The 1980s brought a new wave of thinking to Redwood, from the Young Socialists Club to student exchange programs to a growing obsession with video games.

In the ‘80s, Redwood began to offer many new electives.  The P.E. program started classes such as weight training, jazz dance, team sports and jogging. Other classes saw changes as well — Home Economics was opened to males. The Environmental Education program, combining social studies and English, made a comeback after a one year absence.

Computer savvy individuals were needed in the work force as computers became one of the most popular class during that timeframe.

Another alternative type of learning was called Redwood International Student Exchange (R.I.S.E).  The program sent Redwood students to Europe, Australia, and Japan and hosted many foreign exchange students here in the states.

Sports dominated and the Redwood Rugby Club won back-to-back national championships in 1981 and 1982. The girls’ cross-country team made it to the state finals in 1989. Multiple standing track records were set during the ‘80s, including the girls’ high jump and long jump records.

The first phase of campus beautification began in 1982 and continued throughout the decade. The Environmental Action Club and others volunteered to work to reduce the cost of labor.

Politics made their way to the high school scene through the Young Liberals Club and Young Socialists Club.  The Young Liberals Club made its debut in 1988 and quickly took action protesting the reversal of the 1973 law that legalized abortion.

In a controversial nation, the Young Socialists Club handed out pamphlets dispelling the notion that socialism was the same as communism.

One highlight of the ‘80s was video games. Pacman, Donkey Kong, Pong, Space Invaders, and Frogger were all released during the decade and are still played today. For those who preferred to game at home, Nintendo and the computer games like Asteroids and Star Castle were some of the top choices.