Designated Landmarks|publisher=City of San Francisco|url=http://www.sf-planning.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5081|access-date=2012-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325040805/http://sf-planning.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5081|archive-date=2014-03-25|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
| homepage                = {{URL|https://www.sfusd.edu/school/balboa-high-school}}
| us_nces_school_id       = 05587
| lastupdate              = October 8, 2024
}}
'''Balboa High School''', colloquially known as '''Bal''', is an American public [[high school]] located near the [[Excelsior District]] in the Mission Terrace neighborhood of [[San Francisco]], [[California]], [[United States]].<ref name="SFPROSPECTOR">{{cite web| url=http://gispub02.sfgov.org/website/sfprospector/ed.asp?vis=nei,sch,&nvis=ncor,aer,ent,frn,red,opn,gar,sup,traf,zip,zon,mun,prt,&p=41&t=1&x1=&y1=&label=&city=&zipcode=&thetype=&minsize=0&maxsize=999999999999999&units=&selid=&report=&distance=&s=913&sic=&parcel=&address=&forsale=no&leaserate=&forlease=no&entzone=no&fedrenew=no&geotype=neighborhood&geo=Mission+Terrace&state=pan&cmd=pan&MinX=5999085.131463565&MinY=2090229.6886138343&MaxX=6002237.2717596255&MaxY=2092697.5305546343| title=San Francisco's SFProspector| access-date=2007-03-18| publisher=[[City and County of San Francisco]]| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930024454/http://gispub02.sfgov.org/website/sfprospector/ed.asp?vis=nei,sch,&nvis=ncor,aer,ent,frn,red,opn,gar,sup,traf,zip,zon,mun,prt,&p=41&t=1&x1=&y1=&label=&city=&zipcode=&thetype=&minsize=0&maxsize=999999999999999&units=&selid=&report=&distance=&s=913&sic=&parcel=&address=&forsale=no&leaserate=&forlease=no&entzone=no&fedrenew=no&geotype=neighborhood&geo=Mission+Terrace&state=pan&cmd=pan&MinX=5999085.131463565&MinY=2090229.6886138343&MaxX=6002237.2717596255&MaxY=2092697.5305546343| archive-date=2007-09-30| url-status=dead}}</ref> Balboa serves grades [[ninth grade|nine]] through [[12th grade|twelve]] as part of the [[San Francisco Unified School District]] (SFUSD).
Balboa is a [[comprehensive school]] located in an urban [[working class]] district. It educates a greater proportion of the city's [[disadvantaged]] and [[minority group|minority]] students relative to other city high schools. Mirroring conditions in the areas it serves, the school has a history marked by periods of violence, controversy, and low academic performance.<ref name="YEUNG">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/2000-10-11/news/hard-lessons/| title=Hard Lessons| access-date=2006-11-19| date=2000-10-11| last=Yeung| first=Bernice| work=[[SF Weekly]]}}</ref>
The school motto is "First on the Pacific". The campus is the only [[historic landmark]] school in the district and the only one operating in the city. Following the dismissal of the entire [[Faculty (teaching staff)|faculty]] in 1999, it became the first school in [[northern California]] to embrace and convert its curriculum to the concept of [[Small Learning Community|small learning communities]]. It was the first in California to start a school-based student health clinic. In response to the [[AIDS pandemic]], it was the first school in California to distribute free [[condom]]s to students. In the last decade, Balboa has experienced a turnaround and has improved its reputation and academic performance.<ref name="KNIGHT_BOOSTER">{{cite news| last=Knight| first=Heather| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/03/12/BAGJA5I2RB147.DTL| title=Reluctant Balboa students now are boosters for their school / A less-favored S.F. high school suits them just fine|access-date=2006-11-19|date=2004-03-12|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]| page=B-4}}</ref> The school achieved placement on ''[[Newsweek]]''{{'s}} "America's Top Public High Schools" list in 2007 and 2008.<ref name=Newsweek>{{cite news | url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380/?s=san+francisco | title=America's Top Public High Schools (San Francisco) | work=[[Newsweek]] | access-date=2008-07-25 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
==History==
Balboa High School is named for 16th-century Spanish explorer [[Vasco Núñez de Balboa]]. Founded in 1928, campus construction was completed in 1931.
