Mission Viejo High School

Mission Viejo High School
Location
25025 Chrisanta Drive

Mission Viejo, California
92691

United States

33°35′49″N 117°40′12″W / 33.59694°N 117.67000°W / 33.59694; -117.67000
Information
TypePublic high school
Established1966 (1966)
School district
Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Principal
Tricia Osborne
Teaching staff
70.61 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,566 (2024–2025)[1]
Student to teacher ratio
22.18[1]
Colors  Scarlet
  Gold
Athletics conference
CIF-SS; Coast View Athletic Association
MascotPablo the Diablo
Team nameDiablos
Websitewww.svusd.org/schools/high-schools/mission-viejo
Welcome screen to Mission Viejo High School

Mission Viejo High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Mission Viejo, California, United States, as part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1966. Students within its attendance boundaries live in western Mission Viejo, southwest Lake Forest, Trabuco Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Laguna Hills. Its mascot is Pablo the Diablo and its colors are scarlet and gold. 230 credits are required to graduate. It is the home to one of the only agricultural farms on a high school campus in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.

Mission Viejo High School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) school since 1985, offers an IB program for academically focused students, awarding approximately 80 IB diplomas in the 2015–2016 school year. The school has been recognized with three Blue Ribbon School Awards and six California Distinguished School honors, most recently in 2024. Its performing arts programs include a marching band that won the WBA 4A division championship in 2016, a drumline that earned multiple High Percussion titles between 1997 and 2003, and four choir ensembles. Notable alumni include golfer Mark O’Meara, Olympic swimmer Brian Goodell, astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, soccer player Julie Foudy, NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez, journalist Brianna Keilar, and MLB pitcher Patrick Sandoval.

In the 2022–2023 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,646 students and 75.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 21.8. 40.9% of students were eligible for free or discounted lunch.[1][2]

Academics

International Baccalaureate

Mission Viejo has been an International Baccalaureate (IB) school since July 1985. This program, taught to 80 students, is for academically talented and highly motivated students sponsored and administered by the IB Organization. The students who meet the IB requirements are eligible for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. This school received approximately 80 diplomas in the 2015–2016 school year.[3]

Awards and recognition

Mission Viejo High School has been awarded the Blue Ribbon School and Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education on three separate occasions, in 1988–89, 1994–96[4] and 2001–02,[5][6] the highest award an American school can receive.[7][8]

Mission Viejo High School has been recognized six times as a California Distinguished School, in 1988, 1994, 2001, 2009, 2013, and 2024.[9][10][11]

Performing arts

Marching band

The school's marching band is part of the Western Band Association. They have competed in the 5A division every year until 2016, in which they began competing in 4A and won their division at the WBA Class Championships.[12]

The drumline won High Percussion at WBA State Championships each year from 1997 to 2003, excluding 2000.[13]

The Mission Viejo High School Marching Band and Color Guard at the 2008 Calgary Stampede Parade in Alberta, Canada

Choir

The school offers four different choir classes: Concert Choir, Diablo Chorus, Treble Choir and the Chamber Singers.[14]

Sports

Mission Viejo plays in the Coast View Athletic Association for all sports except football where they play in the Alpha League[15].

Football

The school's football program has been highly successful with 2 CIF State Championships (2015, 2023), 8 CIF Southern Section titles, and 28 league championships.[16]

From 1999-2017, head coach Bob Johnson led the team team to a record of 338-97-1 and he was inducted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame in 2023. Two of his sons, Bret Johnson and Rob Johnson, coached with him.[17]

Chad Johnson (no relation) took over as head coach in 2017.

