Over the last two years, SSHS has received two competitive grants. The basis of the grants lie in research-based exemplary models found in documents such as Effective Schools, Aiming High, Breaking Ranks and the State Superintendent's High School Initiative.

SSHS was awarded a Specialized Secondary Program (SSP) Planning Grant from the state of California in August of 2003. The grant funds allow the staff to focus on the development of curriculum and student courses of study, and the definition, reorganization and alignment of the SSHS Schools, Academies and the Certification program to better fit the needs and interest of students. In June 2004, SSHS was awarded an Implementation Grant from SSP through SY 2005-06. Grant funds are being used to extend and expand the idea of the three schools: The School of the Arts, The School of Academics and The School Information Technology along with the ten Academies and eleven Emphasis areas, to implement an extended nine-period day Bell Schedule, and for visitations to expand additional curricular areas of study and devise new programs.

In May of 2003, SSHS was awarded a Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) Planning Grant from the United States Department of Education. This grant provided planning time and resources for a site study (academic success, curricular issues, student needs). Based on an analysis of school data and an evaluation of some gaps in student acheivement, an SLC Implementation Grant was written and received September 2004, through SY 2006-07. The SLC grant allows SSHS to focus on specific concerns within our curriculum and provides time for teachers to collaborate and to develop additional school-to career opportunities. The goals are directed specifically toward raising the expectations of academic success and fostering a supportive environment.