OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1921 as Tustin Union High School, serving five elementary districts, Tustin High originally featured a stately two-story building surrounded by miles of orange groves and agricultural businesses—hence the mascot, the Tustin “Tillers.” In 1966, the school was rebuilt as a sprawling one-story campus to better withstand major earthquakes.
Our football stadium was built around the 440-yard track in the mid-1940s. It was later named “Northrup Field” in honor of Orville Northrup, who taught woodshop and physical education at Tustin High School and served as Principal from 1941 to 1962.
Today’s campus includes a renovated Plaza and Stage, a new Humanities Building, Science Center, Sports Pavilion, and Northrup Field. The Special Education, Math, and Social Sciences Wings, as well as the Little Theater, Library, Cafeteria, and Administrative Offices, have also been updated within the past 15 years.
We sincerely thank the Tustin community for supporting the Measure G and Measure L bond measures, which funded these improvements. Every day, our staff and students are inspired by the university-like atmosphere right here in the City of Tustin.
Located on 38 acres in the heart of Tustin, the campus houses the Tustin Unified School District football stadium, two baseball fields, two softball fields, two multi-use fields for football, soccer, and lacrosse, six tennis courts, a 440-yard track, two gymnasiums for basketball and volleyball, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
On July 1, 1972, the Tustin Union High School District merged with the Tustin Elementary School District to form the Tustin Unified School District. Recently recognized as a California Distinguished School in 2024, Tustin High has also been recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top high schools in the United States.