In the spring of 1952, students at Balboa invented a variation on a [[conga line]] dance which inspired bandleader and songwriter [[Ray Anthony]] to compose an accompanying hit song with the same name, "[[Bunny hop (dance)|The Bunny Hop]]".<ref name="BUNNYHOP">{{Cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,817795,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324004434/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,817795,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2008|title=New Pop Records|access-date=2007-01-20|date=1953-01-26|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>
In 1986, Balboa converted its [[machine shop|metal shop]] into the first school-based health clinic in California: the Balboa Teen Health Center. The clinic provides basic medical and [[mental health]] services. The clinic has improved access and the health habits of a disadvantaged student population that might otherwise have no professional health assistance.<ref name="SFGATE_BTHC">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/23/EDGU9GJFT21.DTL|title=Linking health and schools|access-date=2006-11-19|date=2006-03-23|work=San Francisco Chronicle| page=B-8}}</ref>
In an effort to prevent the spread of [[AIDS]], Balboa became the first school in California to distribute free [[condoms]] to students in May 1992.<ref name="CONDOM">{{cite news| title=Condom Program Starts May 4 S.F.'s Balboa High will make them available with parental consent | work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=1992-04-08}}</ref> This program and the clinic's other [[family planning]] and [[sexually transmitted disease]] efforts have featured somewhat controversially in a number of research papers and debates.<ref name="HARTIGAN">{{cite journal | author=Hartigan, JD| title=The disastrous results of condom distribution programs| journal=Couple to Couple League Family Foundations| year=1999| volume=25| issue=5| pmid=12295141| pages=22–23}}
</ref><ref name="DARNEY">{{cite journal |author1=Darney, Philip D. |author2=Callegari, Lisa S. |author3=Swift, Allison |author4=Atkinson, Elizabeth S. |author5=Robert, Anne M. | title=Condom practices of urban teens using Norplant contraceptive implants, oral contraceptives, and condoms for contraception| journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology| year=1999| volume=180| issue=4| pmid=10203661| pages=929–937| doi=10.1016/S0002-9378(99)70664-2}}</ref><ref name="HORWITZ">{{cite news| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74023929.html?dids=74023929:74023929&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=May+17%2C+1992&author=Sari+Horwitz&desc=Condoms+in+District+Schools+Stir+Concern%2C+Skepticism+Series%3A+%3B| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001044556/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74023929.html?dids=74023929:74023929&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=May+17,+1992&author=Sari+Horwitz&desc=Condoms+in+District+Schools+Stir+Concern,+Skepticism+Series:+%3B| url-status=dead| archive-date=October 1, 2007|title=Condoms in District Schools Stir Concern, Skepticism Series| access-date=2006-12-16|date=1992-05-17| last=Horwitz| first=Sari|author2=Goodstein, Laurie|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}
</ref>
Balboa became embroiled in controversy over a [[hazing]] incident on February 22, 1994, in which three [[Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps]] (JROTC) [[cadet]]s were assaulted by other team members under orders from senior commanders and one cadet was rendered partially deaf from a punctured [[eardrum]].<ref name="OLSZEWKI">{{Cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/04/26/MN27018.DTL |title=Battle Lines on Campus / Does Reserve Office Training teach high school students how to lead or how to follow?|access-date=2006-12-13| date=1995-01-15| last=Olszewski| first=Lori| work=San Francisco Chronicle| page=SC-4}}</ref> The resulting litigation from this incident exposed a culture and history of JROTC hazing at Balboa and several other SFUSD schools extending back to the 1980s.<ref name="BERLOWITZ">{{cite journal | last=Berlowitz| first=Marvin J.| title=Racism and Conscription in the JROTC| journal=Peace Review| year=2000| volume=12| issue=3| pages=393–398| doi=10.1080/713689698| s2cid=143676474}}</ref>
This [[Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps#Controversy|controversy]] has been cited by JROTC opponents in efforts to eliminate the program at all SFUSD schools, which lasted from 2007 to 2009.
On August 30, 2018, a firearm was discharged in the little theatre room where a student was playing with it in his backpack. Four students were arrested; two were able to return to school. The incident is included on the [[List of school shootings in the United States (2000–present)|List of school shootings in the United States]].<ref name="NBCBayAreaStaff">{{Cite news| url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Balboa-High-School-in-San-Francisco-on-Lockdown-492108501.html| title=Balboa High Student Was Playing With Handgun Before It Went Off: Police Sources | access-date=2018-08-31 |work=NBC Bay Area |date=2018-08-30}}</ref>
===Academic resurgence===
In 1996, frustrated by high turnover and low performance on the part of the educational staff, the SFUSD dismissed the entire [[faculty (teaching staff)|faculty]].<ref name="YEUNG"/>
During the 1999&ndash;2000 academic year, Balboa shifted its academic program to the concept of [[Small Learning Communities]] (SLC). These communities would form a
'school within a school" in an effort to turn around past poor academic performance. To support the formation of SLCs, Balboa was the recipient of funding from the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] in 2004 and 2005 through the Every Child Can Learn Foundation Secondary Redesign Initiative.<ref name="KNIGHT_BOOSTER"/>
Frustrated by poor conditions such as insufficient [[textbook]]s and dilapidated facilities during the late 1990s, students at Balboa became members of the [[class-action lawsuit]] [[Williams v. California]].<ref name="VERSTEGEN">{{Cite journal | last=Verstegen| first=Deborah A.|author2=Venegas, Kristan|author3= Knoeppel, Robert| title=Savage Inequalities Revisited: Adequacy, Equity, and State High Court Decisions| journal=Educational Studies | year=2006| volume=40| issue=1| publisher=Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.| pages=60–76| doi=10.1207/s15326993es4001_6| s2cid=143320357}}</ref> Filed in 2000 by the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) against the [[State of California]], the suit alleged a failure to provide adequate facilities, textbooks, and teachers for the poorest schools in the state.<ref name="YEUNG"/><ref name="ACLU">{{Cite press release | url=http://www.aclunc.org/news/press_releases/civil_rights_groups_expand_landmark_education_suit.shtml| title=Civil Rights Groups Expand Landmark Education Suit| access-date=2007-01-11| publisher=ACLU of Northern California| date=2000-08-15}}</ref> The case was named after Eliezer Williams, a middle school student at the time, soon to enter Balboa.<ref name="HULL">{{Cite news| url=http://justschools.gseis.ucla.edu/news/press_room/pdf/Williams.pdf| title=Teen's goal in sight for fixing schools| access-date=2006-12-15| last=Hull| first=Dana| date=2004-08-12| work=[[San Jose Mercury News]]| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912005431/http://justschools.gseis.ucla.edu/news/press_room/pdf/Williams.pdf| archive-date=2006-09-12| url-status=dead}}</ref> The lawsuit was resolved in 2004, with the State of California agreeing to provide $138 million for instructional material, US$50 million for critical facility repairs at nearly 2,400 state schools, and to reimburse [[List of school districts in California|school districts]] for future repairs of deficient facilities. Estimates indicate California may be liable for up to US$1 billion in reimbursements over several years.<ref name="SANDERS">{{Cite news| url=http://dwb.sacbee.com/content/news/education/story/10333606p-11253700c.html| title=Deal on schools lawsuit crafted| access-date=2006-12-15| date=2004-08-11| last=Sanders| first=Jim| work=[[Sacramento Bee]]}} {{dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref>
