Lake Orion High School
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| Established | 1997 (Current Site) |
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| School type | Public |
| Principal | Todd Dunckley |
| Faculty | 137 |
| Students | 2,363 (2005-2006) |
| Colors Mascot |
Green and White Dragon |
| Location | 495 E. Scripps Road Lake Orion, MI 48360 |
| Information | (248) 693-5420 |
| Website | Official LOHS Site |
Lake Orion High School is a public secondary institution located in Lake Orion, Michigan. The large campus (377,756 square feet) features a centralized "commons area", which serves as a distribution center to the "wings". The commons area features the cafeteria and student store, as well as the main office. Each wing features classrooms, computer labs, student lockers, and faculty offices. It is topped by a large cone-shaped skylight (pictured at right).
The campus also features a gymnasium, natatorium, and auditorium; all of which are suitable for state-level competitions or productions. The Information Resource Center is a reconceptualized vision of a library, featuring computers, tech-ed labs, and studio classrooms.
The immediate area around the school has been developed into residential neighborhoods, but is still dominated by Bald Mountain State Park to the north, east, and southeast.
Since opening at the current location in 1997, LOHS has added close to 1,000 students to the enrollment.
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[edit] History
The previous building to house LOHS is located nearby, and is now used as a Community Education Resource Center. It is commonly referred to as the "CERC Building". Opened in 1957, it housed classes for high school students for 40 years. During the 1980s and 1990s the building became so limited in space that is eventually only served grades 10-12. Lake Orion High School was originally established on Elizabeth Street in the Village of Lake Orion.
The current site of LOHS opened in the Fall of 1997, with much of the school uncompleted as construction was behind schedule. Students began classes while construction crews completed the main entrance, gym, weight room, auditorium, parking lot, baseball fields, and natatorium. As a result, students and staff used secondary entrances and were bused to the former high school for gym classes (and the first pep rally to include all 4 classes in years).
Population growth in Lake Orion and Orion Township necessitated the construction of each school, particularly the most recent.
In 2000, LOHS was honored as a New American High School showcase site by the United States Department of Education.
[edit] Athletics
LOHS offers 24 varsity sports, and competes in the Oakland Activities Association. At the state level, the school is classified as "Class A" or "Division 1".
The grounds surrounding the school feature Dragon Stadium, which houses the football field and track. The football field is composed of FieldTurf, an artificial surface constructed to resemble grass. A separate soccer field is located next to the stadium. There are several baseball and softball diamonds, some of which feature dugouts or bleacher seating. Lighted tennis courts are located adjacent to the school. Many of these facilities are suitable for regional, state-wide, and AAU competitions.
The athletic teams are known as "The Dragons", and the mascot is of course a dragon. The "Dragons" name is used by all athletic teams at all educational levels throughout the school system. The name stems from an old legend that a dragon (seemingly similar to the Loch Ness Monster) existed in waters of Lake Orion.
[edit] Activities
Lake Orion has one of the best Marching Bands in the state who have been in the top ten within the entire state of Michigan for numerous years. The band competes at state-level competitions in which they are judged on a variety of factors.
The high school sponsores many clubs, including Forensics, Cultural Outreach, DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America), GAP (Guided Activities Program), Future Problem Solving, Generation of Promise, Key Club, National Honor Society, Robotics, SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving), and the Science Olympiad, among many others.
The school does not sponsor (but also rarely punishes students for), Senior Skip Day. Usually held the day of, before, or near the spring prom or final examinations, most senior students choose to skip classes for the day. Many seniors choose to make a day trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Teachers and administrators generally support a day of skipping, however underclassmen (if caught) could face punishment. Senior Skip Day is sometimes accompanied by a Senior Prank, which commonly includes "painting the rock" outside of the school, among other things.
[edit] Departments
- Business and Communications Technology
- Counseling and Guidance
- English/Language Arts
- Experiential Education
- Industrial Technology
- Information Resource Center (Library and Media Center)
- Mathematics
- Modern Language (Foreign)
- Physical Education and Life Management
- Science
- Social Studies
- Special Education
- Visual and Performing Arts
Technology is an integral part of the curriculum, and LOHS was named one of the top three schools in the nation in terms of use and implementation.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Andrew J. Feustel, NASA astronaut
- Ryan Goleski, professional baseball player
- Zak Keasey, professional football player
- Cynthia Watros, actress
