Capuchino High School - History

History

From 1895 to 1902, all San Mateo County high school students attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Then, from 1902 to 1923, high school students in San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, and San Mateo attended San Mateo High School. In the fall of 1923, Burlingame High School opened and served students in San Bruno, Millbrae, and Burlingame. Capuchino first opened on September 11, 1950, to meet the demands of an increasing high school-aged population in the nearby communities of Burlingame, Millbrae, and San Bruno.

The physical campus, which is just over 34 acres (140,000 m2) in size, was formerly the Spanish Rancho del Capuchino. There was initially only one two-story building on the campus; by 1953 most of the campus was completed. A 1,000-seat auditorium was built in 1959, supplementing the school's little theatre. In the 1961–62 academic year, just prior to the completion of Crestmoor High School, student enrollment exceeded 1,800 and almost every available space was utilized for classrooms.

The school mascot is the Mustang. The school colors are green and gold.

In 1963, KPIX (Channel 5) filmed scenes, including a pep rally, at the school for its weekly High School Salute program. Host Dick Stewart also interviewed students and faculty in the KPIX studios during the telecast.

SMUHSD residents approved Measure D in November 2000, which authorized funding for school renovation and modernization. Capuchino has a renovated Science Wing, a new spirit court and Cafeteria building, and several new classrooms adjoining the new Administration building.

Measure M funds were approved by SMUHSD voters in 2006 which, in part, funded the construction of a new Humanities Arts and Sciences building (HASB) and Theater Remodel. In late April 2012 the brand new HASB was completed and students moved in to finish out their school year. The Main Theater as of May 2012 is still under construction.)