Building on an effort started in 2001 to increase scores by providing [[Child Nutrition Act|breakfast]] before tests, Balboa initiated a pilot breakfast program in 2005 called "Grab N Go."<ref name="BREAKFAST" /> A first for Northern California, the program has increased the number of disadvantaged students receiving breakfast. Using magnetic [[swipe card]]s, eligible students can pick up a pre-bagged meal as they enter the building and can eat the meal during the first ten minutes of their first class.<ref name="BREAKFAST">{{Cite news |title=Breakfast in the classroom |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Breakfast-in-the-classroom-2665120.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202010735/http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-06-06/opinion/17378303_1_breakfast-school-days-student-nutrition-committee|url-status=live|archive-date=February 2, 2013|work=San Francisco Chronicle|publisher=Hearst Communications |page=B-4 |date=2005-06-06 |access-date=2007-03-28}}</ref> Previously, students would have to arrive up to 30 minutes before classes started and finish the meal in the [[cafeteria]]. Prior to 2001 participation in the free or reduced fee meal program averaged under 40% of eligible enrollment. Since the pilot program started, breakfast participation has averaged over 55%.<ref name="CDE">{{cite web| url=http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/DQReports.asp?CDSType=S&CDSCode=38684783830288&lPage=P| title=California Department of Education - DataQuest report 2008-2009| access-date=2009-05-16| archive-date=2016-01-18| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118005650/http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/DQReports.asp?CDSType=S&CDSCode=38684783830288&lPage=P| url-status=dead}}</ref> The program was credited with increasing academic performance, and received a Victory Against Hunger Award from the Congressional Hunger Center in 2006.<ref name="HUNGER">{{Cite press release|title=Pelosi Honors San Francisco Unified School District For Victory Against Hunger Award |publisher=[[US House of Representatives]] |date=2006-07-18 |url=http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/July06/VictoryAgainstHunger.html |access-date=2007-03-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330191455/http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/July06/VictoryAgainstHunger.html |archive-date=2007-03-30 }}</ref> Balboa was one of four schools nationwide to receive part of a grant from the got breakfast? campaign in March 2007 to support the program.<ref name="GOTBREAKFAST">{{Cite press release| title="got breakfast?" Foundation Announces New Grants for School District to Implement Classroom Breakfast |publisher=got breakfast? Foundation| date=2007-03-05| url=http://www.gotbreakfast.org/press/gb_Press_Release_3.5.07.pdf |access-date=2007-03-28}}</ref> Balboa has continued to serve subsidized lunch meals in a traditional two-tiered system. The social stratification caused by the separate lunch lines has attracted some criticism and efforts by the district to improve participation by eligible students.<ref name=POGASH>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/01/education/01lunch.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | title=Free Lunch Isn't Cool, So Some Students Go Hungry | last=Pogash | first=Carol | date=2008-03-01 | access-date=2008-07-25}}</ref>
For the spring 2006 administration, 47% of the school's ninth-graders scored "proficient" or above on the statewide standardized English exam, up from 39% from the previous year.<ref name="TUCKER2">{{Cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/STUDENT-SUCCESSES-DEFY-URBAN-TRENDS-SAN-2514021.php| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202054755/http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-08-16/news/17306753_1_test-scores-standardized-low-income-students| url-status=live| archive-date=February 2, 2013| title=Student Successes Defy Urban Trends / San Francisco: Improved performance has put once-struggling Balboa High in great demand | access-date=2007-04-18 |last=Tucker |first=Jill | work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=2006-08-16| page=A-10}}</ref>
Balboa has reached third-highest rating of high schools in the San Francisco Unified District, next to Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts a Public School as second, and Lowell High School as first, in accordance to Great Schools Rating of administrators, parents, and fellow students.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.greatschools.org/california/san-francisco/high-schools/ | title=San Francisco High Schools, 1-25 - San Francisco, CA|website=GreatSchools}}</ref>
{{wide image|Balboa-HS-SanFrancisco-1.jpg|600|alt=Balboa High School, main classroom building|Balboa High School, main classroom building}}
==Campus==
[[File:usgs balboahs.jpg|thumb|upright|The Balboa High School campus]]
===Location===
The school campus is located a few blocks away from major thoroughfares including [[Mission Street]]. The campus is close to [[Balboa Park, San Francisco, California|Balboa Park]], [[Balboa Park Station]], and [[Interstate 280 (California)|Interstate 280]]. [[San Francisco Municipal Railway]] transit [[List of San Francisco Municipal Railway lines|lines]] [[J Church|J]], [[K Ingleside|K]], [[M Ocean View|M]], 8X, 14, 14L, 14X, 26, 29, 43, 49, and 54 provide nearby service.
The Balboa campus is part of a larger SFUSD academic complex that includes neighboring James Denman Middle School and the San Miguel Child Development Center. Balboa is close to [[City College of San Francisco]], the private [[Lick-Wilmerding High School]], and [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco|Catholic]] [[Archbishop Riordan High School]]. Situated at the bottom of a valley, parts of the campus are built over a former river and lake.<ref name=WHITING2>{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/07/07/CM1076792.DTL| title=Over the River / Unearthing the damp environs of the Cayuga River| last=Whiting |first=Sam |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]| access-date=2007-04-16| date=2002-07-07}}</ref>
===Landmark===
Balboa is one of two of the only [[historic landmark]] schools operating in San Francisco (the second being [[Mission High School (San Francisco, California)|Mission High School]] designated with landmark number 250.) The campus became city historic landmark number 205 by [[proclamation]] signed on January 20, 1995, by mayor [[Frank Jordan]].<ref name="KNIGHT_LANDMARK">{{Cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/11/29/BAGCFA36951.DTL| title=Preserving S.F.'s beautiful schools| access-date=2006-12-15| date=2004-11-29| last=Knight| first= Heather| work=San Francisco Chronicle| page=B-1}}
</ref> Balboa is regarded as one of the better designed and visually engaging schools within the SFUSD.<ref name="WHITING">{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/magazine/article/Golden-Oldies-When-form-equaled-function-high-2733504.php| title=Golden Oldies / When form equaled function: high school architecture from its prime| access-date=2006-11-19| date=2004-08-15| last=Whiting| first=Sam| work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> San Francisco architect John Reid Jr. designed the first campus buildings in the [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture|Spanish Colonial Revival Style]] with a prominent center courtyard, mission style [[roof tile]]s, and [[arcade (architecture)|arcades]].