Girls Basketball

The girls basketball program won CIF Southern Section titles in 1982 and 1987.[18]

Girls Softball

The girls softball program has been very successful over the years. They were named Cal-Hi Sports Softball State Team of the Year in 2014 and 2016.[19] They won CIF Southern Section titles in 2014, 2016 and 2022. They were the runner-up in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 championships in 2026.[20]

Notable Alumni

Name Class Description
Rudy Holmes1970NFL defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons.
Mark O'Meara1975Golfer, winner of the Masters Tournament and the British Open in 1998. Member of World Golf Hall of Fame.[21]
Joe DeRenzo1976Musician and bandleader.[22]
Michael Lopez-Alegria1976Astronaut, veteran of three Space Shuttle missions and one International Space Station mission.[23]
Matt Sorum1976Drummer for The Cult, Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver.
Brian Goodell1977Olympic champion and former world record-holding freestyle swimmer. At the 1976 Olympic Games, he won gold medals in 400m and 1500m frees.[24]
Bon Thornton 1980 NBA player for the New York Knicks.
Joel L Widzer1980Author, television journalist,[25] speaker.
Ralph Saenz1983Lead singer for glam metal band Steel Panther (as Michael Starr).
Brianna Keilar 1998 American news anchor.
Rob Adams1988Actor, acting coach, owner of The Actors Workshop, football coach.
Julie Foudy1989Midfielder for U.S. women's national soccer team from 1987 through 2004. Won two Olympic gold medals and two World Cup championships.[26]
Troy Kopp1989Former Canadian Football League and Arena Football League quarterback.
Joe-Max Moore1989Professional soccer player.[27]
Preston Burpo1990MLS goalkeeper.
Megan McClung1990First female United States Marine Corps officer killed in combat during Iraq War.[28]
Scott Von der Ahe1993NFL linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts.
David Michael Farrell1995Bassist for Linkin Park.
Matt Keneley1995NFL defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers.
Brianna Keilar1998CNN correspondent.[29]
Andreas Gustafsson1999Swedish race walker.
Collin Ashton2001NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers.
Jordan Palmer2002NFL quarterback who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Co-founder of RockLive.[30]
Jed Collins2004National Football League fullback who played for the Detroit Lions.
Drew Radovich2005NFL offensive tackle who played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Nick Reed2005NFL defensive end who played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Mark Sanchez2005Former NFL quarterback.
Konrad Reuland2006Former NFL tight end for the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
Jeff Baca2008Former NFL offensive tackle.
Nick Dzubnar 2010 Former NFL linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans.
Donothan Bailey2010Former gymnast and member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team.
Tre Madden2011NFL running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
Nick Dzubnar2010NFL linebacker for the Chargers and Titans
Garrett Marino2013Canadian Football League defensive tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Chandler Hutchison2014NBA guard for the Chicago Bulls.
Noah Munck2014American actor, Gibby Gibson in Nickelodeon's iCarly
Patrick Sandoval2015MLB pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels.
Taylor McQuillin 2015 AUSL pitcher for the Chicago Bandits.
Brenden Schooler2016NFL safety for the New England Patriots
Tanner Bibee2017MLB pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians.
Olaijah Griffin 2018 NFL practice squad cornerback for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. Son of Warren G.
David Morgan2018MLB pitcher for the San Diego Padres.[31]
Jarrett Patterson2018NFL center for the Houston Texans[32]
Joey Yellen2019College football quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils, Pittsburgh Panthers, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Chapman Panthers[33]
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold 2021 Linebacker for the Cleveland Browns.
Kadin Semonza2023College football quarterback for the Ball State Cardinals and the Tulane Green Wave[34]
Dijon Lee2025College football cornerback for the Alabama Crimson Tide[35]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 School data for Mission Viejo High, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 7, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Mission Viejo High". SchoolDigger. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  3. ↑ International Baccalaureate Organization: Mission Viejo High School, accessed December 2, 2006.
  4. ↑ It's a Blue Ribbon day for six Orange County schools – EDUCATION: Two have won the nation's top honor before., The Orange County Register, February 9, 1996.
  5. ↑ Mission Viejo, Trabuco Hills highs BLUE, The Orange County Register, May 31, 2002, "The Blue Ribbon award is the third that Mission Viejo High School has received in its 35-year history. Mission Viejo received Blue Ribbons in 1988 and 1996."
  6. ↑ Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982–1983 through 1999–2002 (PDF) Archived 2009-03-26 at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 11, 2006.
