In 1950, the high school students of Arcadia, Duarte, and Monrovia attended the same high school, "Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School", more often called "MAD High". In 1951, with a fast-growing population, a bond measure that called for the construction on a new high school in Arcadia was proposed. After its passage, workers began construction and Arcadia High welcomed its first freshman and sophomore classes in September 1952. However, many students had to attend their first year of high school at First Avenue, the oldest school in Arcadia, erected in 1903. The new buildings were built in the next two years and by the 1954 school year, all high school students in Arcadia were together at Arcadia High.