Although originally designed with a distinctive red mission tile roof, all campus buildings had their roofs replaced in 1998 with seismically stable materials. An original roof tile is displayed in Balboa's Hall of History.<ref name="DLM">{{cite web|url=http://www.dlm.com/balboa-hs.html |title=Deems Lewis McKinley - Balboa High School |access-date=2006-11-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061030011645/http://www.dlm.com/balboa-hs.html |archive-date=2006-10-30 }}</ref>
===Facilities===
The main entrance along the eastern side of the campus [[quadrangle (architecture)|quadrangle]] is dominated by the three-story main classroom building. The library building to the north of the quad is equal in height to the main building and houses classrooms adjacent to and above the first floor library, including two computer labs and all the science lab classrooms. Distinct bridges on all three levels connect these two buildings.
Arts and athletic facilities dominate the southern half of the campus. Facilities along this side of the quad include the [[gym]]nasium, tennis courts, track, and football field. The main cafeteria and the Teen Health Clinic are housed on the southern side of the quad.
Vocational and cafeteria facilities form the western side of the campus quad.  Balboa's [[auditorium]], [[theater (structure)|theater]], and music rehearsal rooms also are found on the western side of the campus quad. In 2004, the theater was refurbished with the help of charitable funding from theatrical producer [[Carole Shorenstein Hays]].<ref name="WINN">{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/magazine/article/Second-Acts-San-Francisco-s-Carole-Shorenstein-2639255.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929140912/http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-10-31/living/17450626_1_drama-dean-lloyd-richards-broadway-producer-carole-shorenstein-hays|url-status=live|archive-date=September 29, 2010| title=Second Acts / San Francisco's Carole Shorenstein Hays has built a career on Broadway by taking calculated risks| access-date=2006-11-19| date=2004-10-31| last=Winn| first=Steven| work=San Francisco Chronicle|page=CM-8}}</ref>
In partnership with [[PG&E]], Balboa will be one of seven SFUSD schools to participate in the district's "Solar Schools" program. [[Photovoltaic module|Solar panel]]s will be installed on the roof to benefit from and raise awareness of alternative energy.<ref name="SSP8">{{Cite press release|url=http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/news/pdf/11%2016%2006%20Media%20Advisory--Alvarado%20Solar%20Panel.pdf |title=PG&E and SFUSD Announce Solar Schools Partnership at 8 Schools |access-date=2007-06-12 |date=2006-11-15 |last=Blythe |first=Gentle |publisher=[[San Francisco Unified School District]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015528/http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/news/pdf/11%2016%2006%20Media%20Advisory--Alvarado%20Solar%20Panel.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-30 }}</ref>
==Demographics==
[[File:Balboa Highs School, arcade, San Francisco.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Gymnasium arcade]]
According to ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'', 94% of Balboa's student body is "of color," with 68% of the student body coming from an economically disadvantaged household, determined by student eligibility for California's [[Reduced-price meal]] program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Balboa High School |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california/districts/san-francisco-unified-school-district/balboa-high-school-3255 |website=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=22 September 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! [[White Americans|White]] !! [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latino]] !! [[Asian people|Asian]] !! [[African American]] !! [[Pacific Islander]] !! [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]] !! [[Multiracial|Two or More Races]]
|-
| 6% || 28% || 54% || 6% || 2% || 0.3% || 3%
|}
Balboa historically has had a school population of primarily ethnic minorities. Between 1993 and 2010, the [[white people|White]] population at Balboa totaled less than 5% of yearly enrollment, but the incoming freshman classes of 2013 and 2014 spiked the white population up to 5.4%. Up to 2003, the predominant ethnic groups at the school alternated between [[Hispanic]] (24&ndash;30%) and [[African American]] (19&ndash;24%). During this time [[Filipino American|Filipino]] students also figured prominently in the ethnic distribution (19&ndash;30%) briefly becoming the majority ethnic group between 1997 and 1999. [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indians]] have always comprised less than 1%, and [[Pacific Islander]]s less than 3% of the school population.<ref name="CDE"/>
Starting in 2004, the school's increasing academic stature combined with citywide demographic changes attributable to [[gentrification]] and [[diversity index|policy change]] radically changed the student demographic at Balboa.<ref name="TUCKER2"/><ref name="FULBRIGHT">{{Cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S-F-moves-to-stem-African-American-exodus-2604038.php| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727081115/http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-04-09/news/17240492_1_black-mayors-african-americans-black-folks| url-status=live| archive-date=July 27, 2010|title= S.F. moves to stem African American exodus / Critics say effort to reverse longtime trend may be too late |last=Fulbright |first=Leslie |date=2007-04-09 |access-date=2007-04-10 |work=San Francisco Chronicle | page=A-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/epc/DI_Handout.pdf |title=Explanation of SFUSD enrollment distribution |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714011128/http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/epc/DI_Handout.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2007}}</ref> [[Asian people|Asian]] students became the predominant ethnic group (34&ndash;39%) previously accounting for less than 20% of the school population. Hispanic and Filipino students followed with declining majorities. The largest decline was in the number of African American students, accounting for only 11.3% of the school population through the 2007–2008 school year.<ref name="CDE"/><ref name="KNIGHT_BOOSTER"/>
Coinciding with the academic turmoil of the late 1990s, the dropout rate at Balboa experienced a spike of over 230 students (16.8%) leaving in 1998. The year 2000 saw a sharp decline in the dropout rate, with no students leaving that year. The rate has averaged 2&ndash;6% since then.<ref name="CDE"/>
The demographic composition of [[Professional certification|certified]] faculty over the last decade has consisted primarily of White teachers (32&ndash;54%) with approximately similar distributions of staff reporting Asian (6&ndash;15%), Filipino (9&ndash;19%), or Hispanic (11&ndash;19%) ethnicity. African American staff accounted for the remaining 8&ndash;11%. The number of staff over the last decade has averaged between 55 and 91 members.<ref name="CDE"/>
==Curriculum==
[[File:Balboa High School, library entrance, San Francisco.jpg|thumb|upright|Library building entrance]]
Balboa participates in the SFUSD's admissions lottery in which students from the entire city can indicate a preference to attend any of the district schools regardless of geographical location. Based on this preference and certain socioeconomic factors, students are then assigned to schools per district policies and goals.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
===Small learning communities===
Academic instruction at Balboa High School is centered on the concept of SLCs called Pathways. Each community has a thematic focus that encourages individualized learning, an awareness of the future, and personal responsibility. Teachers and students work in a shared thematic collaboration to integrate lessons from their classes. The same sets of students are present in each of the classes, fostering the learning community. Some teachers will follow their students into successive grade levels to enhance continuity.<ref name="SCHARFENBERG">{{Cite news|url=http://www.berkeleydaily.org/article.cfm?archiveDate=2001-12-20&storyID=9088 |title=A peek at small schools across the bay |access-date=2006-11-19 |date=2001-12-20 |last=Scharfenberg |first=David |work=[[Berkeley Daily Planet]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110815182357/http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-12-20/article/9088?headline=A-peek-at-small-schools-across-the-bay&status=301|archive-date=August 15, 2011}}</ref>
In their first two years, communities of approximately 60&ndash;120 students experience focused core literary and mathematics instruction, with emphasis on community citizenship, and an exploration of career paths. Academies or pathways are chosen by students at the end of the 10th grade for the second half of their school career with the goal of preparation for career and college. A few exceptions are noted below.
