Rutherford High School (Florida)
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| Rutherford High School | |
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| Established | 1961 |
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| School type | Public |
| Principal | Mr. Michael R. Kennedy |
| Location | Panama City, FL, USA |
| Students | 2,000+ |
| Faculty | 100+ |
| Mascot | Ram |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| Website | [1] |
[edit] Overview
Rutherford High School, "Home of the Rams," opened its doors in 1961 with a single class of Sophomores. RHS became the second high school that opened in Bay County, Florida. A new class each year was added and held their first graduation in 1964. Currently in 2006, Rutherford has a student population of approximately 1750. Rutherford High is considered to have the best diverse student population and career-oriented educational programs of all Bay County, Florida schools.
This comprehensive high school offers many opportunities for all students. Rutherford High School is host to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Health Occupations Specialist Academy (HOSA) and the Communications and Technology Academy (Com/Tech). In addition, this establishment offers Advanced Placement (AP), dual-enrolled courses and Honors level courses for all students. Extracurricular activities available include all sports, service clubs, SGA, FCA, and many more.
Rutherford High School is a "B" grade school for the second year in a row under Florida's A++ Plan. The theme for the upcoming 2006-2007 school year is "Going from Good to Great!" The goal is to become an "A" school and to help all of our students meet the No Child Left Behind requirement for annual yearly progress.
The school is named after the renowned physicist Ernest Rutherford.
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[edit] Rutherford's Alma Mater
- Rutherford, our Alma Mater,
- Keep thy spirit bright
- And may our knowledge,
- Be our armor
- As we praise thee high.
- For thee we will honor
- In years that we stand by
- And strive for thee our Alma Mater,
- New heights to attain.
- So sing we all our Alma Mater,
- Rutherford we hail!
Written by P.D. Melder
[edit] Background
Rutherford offers students in the Bay District Schools system the choice to pursue an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Comprehensive and balanced curricula, coupled with challenging assessments, have established Rutherford as a unique institution in the arena of international education. In addition, this high school offers more themed academies than any of the other schools in Bay County.
Graduation rates in core courses have been rising as of 2003. Although, reports of violence and crime are high, with a large number of resultant in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
Rutherford also has one of the best bands throughout Florida. "The Pride" has earned 39 consecutive 'Superior' ratings under the direction of Mr. Rodney Dasinger as a result of outstanding marching and concert performances.
[edit] School Statistics
Bay district schools have a 91% graduation rate. The Florida average is 71%. Bay District Schools also receives less funding on an average of $350,000 per school while the Florida average is $450,000 per school. Rutherford high school made 374th best school in America on Newsweek top 500 schools and offers one of the best IB (International Baccalaureate) programs in the state.
[edit] Educational Programs
[edit] IB Program
International Baccalaureate (IB) began its authorization on campus in 1992. Rutherford High School's IB Program serves as a Magnet Program for the Bay County School District. In the June 2, 2003 edition of Newsweek Magazine, Rutherford was named as one of the top 4% of the high schools in the United States.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is designed to meet the highest standards required of any high school student in the world. Successful completion of the Diploma Program earns the student a diploma recognized for university admission throughout the world, and for course credit and academic placement at over one thousand leading colleges and universitites in the United States.
The IB Diploma Program is a system of syllabi and examinations based on the idea that the general education at the upper secondary level should encompass the development of all the main powers of the mind through which the student interprets, modifies, and enjoys his/her environment.
IB Classes (11th and 12th grade) are offered only in six concurrent academic areas, Lanuage A1: (First Language) including the study of selections from World Literature, Language B: (Second Language) or second Language A, Individuals and Societies (Social Sciences), Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts and Electives. Pre-IB courses are also offered in all subject areas for 9th and 10th grade.[2]
Rutherford's IB Coordinator: Mrs. Karen T. Brown
[edit] PEP Curriculum
PEP (Personal Educational Plans) was initiated in 1994. PEPs are career-oriented curriculum arrangements that are geared to the personal needs of each student. Rutherford High has undertaken a program designed to help students explore career goals. At the heart of every student’s personal education plan are the “core” courses which are required for graduation and/or college entrance. By choosing a PEP, students will focus on specific career-oriented courses with teachers interested in that career to advise and oversee the students’ progress toward graduation.
