Principal’s Message

Dear Raider Families,

Welcome to Southwest High School (SOH), and home of the Raiders. I am excited that you are a member of our Raider community. Our mission states: The RAIDER WAY contributes to an equitable environment that provides a rigorous, relevant and restorative campus where all the Southwest High School stakeholders: staff, students and parents share a collective responsibility to ensure each student is equipped with 21st Century skills to achieve college and career readiness at grade level literacy. We have an unwavering belief that all Raider students could achieve grade-level academic and social success. That is our goal in the four years that your children are with us.

SOH offers a plethora of academic opportunities and extracurricular activities designed to provide learning experiences that encourage them to deepen their love of learning. Completing our rigorous core curriculum program, SOH offers flagship programs that include our California Partnership Academies in Eco-Engineering and Biomedical Pathways. Additionally, we offer a diverse Career and Technical Education Program that boasts a robust VAPA program, which includes a Dance Pathway, Mariachi, Photography, Art and Digital Media Production. Other CTE offerings include Sports Medicine, Auto Shop (the only one left in the district), and Culinary (the only one in a comprehensive high school in the district). Moreover, SOH offers a robust Advanced Placement program that includes an AP Capstone Diploma. Finally, we offer Dual Language program to promote biliteracy skills for our students.

We encourage all students to participate in extracurricular activities, either in athletics, clubs or before-and-after school programs (ASSETS). We believe that students who participate in these opportunities are more resilient as they form a community circle that provide additional support in high school. Our athletics program has grown tremendously in the last 15 years that boasts a strong program for female athletes. SOH is one of the few schools in the district that has met the Title IX burden of having equitable access to athletics for females. Additionally, our ASSETS program is extremely popular among students who want to make the most of their school experience. Our program includes leadership, athletics, gaming, college access and field trips activities. Finally, our Associated Student Body promotes events, activities and club participation to ensure that all students feel and know they have a place in our community.

It is my hope that your children and you will have a memorable experience at SOH. Know that, as your principal, I am available to talk to you via email and in person. I am also active on social media. Please follow me on Instagram: soh.principal. I look forward to an amazing journey with you.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Finley

Connectedness ~ Responsibility ~ Achiever ~ Learner ~ Belief