Every community or academy has several goals in common. Students are educated in preparation for their future career or post-secondary education. All communities provide the [[University of California]] "A-G college prep" coursework necessary for university admissions eligibility.<ref name="A-G">{{cite web| url=https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/|title=University of California a-g Course Lists: Balboa High School| access-date=2007-08-21| year=2006–2007}}</ref> All 11th and 12th grade academies have a common goal of combining coursework with external experiences through field trips, internships, or a mentorship with local business entities or the community at large. These external events are used to raise career awareness. Students in all communities will develop a personal [[Career portfolio|portfolio]] or [[résumé]]. Students will develop skills in research and presentation with the goal of developing [[collaboration|collaborative]] and social skills.
*<span id="GDA"></span>Game Design Academy (formerly [[Academy of Information Technology (USA)|Academy of Information Technology]] (AoIT)): A two-year academy which develops digital technology skills.  Students participate in an [[mentorship|electronic mentorship]] program with professionals in the technology industry and develop a digital portfolio.<ref name="AOIT">{{cite web|url=http://sfpta.org/Balboa/Academics/aoit.html |title=Balboa AoIT |access-date=2007-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008020030/http://sfpta.org/Balboa/Academics/aoit.html |archive-date=2007-10-08 }}</ref> In collaboration with the Pearson Foundation, AoIT students have developed [[digital storytelling]] exercises to learn about historical subjects such as [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionism]].<ref name="PEARSON">{{cite web|url=http://www.pearsonfoundation-naf.org/DS/SFUSD/Balboa/AOIT_G11P2-4_Fall06/ |title=Abolitionism - Balboa High School |access-date=2007-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929182350/http://www.pearsonfoundation-naf.org/DS/SFUSD/Balboa/AOIT_G11P2-4_Fall06/ |archive-date=2007-09-29 }}</ref>
*<span id="Law_Academy"></span>LAW: The Law Academy prepares 11th and 12th grade students for college and career with a focus on [[justice]]. By encouraging students to challenge and reflect on their coursework in American history, American literature, and [[Pre-law]]; students develop an awareness of community and [[interdependence]]. Students will build [[analytical jurisprudence|analytical]] and problem solving skills by identifying a need or issue in a community and addressing it.<ref name="SLC-Law">{{cite web| url=http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch439/academcis/slc/law/law.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214195458/http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch439/academcis/slc/law/law.htm| archive-date=2007-12-14| title=Law Academy| access-date=2006-11-19}}</ref>
*<span id="WALC"></span>Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative (WALC): A co-curricular academic pathway started in 1998 with the goal of using education in and of the [[natural environment|environment]] to provide an alternative means to learning science, art, technology, math, and literacy. The [[Sierra Club]] provided an initial grant as part of a private / public funding initiative to help start the WALC.<ref name="SIERRA_CLUB">{{cite journal | last=Snell| first=Marilyn Berlin| title=Life Study: How Nature Nurtures Students at an Inner-City High School| journal=Sierra Magazine |date=November–December 2003 | volume=88| issue=6| url=http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200311/balboa.asp | access-date=2008-01-27| pages=36–43}}</ref> Sponsored by the [[Tides Center]], students combine wilderness experiences in environmental citizenship such as [[hiking]], [[restoration ecology|habitat restoration]], [[recycling]], or [[gardening]] with a rigorous classroom curriculum. WALC is offered to 11th and 12th grade students.<ref name="WALC-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch439/student/walc/walc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528100655/http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch439/student/walc/walc.html|archive-date=2007-05-28|title=WALC|access-date=2006-11-19|publisher=SFUSD|year=2000}}</ref>
==Extracurricular activities==
===Athletics===
The athletic programs at Balboa participate in the San Francisco Section of the [[California Interscholastic Federation]]. Female sports teams are fielded in badminton, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, fencing, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, swimming, and volleyball. Twelve male sports teams are fielded in [[baseball]], basketball, cross country, fencing, [[American football|football]], golf, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball, swimming  and [[Greco-Roman wrestling|wrestling]].
