The Story of Don Antonio Lugo High School...

Most of the students at Don Antonio Lugo High School live in the city of Chino, which is centrally located in the western portion of the Inland Empire, in the valley below the San Gabriel Valley Mountains. Chino was incorporated as a city in 1910. Chino’s rich agricultural history dates back to the Spanish land grant forming Rancho Santa Ana del Chino. The area once specialized in orchard and row crops and was the number one dairy area in the United States. The City’s motto, “Where Everything Grows” originally referred to this agricultural beginning. Today it applies to growth in families, business and the strong sense of community.

The city of Chino has held on to many of the cultural and agricultural contributions of early Spanish, Mexican, Portuguese, Scandinavian and Basque immigrants through events such as the Portuguese Fair, the Basque Picnic, Cinco de Mayo, the Chino Fair and the Highland Games, which have been held in the past. Don Antonio Lugo High School itself was named after one of Chino’s early Spanish founders and the school mascot is a conquistador, which means Spanish or Portuguese conqueror.

In the last two decades, Chino has transitioned from a rural to a more urban community. It is a well-established residential and commercial area with diverse neighborhoods and demographics. According to the most recent census report, the cities population in 2010 was 77, 983. The population in 2014 was estimated at 84, 723.) Residents represent the ethnic and cultural diversity that is characteristic of Southern California.

Don Antonio Lugo High School (DALHS) is located in the southwestern end of the city of Chino and in the western most portion of San Bernardino County. It was founded in 1972 as a ninth grade school to accommodate the impacted enrollment at Chino High School. Each subsequent year, a new class was added until 1980 when Don Antonio Lugo High School became a comprehensive 9th – 12th grade school. Mr. McMurtry was the founding principal of Don Lugo High School and in year 2, Mr. Dan Garner became the principal and was principal for many years.

Since its inception, Don Lugo has offered a variety of programs from excellent academics, sports, music, student leadership to agriculture. Also, Don Lugo has always had an involved and committed faculty evident by the annual faculty vs student game that is still played annually.

Beginning in the 70’s, the Don Lugo student body demonstrated itself to be conquerors (conquistadores) of the world through their involvement and passion to be the leaders of their community. As Don Lugo entered the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, the fashion may have changed, but the commitment to excellence has remained strong. 

Don Lugo has continued to grow and change with a population that is diverse and reflective of the community we serve. Don Antonio Lugo High School has a strong tie to the surrounding community and many longstanding traditions. Many of the present student body have parents who were graduates of Don Antonio Lugo High School; in addition, several staff members are alumni of Don Antonio Lugo High School. For nearly 50 years, Don Lugo has created a culture where all students have the ability and the possibility to develop the necessary skills for post-secondary education and higher-level career opportunities. Don Lugo has a wonderful history thanks to our faculty, students and families...with many amazing years to come.