The Opening of Tesoro High School

24 years ago, Tesoro High School was opened in Las Flores, California. Designed to accommodate the rapid population growth of the surrounding communities, planning for Tesoro began in the late 1990s as the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) designed modern facilities focusing on student success.

The school started with just one building for classrooms (what is now the 100-500 halls), a library, and an office. There were no fields, gym, locker rooms, or cafeteria. A trailer in the back of the school was used as an interim cafe. 

The school started with just 9th and 10th graders. The 9th graders were zoned to the school, making them a larger share of the student population. On the other hand, the 10th graders were given the choice between their current school, their 9th-grade school, and Tesoro. There were around 30 teachers for the almost 800-student population of the school, and both figures rapidly grew in the following years.

In terms of sports, there were no Varsity teams: just JV and Frosh. Due to the lack of sports facilities, students were bused off campus for practices. Tesoro was part of no set league, so they freelanced their matches. 

Tesoro High School also emphasized a college-preparatory curriculum from the very beginning. Advanced Placement (AP) courses and honors tracks were developed early, and by 2004, the school had earned recognition for its academic rigor.

One of Tesoro’s standout features from the beginning was its focus on the performing arts. Under the direction of dedicated faculty, Tesoro’s choir, orchestra, theater, and instrumental music programs quickly gained acclaim. The Tesoro choir program, in particular, would go on to earn regional and national recognition within its first few years.

In June 2004, Tesoro High School celebrated a major milestone: its first graduating class. The graduation ceremony was held on campus, and the event was attended by hundreds of families, faculty, and community members, all celebrating the students and the school’s launch.