The football team achieved a 111&ndash;39&ndash;5 record between 1962 and 1977, including six wins of the annual city [[American football on Thanksgiving#High school football|Turkey Day]] title game in 1967 (11&ndash;0),1968 (9&ndash;2),1971 (11&ndash;0),1973 (10&ndash;0&ndash;1),1975 (12&ndash;0) and 1976 (10&ndash;2), led by coach Archie Chagonjian. From 1967 to 1977, the team won section or season titles 11 times.<ref name="CHAPIN">{{Cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Archie-Chagonjian-Balboa-coach-with-a-2675755.php | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202045736/http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-05-04/bay-area/17372258_1_balboa-high-school-balboa-athletic-hall-coach-for-five-seasons | url-status=live | archive-date=February 2, 2013 | title=Archie Chagonjian -- Balboa coach with 'a brilliant mind' for football | date=2005-05-04 | access-date=2007-05-18 | last=Chapin | first=Dwight | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}</ref> Beginning in the Fall of 1993 the football program at Balboa went into decline, failing to make it to the Turkey Day playoff until 2004.<ref name="SIMMONS">{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/TURKEY-BOWL-Balboa-vs-Lowell-Coach-restoring-2634031.php | title=TURKEY BOWL / Balboa vs. Lowell / Coach restoring Bucs' proud tradition / Balboa back in title game after 20-year hiatus | last=Simmons | first=Rusty | date=2004-11-24 | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | access-date=2008-01-27}}</ref> They lost to [[Lowell High School (San Francisco)|Lowell]] in 2004 but made it back again in 2005, with that year's [[Samoans|Samoan]] team members notably performing a [[haka]] dance before going on to lose to [[Abraham Lincoln High School (San Francisco)|Lincoln High]].<ref name="LOTHIAN">{{Cite news|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=2301912005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201214211/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=2301912005 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-01 |title=Hacked off by duty to indulge dancers |last=Lothian |first=Bill |date=2005-11-25 |work=[[Edinburgh Evening News]] |publisher=[[Johnston Press]] |access-date=2007-05-18 }}</ref><ref name="SIMMONS2">{{Cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/24/SPG1EFTMFE1.DTL | title=Balboa has chants for greatness / Buccaneers are physical and lyrical | last=Simmons | first=Rusty | date=2005-11-24 | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | access-date=2007-05-18}}</ref>
Another big accomplishment Balboa recently achieved in sports is the Championship Title for Boys Volleyball in 2009. They defeated Lowell in an exciting 5 games. Balboa that year had three first team all-city players and one second team all-city player.
In the 2010 season, the Balboa Cross Country team had its first major victory under the coaching of David Binkowski and Elizabeth Cossick. A 10th grade female, Isabela Bowden, took first place in the All-City meet. Her first place time was 20:44 with a mile pace at 6:42. This was the first time Balboa Cross Country placed in the top five during an All-City meet in competitive history.
===Organizations===
====Mock Trial====
The [[Mock Trial]] team is sponsored by a local law firm.<ref name="HELLER_EHRMAN">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hellerehrman.com/en/news/media/media_3324.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928124953/http://www.hellerehrman.com/en/news/media/media_3324.html|archive-date=2007-09-28|title=Balboa and Mission High Schools Compete in Mock Trial: BASF Members Coach Teams| access-date=2006-11-26| date=2006-03-06| work=The Recorder}}</ref> The team practices from September to February in preparation for [[City and County of San Francisco]] competitions held the last two weeks of February. The champion from this competition advances to the state competition in March. The state champion will then move on to the national competition in May, representing the state of California.
In 2006, it was crowned the champion of the City and County of San Francisco. Despite a 0&ndash;2 record in the first rounds, technicalities (a team's win–loss record and point percentages) allowed Balboa to move on to the semi-finals. It was then that the Balboa team defeated [[San Francisco School of the Arts|The School of the Arts]] after losing to SOTA previously in the first round. The team then went on to defeat [[Mission High School (San Francisco)|Mission High School]] in the finals. As the winning team for San Francisco, Balboa went on to represent the county at the state competitions in [[Riverside, California]].<ref name="MOCK_FINALS">{{cite web|url=http://www.crf-usa.org/law_government/state/mt_county_winners06.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034710/http://www.crf-usa.org/law_government/state/mt_county_winners06.pdf|archive-date=2007-09-27| title=2006 California Mock Trial Finals County Winners|access-date=2007-01-03| publisher=Constitutional Rights Foundation| year=2006}}</ref> In commemoration of this achievement, San Francisco District 11 Supervisor [[Gerardo Sandoval]] awarded the Balboa Mock Trial team the title of "District 11 Local Heroes."<ref name="SANDOVAL">{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/site/bdsupvrs_page.asp?id=51332|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603093904/http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/site/bdsupvrs_page.asp?id=51332|archive-date=2008-06-03| title=Certificates of Honor 2006| access-date=2007-01-03| publisher=City and County of San Francisco |year=2006}}</ref>
In 2007, Balboa lost to Lowell High School, yet defeated Mission High School to advance to the semi-final competitions. In the semi-finals, Balboa lost to the School of the Arts who would then lose to Lowell High School in the city/county championships. Balboa's record for 2007 was 1&ndash;2. 2008 had Balboa faring better in competition; the school would enter the city finals with an undefeated record, to become the runner up to SOTA as city champions.
