It was established in 1859, making it one of the oldest continuously operating school systems in the State of California.
Several "small learning communities," each with a distinctive program, have been created at the district's three high school campuses to better serve students.
The members of the first School Board, organized in 1864, were William Meek, John Lewelling, and A. E. Crane.
In 1902 the original school building was replaced by a two-story wood structure, which in 1928 was destroyed by an arsonist.
Its replacement, a two-story brick building, was quickly built in 1929 but was declared unsafe for students in 1952 because it was not earthquake-proof and had no fire escape.