Terra Nova High School

History

Terra Nova High School was established in 1961 to serve the growing population in the Linda Mar district of southern Pacifica. Students attended from Vallemar, Rockaway Beach, Mori Point, Fairway, Sharp Park and Pacific Manor districts until Oceana High School was completed the following year.

The 2007 National Book Award finalist Story of a Girl is set at Terra Nova.

Campus

The original buildings and campus were designed by Mark Falk & Corwin Booth (of Falk & Booth). The main building originally had only two stories when the school opened in 1961. Portables were added to the rear of the school campus to accommodate the increase in students and need for more classrooms. A major facilities remodel was completed in 1998, and construction of a 400+ seat theater and a new science building began in early 2010 and was completed in 2012.

Demographics

According to U.S. News & World Report, 62% of Terra Nova's student body is "of color," with 22% of the student body coming from economically disadvantaged households, determined by student eligibility for California's Reduced-price meal program.

Academics

Curriculum

Terra Nova offers Advanced Placement courses in US History, European History, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, US Government, Language and Composition, Literature, Studio Art, Music Theory, and Calculus AB.

Standardized testing

In 2011, Terra Nova scored an API of 801, the sixth highest in San Mateo County. By 2013, the last year on record, the school had scored 792, the second highest in the Jefferson Union school district.

The state of California replaced the API system with the California School Dashboard system in 2017, in order to provide "a fuller picture of how districts and schools are addressing the needs of their students while also identifying the specific strengths and areas in need of improvement."

For the school year 2018–2025, Terra Nova scored 6.3 points above the state average in English Language Arts, but 40.4 points below standard in Math. It ranked above average for both Campus Climate - with an annual suspension rate of 5.6% - and Academic Engagement - with a graduation rate (measured by the percentage who received a high school diploma within 4–5 years of entering 9th grade or completed their graduation requirements at an alternative school) of 94.7%.

Extracurricular activities

The school's drama department stages fall and spring productions, often in collaboration with the local Pacifica Spindrift Players.

Students publish the Terra Nova Times, a school newspaper recognized by the Peninsula Press Club.

Terra Nova has also participated in the Bay Area's Quiz Kids show since its debut.

In athletics, Terra Nova offers a wide variety of sports, including football, baseball, cheer leading, badminton, cross country, tennis, track and field, water polo, swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. The football program has won multiple Central Coast Section championships.

Notable alumni

Mike Buskey, Class of 1967, former Major League Baseball player for Philadelphia Phillies

Keith Hernandez, attended during his freshman year in 1967-1968 but transferred to nearby Capuchino High School for the remainder of his high school years; Major League Baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets

Bob McClure, Class of 1970, Major League Baseball relief pitcher for seven teams, most prominently the Milwaukee Brewers

Rob Schneider, Class of 1982, actor, comedian, and screenwriter

Sara Zarr, Class of 1988, writer

Mike Lockwood, Class of 1989, professional Wrestler

Greg Reynolds, Class of 2003, the Colorado Rockies' No. 1 draft choice in 2006 (Major League Baseball), and Rockies starting pitcher in the 2008 season

Eugene Gu, Class of 2004, Physician-scientist and CEO of the Ganogen Research Institute

Simon Enciso, Class of 2009, Basketball player

Anthony Gordon, Class of 2015, Quarterback for the Denver Broncos formerly for Washington State University