Española Valley High School (EVHS) is a Title-1 public senior high school of the Española Public Schools District, located in Española, New Mexico. Nearly 3/4 of the student body is made up of Hispanic students. The school is located within the city limits in Fairview, a small suburb community in the southern part of Rio Arriba County. EVHS also serves the communities of Alcalde, Velarde as well as the northern part of Santa Fe County, including Chimayo, Santa Cruz, and Sombrillo. EVHS also attracts commuter students from other school districts and neighboring towns such as Dixon, Pojoaque and Santa Fe. For 2016–17, the student enrollment was 1,150 students. The school's athletic teams are referred to as the Sundevils, which is also the school's mascot. History Española was founded with the introduction of the railroads in 1880; with the railroads came an influx in population, private education existed until 1905, when the county saw a demand for public education. Two high schools opened, Santa Cruz High School just right out outside of Española in 1908, and Española High School opened in downtown in 1920. The schools were located on opposite sides of the Rio Grande. Although both schools were operated by the same school district, administrators believed merger of schools was cost effective and the best decision for the city. Months later construction of EVHS school began, the location for the new school was on the El Llano mesa, on Española's east side. Doors opened to 10–12th graders in the fall semester of 1975 to over 950 students. The first graduating class was 1976, Merce Villareal was the first principal. While the new campus was under construction sporting events remained at the old Española High School due to a lack of funds. In 1979 a new sports complex was finally complete at the new high school campus along with the gymnasium, known today as Edward Medina Gymnasium. Service area In addition to Española, it serves: Sections of Rio Arriba County, including: Abiquiu, Alcalde, Canova, Chamita, Chili, Dixon, El Duende, Hernandez, La Mesilla, La Villita, Los Luceros, Lyden, Medanales, Ohkay Owingeh, Pueblito, San Jose, Santa Clara Pueblo, Velarde, and a portion of Ojo Sarco Sections of Santa Fe County, including Chimayo, La Puebla, Rio Chiquito, Santa Cruz, Sombrillo, and a portion of El Valle de Arroyo Seco Academics At Espanola Valley High School, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at EVHS in