Grants Pass High School was originally built in 1885, in a wooden building located at Fourth and C Streets. The first graduating class was in 1888. Around 1911 a new building was built at the center of the present campus on Olive Street, between 8th and 9th Streets. In 1939, North Junior High School was built next door. Various other additions to the campus occurred between 1948 and 1969, including expansions to the central building as well as numerous satellite buildings. When North Junior High School was relocated, its old campus became the English Building. In 1988, a fire destroyed the grandstands on Mel-Ingram Field and damaged the large gym. The grandstands were replaced in 1989 on the west side of the field. In 1998, the entire campus was demolished and re-constructed. The facility is now a state-of-the-art high school, complete with a performing arts center which is also used as a convention center and theater for the community. The campus is spread over approximately of land in downtown Grants Pass; the new facility was constructed to house approximately 1800 students. The school's marching band, under the direction of Jason Garcia, was named the 2010 NWAPA champions for their production "Traffic". The Marching Band and Auxiliary performed in the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by invitation on November 25, 2010, and were viewed by tens of millions of people. In 2018, they won first place championships on their production "One Step Closer". The Marching Band and Auxiliary got to perform for the 2018 Macy's Day Parade the second time.
Academics
In 2008, 81% of the school's seniors received a high school diploma. Of 448 students, 363 graduated, 49 dropped out, five received a modified diploma, and 31 were still in high school in 2009. In 2017, 72% of the school's seniors received a high school diploma, 5% lower than the state average of 77%. In 2017 the school had higher absentee rates, across all grades, than the state average.
Athletics
Grants Pass High School is a Southwest Conference 6A-6 OSAA High School. Teams include football, cross country, volleyball, equestrian, swimming, basketball, wrestling, soccer, bowling, baseball, golf, softball and tennis. Traditionally, Grants Pass exceeds in wrestling and volleyball. The swim team has placed first at the 6A district meet, and has consistently sent swimmers to the state championship. In the 2014 football season, the Cavemen went 9-0 during the regular season en route to becoming the undefeated SW Conference Champions. During that season, the Cavemen put up over 50 points on four occasions, over 70 points twice during the regular season, and over 70 once again in the playoffs. The season ended with a loss in the third round of the playoffs.