Each student’s schedule within a PEP could vary somewhat depending on the specific career being prepared, the student’s interests and abilities. Most programs are designed for a two or three year curriculum, some PEP courses involve off-campus laboratory training offered at Tom P. Haney Center. Juniors may be involved in half day programs and seniors in whole day programs. Gold Seal Vocational Scholar and Florida Academic Scholar endorsements are also available.
PEP Programs listed:
- ACADEMY OF FASHION MARKETING
- AEROSPACE INSTITUTE
- AQUAQUEST
- BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY
- COTTAGE INDUSTRIES/SMALL BUSINESS
- COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
- CULINARY ARTS
- ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
- FINANCE
- GENERAL CAREER EDUCATION
- HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
- INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
- LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREERS
- MARKETING AND BUSINESS OWNERSHIP
- PEOPLE HELPING PROFESSIONS
- RUTHERFORD ACADEMY OF MUSIC
- SPORTS RELATED OCCUPATIONS
- VISUAL ARTS
- RHS/HANEY PEPs
[edit] Student Life
[edit] RHS Organizations
Academic Team, Aerospace Academy, Anchor Club,Anime,Aries(Yearbook), Avatar, Band, National Beta Club (National Honor Society), Cheerleaders(Varsity), Cheerleaders (Junior Varsity), Chess club, Choir, CIA (Christians in Action), ComTech(Communications Technology), Debate, DECA (organization) (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Etude(Band Organization), FBLA-PBL (Future Business Leaders of America), FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), FEA, Film Society, Freshman Class, Golden Girls, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), IBSC (International Baccalaureate Student Council), International Thespian Society, Islam, Junior Class, Key Club, Leadership, Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society), NHS (National Honor Society), PEP Club, Peer Mediation, Rampage(School Newspaper), RSGA (Student Government Association), Science Club, Senior Class, Sophomore Class, Spanish Club, SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), WRAM(School News & TV),Writing guild, and YTY.
[edit] Traditions/Honorable Mentions (Past/Present)
- Bay High School and Mosley High School rival football games
- Pride Ride police escort to all home football games
- Consecutive District and County Champs titles
- Faculty Talent Show
- The "Real" Mosley Homecoming
- Homecoming Parade on School Avenue
- Homecoming Bonfire
- Rolling of the “R” archway to centerfield during homecoming halftime
- Incoming Homecoming Queen is crowned by previous year’s Queen
- 1995 Homecoming Queen Sapna Palep (National 4.0 GPA Homecoming Queen)
- Mole Day Celebration (Annual Chemistry Class Celebration)
- See You At The Pole
- Annual Calendar Girl (sponsored by FBLA)
- Jerry “Juicy” Samuel’s football jersey, framed in Administrative Office
- Senior “Skip” Day
- MTV Spring Break, Panama City Beach
- Tommy Oliver Stadium
- Rambunctious (the only living Ram mascot)
- “Fish Fry”
- “Ram Pride”
- “Go Rams!”- Ernest Spiva, Jr.
[edit] Athletics
Beginning Months Of Sports Seasons:
- FALL - Cross Country (Aug.), Football (Aug.), Swimming (Aug.), Volleyball (Aug.), Golf (Aug.).
- WINTER - Basketball-Girls (Oct.), Basketball-Boys (Oct.), Wrestling (Oct.), Soccer-Boys (Oct.), Soccer-Girls (Oct.), Weightlifting-Girls (Nov.).
- SPRING - Baseball (Jan.), Softball (Jan.), Tennis (Jan.).
Rutherford's Athletic Director: Mr. Kirk J. Harrell
[edit] Notable Alumnus
- Yolanda Mayo (1995 Alumni/1999-2000 Miss FAMU (Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University)
- Ryan Fleming (1997 Alumni/Student Athlete at University of Georgia)
- Will Witherspoon (1998 Alumni/Pro Football Player/Super Bowl XXXVIII Carolina Panthers/St. Louis Rams)
