Incoming Freshmen - High School Life 101
Welcome to High School Life!
Starting high school is a big adventure—and we’re here to help you make the most of it! From sports teams and clubs to get involved in, to fresh, delicious meals served every day, there’s something for everyone. Need a ride? We’ve got buses that travel all over town. Stay on top of your grades and attendance with the Aeries portal, and keep in touch with everything happening at school through ParentSquare.
High school is full of opportunities—let’s make it awesome together!
Every Day Life
- Food - Fresh Eats, Every Day
- Getting to School: Bus Transportation and Foggy Day Schedules
- Parent/Student Portal - Stay on Top of Your Progress with Aeries
- Stay Connected with ParentSquare
- Good to Know Info
Food - Fresh Eats, Every Day
Good news! Every student gets one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day—just head to the cafeteria and show your student ID card or ID number to enjoy a fresh, delicious meal.
Our Food Services team has traded in the old-school cafeteria vibe for a modern food court atmosphere, where the focus is on serving wholesome, tasty meals with a variety of choices to keep things fresh and exciting. Our meals are a big hit amongst students and staff. Some of the meals you'll see at lunch are:
- Spicy Chicken Sandwich
- General Tso's Chicken Bowl
- Tacos Al Pastor & Rice
- & so much more!
Don't believe us? Check out our menu for this week here. Again, each student can get one free breakfast and one free lunch every day.
Want extra snacks or specialty items? Parents can load money into your account through SchoolCafe, a system that makes buying from the snack bar easy. Families of incoming freshmen will get more details about setting up a SchoolCafe account over the summer.
Off-Campus Lunch
If you’re dreaming of lunch off-campus, you’ll need to wait a bit! Only 11th and 12th-grade students with the right eligibility can enjoy this privilege.
We’re all about good food and great choices—so come hungry and enjoy!
Getting to School: Bus Transportation and Foggy Day Schedules
Bus Routes
Our buses travel all across Hanford to make sure students get to school safely and on time. You can find our current bus routes here. In the summer, school sites will reach out for families to complete data confirmation. In this process, parents will be able to indicate if their student plans to ride the bus so we can plan efficient routes.
Foggy Day Schedule
During foggy weather, we sometimes need to adjust our schedule for safety.
We use ParentSquare to notify families when a Foggy Day Schedule is in effect. You can also call 559.583.5909 or check Channel 18 for updates. Here’s how the foggy day plans work:
- Plan A: Buses delayed 1 hour – School starts at 8:55 a.m.*
- Plan B: Buses delayed 3 hours – School starts at 8:55 a.m.*
- Plan C: Morning buses canceled – School starts at 8:55 a.m.*
- Shuttles between Hanford High, Hanford West, and Sierra Pacific start at 8:30 a.m.
Foggy Day Schedules are announced on a daily basis and are not reversible once called.
Our Transportation Department carefully monitors fog conditions using local reports and firsthand observations to decide whether a foggy day schedule is necessary. The safety of students is always the top priority.
Remember, even if buses are running, your family should decide if it’s safe to drive in foggy conditions. Safety comes first! If you’re late or miss school due to fog-related concerns, your absence will be excused—just make sure your parent or guardian calls the office or sends a note that same day.
We’re committed to getting you to school safely, no matter the weather!
Parent/Student Portal - Stay on Top of Your Progress with Aeries
Want to check your grades, attendance, and test scores? The Aeries Student and Parent Portal is the place to go! It’s different from ParentSquare—which we use for school announcements and messages—because Aeries gives you real-time access to important academic info.
- Students will learn how to log in and use their Aeries account when school starts.
- Parents will receive information over the summer about setting up their parent portal account.
With Aeries, you’ll always know how you’re doing and what’s coming up—so you can stay on track for success!
Stay Connected with ParentSquare
ParentSquare is our main communication tool for all things school-related—events, announcements, attendance, and more. But it’s not just one-way communication! Parents and students can easily send messages to teachers and staff directly through ParentSquare.
Another great feature? ParentSquare automatically translates messages to your preferred language, making it easier for everyone to stay informed and connected.
From quick updates to personal messages, ParentSquare keeps communication simple, clear, and effective!
Good to Know Info
- In the summer, you'll receive details about walkthrough. Walkthrough is where students get schedules, take school pictures and more. Look for information via ParentSquare around July.
- In this digital age much of our curriculum is online. All incoming freshmen will receive a chromebook at walkthrough. This chromebook will stay with the incoming freshman all throughout their high school career.
- Each school site has a multitude of mental health resources, such as social workers and psychologists and a wellness center where students can find a safe space. Learn more here.
- Each school site has a school nurse to help with a student's physical health. Learn about medications at school, immunization requirements and more here.
