School History
Opened at its present site in 1941 as part of the Los Angeles Heights School District, which merged with the SAISD in 1949.
Named after William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) who was a stage and motion picture actor, vaudeville performer, American cowboy, humorist, newspaper columnist, and social commentator.
Will Rogers was born on November 4, 1879 in what would become Oologah, Oklahoma. Will originally learned how to use a lasso working on the family ranch raising Longhorn cattle. He became so good at using the lasso he was actually in the Guinness Book of World Records for using three lassos at one time. He used this talent in his shows in the Wild West shows. He started adding jokes to his shows, and soon he became more famous for his humor than his roping skills.
Will took a job as a cowboy on a cattle drive right after 10th grade. He never finished school, but he made sure he never finished learning. In fact, he learned so much he eventually became a radio broadcaster, a movie star starring in over 70 movies, a writer published in 4,000 syndicated newspapers and writing 6 books.
He was a generous man, giving money to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as helping them raise money.
Will traveled the world and loved flying. On August 15,1935 Will Rogers died in a plane crash on a flight to Alaska.