Emerald High School

In the 2010s, Dublin was the fastest growing city in California. Enrollment in Dublin Unified School District increased 92% over that decade and by approximately 4,000 between 2014 and 2024, and the district has opened several new schools. Emerald High School is the district's second high school; it also has a continuation school. It is the first comprehensive high school built in Alameda County since the opening of Foothill High School in Pleasanton in 1973. After a committee had chosen three finalists from among community suggestions for the new school's name, on August 18, 2020, the school district board unanimously chose "Emerald High School". The school was originally projected to open in fall 2022, but instead opened to students the 2023-2024 school year with the first freshman class, and classes began in the 2024-2025 school year, opening with both freshman (9th graders) and sophomores (10th graders). In the 2025-2026 school year, Emerald welcomed freshman (9th graders), sophomores (10th graders), and juniors (11th graders). They will have seniors in the 2026-2027 school year, meaning that the Class of 2027 is the first to graduate Emerald High School. ==Opening==

The first freshman class of Emerald High School students studied on the campus of Dublin High School during the 2023–2024 academic year, primarily in portable classrooms. and a ribbon-cutting on June 8, 2024; it opened to freshmen and sophomores for the 2024–2025 academic year, on August 13, 2024. Expected enrollment in the first year is 950, in 42 classrooms; ==Facilities==

The campus encompasses on the east side of Dublin. It includes two academic towers, an administration building, library, visual and performing arts center, student center and wellness center, gym, and sports field. The Catherine Kuo Performing Arts Center will be completed by April 2027. ==Athletics==

The school's teams are the Aerouants, dragon-like Celtic folklore monsters, and its colors are green, blue, and white. In its first year, the school competed independently; starting in 2024–2025, it competes in the Bay Valley Athletic League, whose other schools are in Contra Costa County. At opening, the school's facilities included a gym, eight tennis courts, and a weight room with rowing machines; a swimming pool is to be added. A shortened version of the mascot, and referred to often, is Aeros. ==Controversy==

The initial mascot of Emerald High School was selected to be a Serpent, receiving the most votes from middle school students from Fallon Middle School and Cottonwood Creek K-8. However, shortly after the Serpent mascot was announced, multiple parents protested against the mascot. Parents, reasoning that the Serpent was considered a bad omen in many traditions including East Asian, South Asian, and Christian cultures. As a result, the Dublin Unified School District changed the mascot to the Aeroaunts in early 2023, before the school's official opening. Furthermore, Emerald High School has been labeled as having an overly toxic and stressful competitive environment, similar to many Bay Area high schools. Student cite the feeling of constantly worrying over academics, and an unhealthy "rat-race" and comparative mindset. This view has increased since the death of three students from the inaugural graduating class. Grieving students are given resources at the campus wellness center and throughout the district, however the use of the services are unknown. As a growing school, students, staff and community volunteers have been proactive in providing a balanced high school experience through their Associated Student Body leadership, multiple clubs that service many hobbies beyond academics, and promoting spirit through their sports and music programs. ==References==