Emery High School

Spartan Debaters are
Going to Nationals

Amazing weekend of debate at Emery, which was hosting the Bay Area Urban Debate League national qualifier. The dynamic duo, above, Beatrice Blackwell and Brayden Livingston earned a coveted spot at the prestigious National Championships, later this Spring at the Harvard College. In addition to the phenomenal work done by the Emery pair, underclassmen, Jade Jackson and Kalaijah Walker dominated the novice division in their first appearance as a team and advances on to Open division this spring. Big ups to coach, Ms. Crichlow for the accomplishment and the achievements!

Green Team returns to work

When you put Blue and Gold together you get green. We are going to put back together the team of student ambassadors who are tasked with doing the separation of disposables after lunch. Each day we hope to recruit two student volunteers a day to distinguish between compostable, recyclable and then landfill. We will reward our volunteers with gift cards, community service hours and the satisfaction of saving the Earth. Students who comply will be in the running for all that swag and support as well.

Spartan Chefs are Cooking

We took over the cafeteria this week, and prepared three different dishes that we were able to taste (delicious!) and take home (yum!) A chocolate banana applesauce cake, an apple crisp and a winter salad. Put together under the supervision of the community group, 18 Reasons Why, we not only got to dine, but got to take our recipes home, so we can reproduce what we put together, the best ever homework assignment.

Spartan Spirit Wear on Sale

If you love being a part of Emery High now you can show the world. We just got in the best looking t-shirts, hats and swag featuring our school's unique look. Deck yourself out in support of Emery softball, soccer, basketball or cross country. With each shirt selling for $25, you can get the whole set for $100. We have hats and more gear and they come in all sizes S-M-L-XL-2XL and they are here in the front office for you to admire and then purchase. Show the world that you are an Emery Spartan

E is For Excellence

Varsity athletes are the Best. If you make it to the end of your season, maintaining grades and displaying best sportsmanship, you are in line to win a Varsity letter. This Fall, it is all about Football, Cheer, Volleyball and Cross Country. We are rooting for eligibility, work ethics and success for all the Spartans. You will recognize them by their letters.

Get into the Swing, Spartans

You know that the city of Emeryville is home to a top flight Badminton center, right? Well you do now, and Pinnacle Badminton is going to introduce interested students in the most fun court game you can play with a racquet. We are delighted to be able to offer a free hour on the court, complete with coaching to the first twelve students who sign up for this sports adventure. This is a way we bring our students to the city, and the city as close as a powerful serve to our school.

Artist of the Week: Rhianna Rodriguez finds the light

Artist of the week is Rihanna Rodriguez-Downs. Her photo represents contrast through juxtaposition. She shows this through the texture contrast of the cracked pavement in the foreground is rough, gritty, and detailed. Also, the soft silhouette of the person in the background is smooth and calm. Placing these textures side by side emphasizes the tension between harshness and stillness. Further, she uses the Human vs. Environment. The person sits quietly in an urban setting filled with utility poles, buildings, and hard surfaces. This juxtaposition highlights the individual's isolation within a structured, impersonal world.

Make someone's holiday brighter

We are delighted to provide for those who do not have this holiday season. Bring new or gently used clothing to the main district office over break and if you are going to bring food, make sure it is sustainable for long shelf life. We will be handing out goodies as long as they last, trying to make the holidays a little brighter and lighter for all of our community. Giving feels so good.

Graduation Requirements

230 Credits
A--English 4 years (40 Credits)
B- Math 3 years (30 credits)
C-Science 2 years (20 credits)
D-Social Studies 3 years (30 Credits)
E-World Language 2 years (20 Credits)
F-Visual Performing Arts 1 year (10 Credits)
G-Electives (60 credits)
Physical Education 2 years (20 Credits)

An End and a Beginning

The first part of the 2025-2026 school year is upon us. Emery High students have had a quarter's worth of learning and this week wrap up a busy launch. Athletic eligibility and honor roll lists are created out of the work done, and anyone who hopes to get off to a fast start has the rest of this week to make it happen if it hasn't already. We want you to be ready for the next significant grading period, the start of Quarter two which culminates with the end of the first semester. This is a high stakes grading period as this determines credits earned and becomes the primary part of your student transcript. Best of luck, and where luck isn't enough, get to tutoring this week as well, or stop by to learn in a more personal basis and get your best grade possible.