  7. ↑ CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 20–06. Archived August 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005
  9. ↑ Schools take state honors, The Orange County Register, April 13, 2001, "Two Mission Viejo high schools were named California Distinguished Schools this week. It was the first recognition for 15-year-old Trabuco Hills High School and third time around for Mission Viejo High School."
  10. ↑ Distinguished School Awards: Award Winners for Orange County, accessed December 2, 2006. Archived December 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "2024 California Distinguished Schools Announced - Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  12. ↑ WBA Class Championships 4/5A 11/19/2016 - Buchanan HS Fresno CA, Western Band Association. Accessed October 3, 2017.
  13. ↑ Mission Viejo High band wins state title, The Orange County Register, November 28, 2003, "Mission Viejo High School Marching Band and Color Guard competed with 25 bands to win the Western Band Association State Championship in Fresno on Saturday. It is the first time in six years that the school band, which practices 14 hours a week, won the title."
  14. ↑ "Mission Viejo HS Choir - Home". Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Orange County football preview 2026: Alpha League". Orange County Register. August 6, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Mission Viejo High School Football | Home of the Diablos". Mission Viejo Football. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  17. ↑ "The Johnsons: Generations of Coaches, Generations of Players". archive.uscstoryspace.com. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Mission Viejo's Stringam Keeps Diablos Laughing and Winning". Los Angeles Times. January 23, 1988. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  19. ↑ Tennis, Mark. "Mission Viejo State Softball TOY". Cal-Hi Sports. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  20. ↑ "2026 CIF Southern Section Division 4 Softball Championships Softball". High School On SI. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Mark O'Meara profile". pga.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2014. As a freshman at Mission Viejo High School he made the golf team and in his junior year the team won the state championship.
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ Robbins, Gary. "O. C. Native to lead Space Station: Lopez-Alegria, among the most experienced of NASA's astronauts, will spend six months aboard.", Orange County Register, May 23, 2006. Accessed July 10, 2007. "Lopez-Alegria was born in Spain, but later moved to Orange County. He graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 1976 and went on to a distinguished career as a Navy aviator."
  24. ↑ "1976 Olympics – Montreal, Canada – Swimming" Archived 2010-12-25 at the Wayback Machine – databaseOlympics.com (Retrieved on May 2, 2008)
  25. ↑ "Joel Widzer". NBC News. February 13, 2006.
  26. ↑ "Julie Foudy profile". Women's United Soccer Association. Archived from the original on January 3, 2007. Attended Mission Viejo High School where she was a two-time First-Team All-American...
  27. ↑ "U.S. women get cheers from afar", CNN Sports Illustrated, July 4, 1999. Accessed July 10, 2007. "New England and U.S. international forward Joe-Max Moore said he graduated from Mission Viejo High School in California with U.S. women's star Julie Foudy."
  28. ↑ Ritchie, Erika I. "O.C. native dies in Iraq; The Mission Viejo graduate is the first female Marine officer killed in the war.", The Orange County Register, December 12, 2006. Accessed October 20, 2007. "McClung grew up in Mission Viejo, graduated from Mission Viejo High School, and received her officer's commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995."
  29. ↑ "`Diablo Heat' grad pursuing TV career", The Orange County Register, January 24, 2003. "Brianna Keilar had it figured out. She was working as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KIMA TV, a CBS affiliate in Yakima, Wash., and looked at bigger media markets such as Tucson, Ariz., to eventually work her way up to a job in Los Angeles or New York. But the Mission Viejo High School alumna will not be reporting from Tucson anytime soon."
  30. ↑ Hamilton, Ian (June 14, 2011). "Tips for pee-breaks during movie and Mike Tyson". Orange County Register.
  31. ↑ "Padres notes: David Morgan's unlikely path back to San Diego, Ryan Bergert figuring out role". San Diego Union-Tribune. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame, Offensive Tackle". 247Sports. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  33. ↑ Haller, Doug (June 10, 2018). "ASU football recruiting: California QB Joey Yellen commits to 2019 class". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Kadin Semonza leads Mission Viejo football to big victory over Servite". Orange County Register. August 27, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  35. ↑ Smoot, Brody (April 6, 2025). "Why Dijon Lee Jr. needs to play a key role in Alabama's defense next season". TD Alabama.
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