About Valencia High School
Valencia High School was established in 1933 as the first of four comprehensive high schools (Valencia, El Dorado, Esperanza and Yorba Linda) in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. Valencia High School’s student enrollment of over 2,500 is currently the largest in the district.
Academically, Valencia’s achievements continue to be impressive. Every year, many Valencia seniors earn the elite status of National Merit Finalists and Commended Scholars. Valencia High School is recognized as an academic competition powerhouse with Orange County Academic Decathlon, as well as Science Olympiad, Mock Trial, FBLA and Chemistry Olympiad teams that are among the top in Orange County. Valencia’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is the top IB Program in the county, based upon completion rate and diploma recipients. VHS now proudly offers the prestigious Cambridge AICE International Diploma as yet another high-level academic curriculum with a global focus. Additionally, our ValTech program provides students with STEM and CTE experiences that prepares them for success in the 21st century. Valencia is also an AVID National Demonstration School dedicated to helping hundreds of students become first generation college students.
Valencia’s seniors are consistently accepted to the top Ivy League schools including Princeton, Brown, Cornell, Harvard, Columbia and Yale. Other prestigious universities including Stanford, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Duke, Emory, Fordham, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, NYU, Penn State and Vanderbilt have been the destination for many Tiger graduates. Valencia seniors attend prestigious local universities including Chapman, Claremont McKenna, Loyola-Marymount, Pepperdine and USC. The UC system is receiving an influx of Tigers in the fall with many of the students attending Berkley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. Valencia graduates will also be represented at 20 different Cal State schools and VHS continues to be one of the top feeder schools to Cal State University Fullerton.
We are proud of the athletic achievements of our Valencia Tigers. During the 2021-22 school year, VHS athletics captured five Empire League championships - Girls Cross Country and Tennis and Boys Soccer, Tennis and Swim. Our Tiger teams and individuals had 15 CIF postseason appearances, including a CIF champion female wrestler, a tennis duo who won the prestigious Ojai Tournament and a deep playoff run in girls basketball.
The arts continue to be valued and thrive at Valencia as students take the PYLUSD advantage to develop their talents in our award winning Drama, Marching Band, Drumline, Color Guard, Jazz Band, Choir, Orchestra and Dance teams. Our programs were recognized by the Orange County Register with the top Instrumental Music Artist of the Year each of the past two years.
And finally, let’s not forget that Valencia Tiger school spirit continues to soar under the servant leadership of ASB students as they log in countless hours promoting activities and serving the school community.
BRADFORD STADIUM
Bradford Stadium is home to the Valencia High School Tigers. The Stadium is named after Warren Bradford, son of Placentia founder, A.S. Bradford. Warren donated the land for the track and field and helped raise money to build the original stadium in 1949. Since June 2008, Bradford Stadium has undergone major changes beginning with the installation of a synthetic football/soccer/lacrosse field and a new synthetic track. The renovations also included the relocation of the scoreboard, new discus and shot put areas, new interior security fencing, lighting and sound system. In January 2010, work began on new homeside bleachers, which included a new press box and handicap seating areas. The work was completed in time for the start of the 2010 football season. Visiting team’s fans were welcomed to Bradford Stadium in 2011 with new bleachers. New team rooms were put in place for the 2012 season with concession stand and restroom renovations completed for the 2014 football season. The 2015 season brought a new turf field.