Milwaukie High School dates back to 1907. Originally constructed in 1925, the oldest portion of the three-story building that houses the school today is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Milwaukie. The school's first mascot, the Maroon, fell into disfavor with students because of its similarity to the word "moron." The student body voted on a new mascot and as a result the mustang was chosen. In 2005, the school added the Milwaukie Academy of the Arts to its campus. This charter school operates in conjunction with Milwaukie High School's main campus to offer a full course catalog. The school focuses on integrating the arts into core school subject areas.
Reconstruction
In 2008, the JC Lillie Center for the Arts, the school's performing arts center, underwent a major esthetic and structural renovation, which included a redeveloped entrance and courtyard, remodeled auditorium, and a notoriously faulty sound system. In June 2018, the main campus of the school was demolished to make space for a new academic building. Construction of the new structure started in early September 2018, and is scheduled for completion in August 2021. The new facility will address many the previous structure's issues, including overcrowding, and safety concerns. The new facility was designed by the IBI Group and and is being constructed by Skanska. Until the campus redevelopment concludes, students will practice academics in modular structures located on the school's football field, which will be renovated once the academic building reopens and the structures are removed. The school unofficially named the temporary academic structures "Mod City".
Since 1996, Milwaukie High School has annually hosted the nationally recognized Living History Day. On this day thousands of veterans are welcomed into the school to help educate students about past wars, and provide first-hand accounts of military experiences. Unfortunately, this was cut in 2010 to lack of funding and staffing reductions.
Academics
In 2014, out of 260 seniors, 220 graduated, for an 83% graduation rate.
Athletics
Milwaukie High School has competed in the Northwest Oregon Conference at the 5A classification since 2010. The dance team, the Pony Prancers, won first place in their division at the OSAA State Championships in 1986, 1996, 2011, 2012 and 2016. The Mustangs have two state wrestling titles. 1973 and 1984.
