It is part of Grossmont Union High School District.

On March 5, 2001, at Santana High School, 15-year-old Charles Andrew Williams shot and killed two students and injured thirteen other people — eleven students and two staff members.

[2] Students and faculty were evacuated to a nearby shopping center, and local businesses and churches helped to handle students and parents.

Some students said that they heard him saying, weeks before the shootings, that he was "going to pull a Columbine".

On June 20, 2002, Williams pleaded guilty to all charges against him in an effort to avoid trial.