De Anza High School is a secondary school in Richmond, California, United States, named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza. It is part of the West Contra Costa Unified School District and serves northeast Richmond, the unincorporated communities of El Sobrante and Rollingwood, and a small portion of San Pablo.
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History
The school originally opened in 1955. In 2005 local voters passed Measure J, a bond measure which included $161 million to completely rebuild the De Anza campus. Reconstruction began in 2009 with a new all-weather track and artificial-turf football field, along with the demolition of the gym and other site preparation work. The new facility was opened for the start of the 2013 - 2014 school year.
The school offers four specialized course tracks intended to prepare students for a specific career, known as academies. The academies offered are health, information technology, law and JROTC. There are also many student-run clubs at De Anza, which range from clubs founded based around a shared interest like anime to clubs intended to support minority populations at the school.
Notable alumni
Brian Abshire (1982): 1988 Olympian in the 3000 meter steeplechase; former USA indoor 3000 meter record holder
Joel Beck (1961): early "underground" comic artist
Jeff Becerra (1982): Vocalist and former bassist of death metal band Possessed
Greg Bracelin (1975): former NFL player
Ken Burrow (1966): NFL player, Atlanta Falcons, 1971
Les Claypool (1981): Primus bassist and lead singer
Kirk Hammett (1980): Metallica lead guitarist
Frank Lockett (1985): NFL player, Miami Dolphins
Locksmith (Davood Ali Asgari) (2002): rapper and member of former duo The Frontline
Silkk the Shocker (Vyshonn Miller) (1994): No Limit rapper and member of TRU