The school opened in 1997 with a class of freshmen and sophomores, and added juniors the following year and seniors after that, graduating its first class in 2000.[2] It was the second comprehensive high school built in the Temecula Valley Unified School District, after Temecula Valley,[3] and was constructed at a cost of $36 million.[4] The puma was chosen over the cougar for the school mascot, and platinum was chosen for a school color instead of flat silver.[5] It was also named a California Gold Ribbon School in 2017.[6][7]
The school became the subject of media attention after it cooperated with the local police in orchestrating an undercover drug sting which resulted in the arrest of an autistic teenager.[8]
According to U.S. News & World Report, 66% of Chaparral's student body are minorities, with 30% of the student body coming from economically disadvantaged households, as determined by student eligibility for California's reduced-price meal program.[9]
Athletics
The school's construction included an Olympic-sized pool, to be shared with Temecula Valley High.[10] Puma athletic teams compete in the Southwestern League.[11] The football team won a CIF championship in 2009.[12]
Performing arts
CHS fields two competitive show choirs, the mixed-gender "Platinum FX" and the all-female "Dynamics". The school also has an all-male group, "Forte".[13] The program also hosts an annual competition.[14]