- You can find bell schedules here
- You can find school calendars here
- You can find campus maps here
School Clubs
General Information
Ready to make new friends and have some fun outside of class? When you fill out your registration form, you’ll find an Interest Survey where you can share which clubs and activities catch your eye!
Filling out the survey doesn’t sign you up for any clubs (yet!), but it lets club advisors know you’re interested so they can reach out with info when the new school year kicks off.
Don’t worry if you’re still deciding—at the start of the school year, we’ll have Club Rush! It’s a big event where you can explore all the clubs, meet other students, and find the perfect fit for your interests.
Get ready to get involved and make your high school experience unforgettable!
Hanford High Clubs
Below is a list of clubs available at Hanford High School. To find more information about clubs & activities as well as contact information for the Hanford High Activities Director click here.
- Academic Decathlon
- Aerospace
- Art Club
- Associated Student Body (ASB - Student Government): Incoming freshmen must apply here. If accepted, will serve as an elective. See here for course information.
- Black Student Union
- California Scholarship Federation
- Choral Club
- Drama Club
- Fellowship of Christian Students
- Future Business Leaders of America
- Gay Straight Alliance
- HOLA
- Interact Club
- S-Club
- Salad Bowl Multicultural Club
- Visual Voices
- Yearbook: See here for course information.
Hanford West Clubs
Below is a list of clubs available at Hanford West High School. To find more information about clubs & activities as well as contact information for the Hanford West Activities Director click here.
- Academic Decathlon: Promotes an educational experience where students compete in academic competitions against other AcaDeca teams.
- Associated Student Body (ASB - Student Government): Encourages school pride, promotes democratic self-government, and defines, regulates and monitors student activities. Incoming freshmen must apply here. If accepted, will serve as an elective. See here for course information.
- Anime: Discusses, shows, and promotes anime in a local community setting that focuses on broadening Japanese culture understanding.
- Band: Promotes musical education and provides opportunities for students to travel & perform in competitions and festivals, and to observe other music venues.
- Body Improvement SWOLE: Lifting weights, improve your health & flexibility.
- Black Student Union: Encourages unity through activities promoting the cultural growth of people of African descent.
- California Scholarship Federation: Fosters high standards of scholarship, service and citizenship. Emphasizes service to school and community and pride in scholarship. Students qualify based on grades/courses.
- Choir: To advance the art of choral singing and provide students with performance opportunities through various events, festivals and community service.
- Christian Club: Students share and support common beliefs and improve the community through volunteering.
- Climate Club: To find ways to educate our community on the impact of climate change and to beautify our campus and community with volunteering.
- Color Guard
- D&D Club: In D&D Cub, we create fantastic characters and go on exciting adventures.
- E-Sports: Provides an environment on campus for students with an interest to engage and participate in Esports.
- Future Farmers of America (FFA): Develops leadership, citizenship, and cooperation through a four-year program that includes public speaking, judging teams and student involvement in community activities and development.
- Gay Straight Alliance: Aims to create a safe, welcoming and accepting environment for all youth regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Medical Academy: Promotes career opportunities in health care and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.
- Latin Dance Club: Students will enjoy exploring dances from many different Central and South American countries and cultures. All are welcome to come and participate regardless of previous dance experience.
- Link Crew: A high school transition program that welcomes freshmen and makes them feel comfortable throughout their high school experience.
- M.E.Ch.A.: Exposes students to Chicano/Mexican culture.
- M3: Marketing, Management, and Merchandising Club is dedicated to academic excellence, student participation, citizenship, community involvement and an educational vision.
- Musical Theater: To advance the art of Musical Theater and provide students with performance opportunities through an annual Fall Show and Spring Musical.
- National Honor Society: Creates enthusiasm for scholarship and stimulates a desire to render service and promote worthy leadership and encourage character development.
- NJROTC: Promotes knowledge of the sea, Navy, health science, history and government.
- Poetry Club: The poetry club is about relaxing and having fun with language reading favorite poems from a broad variety of poets, and writing original pieces to share with others.
- S-Club: Youth organization of Soroptimists, a service club that promotes volunteerism. Students volunteer with outside agencies promoting the community and club.
- Skills USA: To unite in a common bond, students enrolled in classes with vocational trade industrial, technical and health occupation objectives.
- Student Academic Achievement: Provides after school tutoring and mentoring opportunities.
- Tri-M: Band Club
- Ukulele Club: Know how to play the ukulele, want to learn or just want to jam.
- World Language and Culture Club: Explore foreign language and cultures through music, food, film and media.
- Yearbook: Takes part in taking pictures and creating the High School yearbook. To see course information click here.
Sierra Pacific Clubs
Below is a list of clubs available at Sierra Pacific High School. To find more information about clubs & activities as well as contact information for the Sierra Pacific Activities Director click here.
