Using our hearts and minds well.
Our School
Mission Statement: Christopher High School is a comprehensive high school whose mission is to educate (all) students to be academically proficient, innovative thinkers. Our positive environment prepares (all) students for a challenging future by encouraging them to succeed in their pursuit of excellence. We strive to facilitate academic and social growth, along with civic and social responsibility through engaging curriculum and extracurricular activities.
Vision Statement: Expecting all students to use their hearts and minds well.
Student Learning Outcomes: We, as a community of lifelong learners, strive to become:
- Communicators, skilled in reading , writing, listening, and speaking.
- Problem solvers
- Responsible, engages and respected community members
- Reflective, creative and critical thinkers.
- Members who actively participate in self-care, health and wellness.
Our School Namesake
The Christopher Family has been farming in California since the 1880s when Ole Christopher immigrated from Denmark to the Santa Clara Valley. In 1956, as the San Jose area was beginning to build up, third generation Don Christopher and his brother, Art, established the Christopher Ranch on 130 acres in Gilroy. Because Gilroy was the “Garlic Capital,” they decided to grow 10 acres of garlic along with lima beans and sugar beets.
In 1978, Don started the Fresh Garlic Association, along with other members of the industry, to promote the sale and use of fresh garlic. The following year, Don joined Dr. Rudy Malone, then president of Gavilan College, in forming the first Gilroy Garlic Festival. Don served as president of the festival from 1979 to 1981 and he continues to serve on the Advisory Committee. Today the world-renown festival draws more than 100,000 people to the three-day event.
Don was born in San Jose in 1934. He attended Oak Grove Grammar School and then Live Oak High School where he was active in sports. He went on to San Jose State University. Today he is active in the community serving on numerous boards and donating to many local charities.
Understanding the need for another high school in Gilroy, Christopher donated 10 acres of land off Miller Road and Santa Teresa Boulevard to the Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD), which intends to sell the land when the market improves to generate funds for the master plan.
Don and his wife, Karen Christopher, followed up with an additional $75,000 donation in October 2008, before the school even opened. The donation is earmarked as seed money necessary to launch many of the student activities and programs at the new four-year high school including yearbook, transportation for athletics, the student store and others.
Since 2008, the Christopher's have donated over $4 million to complete the Don Christopher Sports Complex. The endowment designated for CHS is valued over $1.9 million now!
The Christopher Family has been involved in and supported public education for many years. Don's parents, Art and Clara Christopher, were active on the Oak Grove School Board and Parent/Teachers Association. Both the Christophers and the Hansens, Don's mother's family, have had schools named after them.
Christopher Ranch is the country's #1 family-owned garlic producer, shipping more than 60 million pounds of fresh California garlic each year.
Christopher Contributions
- 10 Acres of Land - donated to GUSD to generate funds for the master plan
- $75,000 in October 2008 for Student Activities
- $716,267 Endowment donated to the Gilroy Foundation and earmarked for CHS