A Brief History

Dr. Will C. Crawford Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School Districts July 1, 1934 to February 1, 1954

Will C. Crawford High
1957 to 2007

It was April 27th, 1958, when the Official Dedication was held at Crawford High for the opening of the new school. The school was named after Dr. Will C. Crawford, Superintendent of the San Diego Unified Schools from 1934 to 1954. The dedication ceremonies at Crawford High School included, Mrs. Will C. Crawford, the widow of the late Dr. Crawford, student leaders, school officials and community representatives. In attendance was Dr. C. Trillingham, Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Schools. Trillingham said, Crawford “served his state and nation with dignity and distinction.” “No higher honor can be bestowed an American citizen than of naming a public school after him.” Trillinghan added, “in honoring Will Crawford, you honor yourselves.”

The School was accepted for the community by Mrs. Mary McMullen, the schools first Principal, and also by the President of the Will C. Crawford Parent Teacher Association, Mrs. Merle Smith. Three Crawford students spoke at the dedication. They were, Michael Kilpatric, Carolyn Meyers and Marion Bruha.

The dedication of San Diego newest high school, Will C. Crawford High at 4191 55th Street was made by Dr. Lowe, the then President of the Board of Education. He said, “the school not only is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Crawford, but also to the youngsters it will graduate and to the community and the nation they serve.” At the time the high school was built, it was considered to be on the eastern border between the City of San Diego and the cut-off point of San Diego County. Today, Crawford High School is definitely in the city of San Diego and in the community known as El Cerrito.

As we fast forward today, we see that the former high school has evolved into a global high that is a diverse educational complex, made up of four schools on the one campus site. Erected in 1957, the Crawford Educational Complex is a comprehensive school serving 1,500 students. According to the California Department of Education statistics, Crawford is the most diverse high school in the state.

*Photograph of Dr. Crawford is courtesy SDUSD Communications Department
**Research sources included the San Diego Unified School District, the San Diego Historical Society and the San Diego Main Library.