Española Valley High School (EVHS) is a Title-1 public senior high school of the Española Public Schools District, located in Española, New Mexico. Nearly 97% of the student body is made up of minority enrollment.
The school's athletic teams are referred to as the Sundevils, which is also the school's mascot.
History
Española was founded with the introduction of the railroads in 1880; with the railroads came an influx in population, private education existed until 1905, when the county saw a demand for public education. Two high schools opened, Santa Cruz High School just right out outside of Española in 1908, and Española High School opened in downtown in 1920. The schools were located on opposite sides of the Rio Grande.
Although both schools weren't operated by the same school district, administrators believed merger of schools was cost effective and would end a bitter rivalry between both schools. Months later construction of EVHS school began, the location for the new school was on the El Llano mesa, on Española's east side. Doors opened to 10–12th graders in the fall semester of 1975 to over 950 students. The first graduating class was 1976, Merce Villareal was the first principal.
While the new campus was under construction sporting events remained at the old Española High School due to a lack of funds. In 1979 a new sports complex was finally complete at the new high school campus along with the school's large gymnasium, known today as "Del Valdez Court at Edward Medina Gymnasium", it is the largest High school gymnasium in New Mexico.
Service area
In addition to Española, it serves: Sections of Rio Arriba County, including: Abiquiu, Alcalde, Canova, Chamita, Chili, Dixon, El Duende, Hernandez, La Mesilla, La Villita, Los Luceros, Lyden, Medanales, Ohkay Owingeh, Pueblito, San Jose, Santa Clara Pueblo, Velarde, and a portion of Ojo Sarco Sections of Santa Fe County, including Chimayo, La Puebla, Rio Chiquito, Santa Cruz, Sombrillo, and a portion of El Valle de Arroyo Seco
Academics
At Espanola Valley High School, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at EVHS in almost every subject. There are over 27 elective classes offered to students including concurrent enrollment at Northern New Mexico College.
Since 2011, a student is required 24 credit hours to graduate.
Torch award
EVHS Students who have earned a 3.5 GPA yearly and involved in extracurricular activities (including athletics), are awarded the Torch Award. The award is the most honorary award of its kind at EVHS. It was created by then Principal Bruce Hopmeier in 2005.
Administration and student body
Principals
Student statistics
Extracurricular activities
Athletics program
Española Valley High School competes in the New Mexico Activities Association, they are classified as a 5A school in District 2 along with: Albuquerque Academy, Capital High School, Del Norte High School and Los Alamos High School.
Throughout its history, Espanola Valley competed in 4A (until early 2014), capturing three state championships in various sports, and eleven individual state champions. In 2007, the school set a New Mexico High School record for major NCAA scholarships for 10 graduating seniors. In 1989 and 2002 the school was voted by the NMAA with the Sportsmanship Award.
Boys basketball
The Sundevils captured the state title in the 2011 season as the #2 seed, defeating Goddard High School (55–52).
In 2016, EVHS won its second basketball title, defeating rival Capital High School (36–34) as the #4 seed.
Rivalries
EVHS has maintained a rivalry with Los Alamos High School in most competitive sports since opening. Other rivals include Capital High School for basketball.