Emery Band makes the holiday sparkle

The holidays are even brighter when there is music, and the Emery band brought the joy to Bay Street Friday December 5th with a show that made spirits bright. Under the direction of Tom Salvatore, the band played a mix of holiday favorites and popular songs from the decades. We were thrilled to follow the Cheer Squad who pumped up everyone's spirit and got them grooving to the Emery beat

Final Countdown

We have one week left of "regular" school from December 8-12 as we ready for our semester finish. The students will have two finals a day Monday-Thursdays. The exams will have two hours allowed and your students will have early dismissal all four days while we finish up strong. Get ready to do your best to earn your credits and boost your GPA while you ready for the next semester to begin in January

Soccer Boys start the season with a win

The soccer boys are starting the season off on a winning note. The Spartans won their final game of the Thanksgiving tournament with a 4-0 shutout win. The girls got their first game in just before break, and their first goal of the season too. This week the boys have a big battle against Pinole Valley with a battle of the Spartans. The season gets going in high style and we need you here to cheer the players on to greater heights as things get intense in December.

Opportunities Grow

Our small school keeps building connections. Together with the Recreation center on site, we are having students who are passionate about anime, find like minded souls for our newest club in 2026. For those who like to view or create, this is a moment that needs to be animated

Career Ready

Starting after the holiday break is the newest way to connect school and career, Ms. Michelle, our school's vocational expert is teaching a six week course on helping students bridge that gap. Each session will focus on a different element of success--some will be on resume building, others on the small talk that one needs to get and keep the job. Others will give you the confidence to interview and then keep the job you get.

Building Career Skills at Rising Sun

We had a great time at Oakland's Rising Sun academy where young adults and older ones recreate their pathway with work in the trades as a place to be. The Spartan upperclassmen got a chance to see the interns and new hires working in the classroom (doing math!) and in the field. And many of our students had a chance to do their own work, like those working on the saw. We loved the visit and for some students, maybe a glimpse at a career opportunity

News where you're at

Emery is committed to keeping all of our students in the know. This is why we believe in Newsela, a news service that has updates on the regular, and this platform will shift the reading level to the level that matches every reading level. We are able to find world and US news, features and entertainment news and you can toggle the text to the level that best fits your reading level. The morning announcements will share a story every day, but don't let our schedule impact you--you can now get the news you need as you best access it

Make 2026 the year that Art does it right

A full calendar year of student art is the theme of the 2026 calendar for our Emery community. This is the product on sale for $20 in our main office and it features 13 unique pieces of student art. If you figure it, that's $1.50 a month to support and beautify the scene all around you. Thanks to Ms. Ruff and Ms. Crichlow who turned out the armada of artists to make this next year one we really look forward to seeing

New Club for You

The health center knows that there are students here who have the soul of a healer. This Monday and Mondays hereafter is when we start our Safety First Club. The topics will range from health care to drug awareness and prevention. We want to start some great dialogues and make Safety First and safety last.

Sew Good to Learn

Every Thursday after school, Ms. Ruff opens her classroom to parents, teachers, students and staff to master the hand skills that still kill. Learn to do crochet or use a sewing machine. That or knitting will allow you to do some home fixes, maybe delight someone with a project you created on your own or find a new passion.

Emery Cheer is going to Nationals

Emery cheer is going to Las Vegas! The JV squad took top honors at the Jamz event and advances to the highest level in February making the bright lights shine!

Final Exams throughout the week. December 15-19, 8:30-10:30 and then 11:05-1:05 pm

Emery High School Mission
Be Positive
As Spartans, we are committed to the development of positive relationships. Students and staff will work to develop relationships that create a positive school culture through mutual respect and high academic and social expectations.
We will stand together against negativity and disrespect in real life and on social media.
We will engage positively with our Spartan family, being mindful of our words and actions.

Be Purposeful
As Spartans, what we do will always serve a purpose.
We will purposefully choose our words and actions, knowing that we are working towards a specific goal.
We will be responsible for our school classrooms, culture, and community.
As staff, we are committed to providing learning opportunities that serve a purpose. Every lesson, assignment, and expectation will serve the purpose of preparing every student for college, careers, and life in the real world.

Be Productive
As Spartans, it is our responsibility to be prepared and productive everyday.
Teachers will instruct well-planned, rigorous lessons with the explicit goal of producing opportunities for new learning. Students will take advantage of these opportunities to learn, and be productive in class.
Spartans will learns something new everyday, and will produce evidence of that learning.

Dates you need to know

August 21--First Day of School
August 22--First Spartan game of the Year--Volleyball Home
August 25--Ultimate Frisbee
August 25--Bike Repair on site
August 26--Junior Class meeting
August 27--Senior Class meeting
August 27--First Collaboration Day
August 28--Sophomore Class meeting
August 29--Freshmen Class meeting
August 29--Perfect Attendance rewards
September 1--Labor Day
September 2--School Resumes