<span id="United_Playaz"></span>
====United Playaz====
[[File:united playaz logo.jpg|thumb|left|upright|United Playaz Logo]] <!-- FAIR USE of united_playaz_logo.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:united_playaz_logo.jpg for rationale -->
United Playaz is an anti-violence and [[gang]] prevention program that seeks to stop the seeds of school violence through collaborative meetings and activities. The program was started in 1994 by former Balboa student turned gang prevention counselor, Rudy Corpuz, in response to racially motivated gang violence between Balboa students. The group is best known for fostering meetings and discussions between the school administration, community, and various adversarial student factions. These efforts were credited with turning the security situation at Balboa around by 1997.<ref name="MARTIN">{{Cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/A-Jump-Off-the-Streets-S-F-s-United-Playaz-2840320.php| title=A Jump Off the Streets / S.F.'s United Playaz gives teens a ticket to a life without gangs| access-date=2006-11-19| date=1997-05-12| last=Martin| first=Glen| work=San Francisco Chronicle |page=A-13}}</ref> The "Playaz" have hosted sports programs, [[talent show]]s, and [[field trip]]s to dissuade at-risk youth from gangs. They provide ways for students to openly discuss and express opinions on issues and tensions which unchecked lead to violence.<ref name="CHOW">{{Cite news | url=http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=d11f0463a83962c41645a14e404066cc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926232308/http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=d11f0463a83962c41645a14e404066cc | archive-date=2007-09-26 | title=Fighting Violence with Good Vibes | access-date=2006-11-19| last=Chow | first=May| date=2004-04-16 | work=[[Asian Week]]}}</ref> United Playaz was the subject of an episode on television news magazine ''[[California Connected]]'' in June 2003.<ref name="BLUM">{{cite web| url=http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/archives/104| title=United Playaz| access-date=2006-11-19| year=2003| author=Blum, Steven| work=June 19, 2003 : California Connected| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028112830/http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/archives/104| archive-date=2006-10-28| url-status=dead}}</ref>
The United Playaz collaborates with the ROOTS program, a program for students whose parents or family members are [[incarceration|incarcerated]]. ROOTS focuses on interdependence with their peers including the "Playaz."
==== DedSec San Francisco ====
The research services collective has been reportedly active at Balboa High School since January 2023. Assignment details from the 2024 Fall season <ref>{{Cite web |title=Records Request |url=https://www.dedsecsf.org/recordsrequest |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=DedSecSF |language=en}}</ref> show 3 active members (1087, 1134, 1213) and 2 operational runs (320, 322) at Balboa High School using the [[San Francisco Unified School District|SFUSD]] school site code "439" to identify the location (Balboa High School).
==Notable people==
<!-- KEEP THESE LISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
===Alumni===
{{div col}}
*[[Herbert Sigüenza]], 1976; playwright and actor
*[[McLeod Bethel-Thompson]] 2006: Professional football player
*[[Dewey Crumpler]], 1967: Artist <ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Ben |title=This Artist Painted the Black Radical Response to the George Washington Slaveholder Murals. Here's Why He Stands Against Destroying Them |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/san-francisco-mural-victor-arnautoff-dewey-crumpler-1596409 |website=ArtNet News |access-date=12 July 2019|date=2019-07-10 }}</ref>
*[[Gary DeLong]], 1958: Former [[soccer]] [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] for the [[United States men's national soccer team]]
*[[Juan Eichelberger]], 1971: Former professional [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] baseball player ([[San Diego Padres]], [[Cleveland Indians]], [[Atlanta Braves]])<ref name="BCUBE_EICHELBERGER">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/E/Juan-Eichelberger.shtml |title=Juan Eichelberger Baseball Statistics |work=TheBaseballCube.com |access-date=2007-04-22}}</ref>
*[[Rikishi (wrestler)|Solofa Fatu]], 1984: [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] Hall of Famer best known as ''Rikishi''<ref name="VARSALLONE">{{cite web| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_4/ai_88761524| title=Livin' large: there's no ifs, ands, or butts about it, rump-shaking Rikishi is the king of the WWE super-heavyweights - Special section: the heavyweight - Interview| access-date=2007-01-11| year=2002| author=Varsallone, Jim| work=Wrestling Digest: August, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040829075529/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_2_4/ai_88761524|archive-date=August 29, 2004}}</ref>
*[[Jerry Garcia]], dropped out in 1959: Lead guitarist and vocalist for the [[Grateful Dead]]<ref name="MCNALLY">{{cite book| title=A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead| last=Mcnally| first=Dennis| year=2002| publisher=Broadway| isbn=0-7679-1185-7| page=[https://archive.org/details/longstrangetripi00mcna_0/page/15 15]| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/longstrangetripi00mcna_0}}</ref>
*[[Herb Gorman]], Former professional [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] baseball player ([[Saint Louis Cardinals]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/12032/ |title=Herb Gorman Statistics |work=TheBaseballCube.com}}</ref>
*[[Cindy Herron]], 1979: Singer of the [[contemporary R&B]] quartet [[En Vogue]]. Actress best known for her role in ''[[Juice (1992 film)|Juice]]''<ref>[https://www.classmates.com/siteui/yearbooks/100107?page=33 Balboa High School, San Francisco, California 1979 Yearbook]</ref>
*[[Calvin Jones (cornerback)|Calvin Jones]], 1968: Former professional football [[cornerback]] for the [[Denver Broncos]] from 1973&ndash;1976
*[[Philip Lamantia]], dropped out in 1943: [[Surrealism|Surrealist]] poet of the [[Beat Generation]]<ref name="HAMLIN">{{Cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/philip-lamantia-s-f-surrealist-poet-2724066.php| title=Philip Lamantia -- S.F. Surrealist poet / Visionary verse of literary prodigy influenced Beats| access-date=2007-01-03| date=2005-03-11| last=Hamlin| first=Jesse| work=San Francisco Chronicle |page=B-7}}</ref>
*[[Windy McCall]], Former professional [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] baseball player ([[Boston Red Sox]], [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], [[New York Giants (baseball)|New York Giants]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/14985/ |title=Windy McCall Statistics|publisher=The Baseball Cube}}</ref>
