 The total amount cost to build Monte Vista was $2,013,009, Site development costing $436,505 and a building cost of $1,576,504.In early 1961 The Grossmont Union High School Board of Trustees chose the name Monte Vista, meaning "Mountain View" for the new school because of the San Miguel Mountain that dominates the landscape from the school site.Another name considered for the school was El Dorado High School.