- Academic Decathlon: Academic Decathlon is a ten-subject competition in which nine-member teams challenge themselves to learn material to outperform teams from other schools in the county. Teams are composed of students who represent all GPA's. Decathletes are usually competitive, curious, and good test takes. They enjoy challenges and learning (though possibly not homework).
- Adventure Club: For students interested in outdoor adventure activities like hiking, skiing, etc.
- APUSH: To explore ideas and concepts related to history in a more in depth manner.
- Art & Animation Club: To give students a creative outlet as well as a space to work/learn about art and animation and give them a chance to meet other students with similar interests.
- Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
- Associated Student Body (ASB - Student Government): Encourages school pride, promotes democratic self-government, and defines, regulates and monitors student activities. Incoming freshmen must apply here. If accepted, will serve as an elective. See here for course information.
- Black Student Union: To inspire, educate, organize, and active black youth at SPHS and in the community.
- Book Club: To work on observational and literacy skills with teachers and peers.
- California Scholarship Federation (CSF): CSF is the state's oldest honors society recognizing and promoting academic achievement, leadership, and community service for 100 years. Students must apply at the beginning of each semester to maintain active membership based on their grades in the previous semester. Our chapter focuses on community service and college preparation events.
- Campus Life: Campus Life is an opportunity for students to discuss teen issues and hear from local youth pastors while eating some pizza.
- Chess Club: Serve as a fun way to enhance strategic abilities. Will consist of core check types, chess training, actual chess games, and other mind games.
- Choir/Musical Theater
- Culture Club: To educate students about the different cultures of the world
- Dungeons & Dragons: To create a safe and creative space for the discussion, analysis, and enjoyment of the best game in the world.
- FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America
- Gay Straight Alliance: We welcome who may not be welcomed by their peers and family.
- Heart of the Growl: Out goal is to create the best student section in the valley.
- Interact Club
- Key Club: Key Club's goal is to encourage leadership through serving others.
- Portuguese Club: Promote awareness and appreciation for Portuguese culture.
- S-Club: Promote and encourage community service (on and off campus)
- Skills USA
- SPHS Friends of Kings County Animal Services: To work with Kings County Animal Service TNR Program to help the overrun stray cat population by carrying out TNR missions, raising funds, spreading awareness, and generally providing support.
- STEM Club: To promote and educate STEM
School Sports
General Information
Ready to make new friends and have some fun outside of class? When you fill out your registration form, you’ll find an Interest Survey where you can share which sports and activities catch your eye!
Filling out the survey doesn’t sign you up for any sports (yet!), but it lets coaches know you’re interested so they can reach out with info when the new school year kicks off.
Don’t worry if you’re still deciding—at the start of the school year, schools will advertise sport try-outs at the beginning of each season.
Things to keep in mind if you are interested in sports:
- Only students who are eligible may participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports. You can read about our eligibility policy in the Student & Parent Handbook here.
- All students interested in sports must have their parent/guardian register in Family ID. Family ID is a secure registration platform that provides you with an easy, user-friendly way to register for our athletic programs. Incoming Freshmen Families should note - they can't register until August.
- All student athletes must have a physical before being able to participate. The physical form can be found here.
Hanford High Sports
Below is a list of sports available at Hanford High School. To find more information about athletics as well as contact information for the Hanford High Athletic department click here.
Hanford High Fall Sports
- Boys Water Polo
- Cross Country
- Girls Golf
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Water Polo
- Football
- Volleyball
Hanford High Winter Sports
- Boys Basketball
- Boys Soccer
- Boys Wrestling
- Girls Basketball
- Girls Soccer
- Girls Wrestling
Hanford High Spring Sports
- Baseball
- Boys Tennis
- Softball
- Swim & Diving
- Track
Hanford West Sports
Below is a list of sports available at Hanford West High School. To find more information about athletics as well as contact information for the Hanford West Athletic department click here.
Hanford West Fall Sports
- Boys Water Polo
- Cross Country
- Girls Golf
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Water Polo
- Football
- Volleyball
Hanford West Winter Sports
- Boys Basketball
- Boys Soccer
- Boys Wrestling
- Girls Basketball
- Girls Soccer
- Girls Wrestling
Hanford West Spring Sports
- Baseball
- Boys Golf
- Boys Tennis
- Softball
- Swim & Diving
- Track
Sierra Pacific Sports
Below is a list of sports available at Hanford High School. To find more information about athletics as well as contact information for the Hanford High Athletic department click here.
Sierra Pacific Fall Sports
- Boys Water Polo
- Cross Country
- Girls Golf
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Water Polo
- Football
- Volleyball
Sierra Pacific Winter Sports
- Boys Basketball
- Boys Soccer
- Boys Wrestling
- Girls Basketball
- Girls Soccer
- Girls Wrestling
Sierra Pacific Spring Sports
- Baseball
- Boys Golf
- Boys Tennis
- Softball
- Swim
- Track & Field