City High-Middle School
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City High-Middle School is a school for academically talented students in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
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[edit] History
The school was established in 1975 by a group of parents desiring an academic program that challenged their talented students. The first location of City, as it is known among the students, was at the Grand Rapids Community College campus. Later, the program moved to their own building on a shared lot with Central High School and Fountain Elementary. In 2006, the school was moved to its present location at 1400 Fuller Avenue NE, the former site of the now-defunct Northeast Middle School.
[edit] Admissions
Admissions to City are very competitive; students are accepted based on mathematics and writing tests administered by the school, as well as teacher recommendations. Many students enroll in the feeder schools, John Ball Zoo School and Blandford Nature Center School, before coming to City.
[edit] Programs
City's curriculum is focused on the humanities. The school's courses are accelerated and advanced in comparison to other high schools in the area; the school is also notably smaller, with an average student body of about 600 students between grades 7-12.
The school offers the core curriculum classes, such as English, mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, and social studies; students can also take fine arts classes, such as drama, choir, jazz band, band or orchestra, and participate in government, debate (legislative and otherwise), broadcasting, and creative writing courses. In addition, the forensics team is very highly ranked. City's schedule is blocked, meaning it follows a 2-4-5-6 and 1-3-5-7 pattern. Mixed reports say that the school will switch to trimesters, but the principal has yet to confirm this. However, additional Advanced Placement courses will soon be coming in an attempt to keep City competitive, and the school is considering an International Baccelaureate program.
With the exception of the 7-8 grade middle school, City has no sports teams. High school students wishing to participate in sports play for the Grand Rapids public high school nearest their home, at Creston, Union, Central or Ottawa high schools.
[edit] Alumni and Trivia
- The X-Files star Gillian Anderson attended and graduated from City while she lived in Grand Rapids.
- The school's mascot is the pegasus.
