It is the largest high school serving southern Chaffee County.

[2] When Salida was founded as a railroad town in 1880, the demand for public education arose.

[3] In early 2011, plans for a new high school arose, and a bond was passed in the community with overwhelming support.

[4][needs update] SHS has won over seven state championships from CHSAA sanctioned sports and events.

For boys: football, golf, and soccer in fall, basketball and wrestling in the winter, and baseball and track in the spring.