On the fall day in 1957 that ground was broken for a new school on a 41.8-acre site at Hahman Drive and Hoen Avenue, Santa Rosa had been a one high school town for
83 years.

Jam-packed Santa Rosa High went into double sessions as work progressed on the new school way out in Montgomery Village. And in September of 1958, half of the students in the Santa Rosa High Class of ’59 reported for class at the sparkling new school named in honor of Billy Montgomery, the first GI from Santa Rosa to give his life in World War II.

Montgomery High School was born. The Press Democrat’s Sept. 14, 1958 story on that day’s opening ceremony started this way: “The dedication at 3 p.m. today at Montgomery High School marks the completion of the largest single building contract in Sonoma County history and the first phase of a multi-million dollar school building program.”

Fifty years later nearly to the day – on Sept. 13, 2008 – The Big Monty will celebrate a half century of stunning achievements and indelible memories.

For five decades, minds have been opened, boundless potential tapped and lifelong friendships forged in the classrooms and halls and on the fields of a truly great school. Come celebrate all that has happened since 1958, and help the Montgomery Education Foundation assure that the next 50 years will be greater still.