*[[Jim McLennan]], 1950: [[NHRA]] Hall of Fame inductee, [[drag racing]] pioneer<ref name="MCLENNAN">{{Cite news | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070210/ai_n18719447 | title=Drag-racing pioneer Jim McLennan dies | date=2007-02-10 | access-date=2007-05-19 | work=[[The Oakland Tribune]] | publisher=[[ANG Newspapers]]}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
*[[Mike Norris (baseball player)|Michael Norris]], 1972: Former professional MLB baseball player ([[Oakland Athletics]])<ref name="BCUBE_NORRIS">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/N/Mike-Norris.shtml |title=Mike Norris Baseball Statistics |work=TheBaseballCube.com |access-date=2007-04-22}}</ref><ref name="YEARBOOK_NORRIS">{{cite web|url=http://kipbrockman.com/high_school/BalboaHigh/bal_72_73/page/image53.html |title=San Francisco Balboa High School Grad Pics Online 1972 1973 |access-date=2007-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104051952/http://kipbrockman.com/high_school/BalboaHigh/bal_72_73/page/image53.html |archive-date=2009-11-04 }}</ref>
*[[Richard Quitevis]], 1987: [[Turntablist]] best known as ''DJ QBert''<ref name="CHONIN">{{Cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/A-Dilly-of-a-Career-The-Bay-Area-s-Invisibl-2981806.php| title=A Dilly of a Career / The Bay Area's Invisibl Skratch Piklz have become world stars of turntablism| access-date=2007-01-11| date=1998-11-01| last=Chonin| first=Neva| work=San Francisco Chronicle |page=PK-36}}</ref><ref name="DELEON">{{cite web|url=http://www.thudrumble.com/images/headlines/RuckusMagazineArticle.pdf|title=Get on your P's and Q's : Ten Things You Don't Know About QBERT|access-date=2007-01-11 |year=2005|author=de Leon, Krishtine|work=Ruckus - Bay Area Rap Culture: July/August 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051127040538/http://www.thudrumble.com/images/headlines/RuckusMagazineArticle.pdf |archive-date = November 27, 2005}}</ref>
*[[Brandy Reed]], 1994: Former [[WNBA]] professional basketball player<ref name="BRANDY_REED">{{Cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1995/01/04/SPORTS7453.dtl | title=Ex-Balboa star Reed is out for year | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | page=B- | date=1995-01-04 | access-date=2007-05-13}}</ref>
*[[Bob Roselli]], Former professional [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] baseball player ([[Milwaukee Braves]], [[Chicago White Sox]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/17369/ |title=Bob Roselli Statistics|publisher=The Baseball Cube}}</ref>
*[[George H. Ruge]], 1939:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://legacy.sfgenealogy.org/sf/schools/baljun39.htm |title=Balboa High School Graduates June 1939 |date=1939-06-15 |website=SFgenealogy.org |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=2022-04-18}}</ref> Radio, television broadcaster and producer.  Charter member of the Broadcast Legends.<ref>[http://www.broadcastlegends.com/members.html Broadcast Legends - Membership Directory] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206162003/http://www.broadcastlegends.com/members.html |date=2008-12-06 }}</ref>
*[[George Marshall Ruge]], 1969: American filmmaker, film director, actor, writer, stunt coordinator{{citation needed|date=September 2011}}<!-- please ref that he graduated from the school-->
*[[Calvin E. Simmons]], 1972: The first African-American [[conducting|conductor]] of a major U.S. [[symphony orchestra]].  Former assistant conductor of the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]] and musical director of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra<ref name="Calvin_Simmons">{{Cite news | title=Unusual Young Musician Will Conduct ''La Traviata'' Tonight | work=[[The Fresno Bee|The Fresno Bee Republican]] | date=1974-03-01 | first=David |last=Hale}}</ref>
*[[Bob Sweeney (TV director and producer)|Bob Sweeney]], 1936: Actor, director of ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'', and producer for ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]''<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.noevalleyvoice.com/2007/June/Flo.html | title=Noe Valley Voice|date=June 2007 |access-date=2008-01-02}}</ref>
*[[Leonard Lake]], 1964: Serial killer
*[[Raymond Taft]], 1937: [[Masters swimming]] coach and medalist, inducted as an [[International Swimming Hall of Fame]] honoree<ref name="TAFT-SIMON">{{Cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Raymond-Taft-nationally-renowned-swimmer-and-2792175.php | title=Raymond Taft – nationally renowned swimmer and coach | last=Simon | first=Mark | work=San Francisco Chronicle | date=2002-07-23 | access-date=2007-09-26}}</ref><ref name="USMS">{{cite web | url=http://www.usms.org/hist/sto/index.php?ID=3 | title=Stories About USMS Swimmers | access-date=2007-09-26}}</ref><ref name="ISHOF">{{cite web|url=http://www.ishof.org/honorees/96/96rtaft.html |title=RAY TAFT (USA) - 1996 Honor Masters Swimmer |access-date=2007-09-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030114747/http://www.ishof.org/honorees/96/96rtaft.html |archive-date=2007-10-30 }}</ref>
*[[George Varoff]], 1932: Record setting [[pole vaulter]]<ref name="KAESE">{{Cite book | last = Kaese | first = Harold | title = Famous American Athletes of Today | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=D9KWpkj6XLIC | access-date = 2007-10-23 | series = 6th | year = 1977 | publisher = Ayer Publishing | isbn = 0-8369-2233-6| pages = 283–287 | chapter = IX }}</ref>
*[[Willie Wise]], 1965: Former professional [[basketball]] player with the [[Denver Nuggets]] and [[Seattle SuperSonics]]. Draft pick of the [[San Francisco Warriors]]<ref name="WISE">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wisewi01.html|title=Willie Wise Statistics|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=2007-01-04}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
===Staff<!-- KEEP THESE LISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->===
{{div col}}
*[[James Burke (wrestler)|James Burke]], 1964 Olympic Wrestler, [[USA Wrestling Hall of Fame]] coach
*[[Lloyd Leith]], 1931&ndash;1936: [[Basketball Hall of Fame]] coach and referee
*[[Kevin Restani]], 2006&ndash;2010: former professional [[NBA]] player.
{{div col end}}
<!-- KEEP THESE LISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
== See also ==
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area|Schools}}
*[[High schools in California#San Francisco County|San Francisco County high schools]]
*[[List of San Francisco Designated Landmarks]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Balboa High School}}
*{{Official website|https://www.sfusd.edu/school/balboa-high-school}}
*[https://www.sfusd.edu/ School district website]
{{San Francisco Schools}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:San Francisco Designated Landmarks]]
[[Category:Public high schools in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1928]]
[[Category:San Francisco Unified School District schools]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in California]]