Fort Lauderdale High School
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| Fort Lauderdale High School | |
| Home of the Flying Ls | |
| Established | 1899 |
| School type | Public |
| Principal | Dr. Gina Eyerman |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Enrollment | 1,679 |
| Colors | White and Blue |
| Homepage | Official website |
Fort Lauderdale High School is one of the oldest continuously functioning high schools in Broward County, Florida.
Founded in 1899, it was the only high school in the 68 mile stretch between Miami and West Palm Beach. In 1915 tourist trade increased in Fort Lauderdale, which boosted the population of residents in the county. In a land slide vote, the county decided to construct a new school that was able to accommodate more students. In 1915, Fort Lauderdale High had their first graduating class of five boys. In 1963, Fort Lauderdale High moved from its original downtown location to its present location on Northeast Fourth Avenue.[citations needed]
The school is home to numerous magnet programs, including one of the states most prominent pre-law programs and the Advanced Studies Institute, a program which allows students to follow an AP and Honors level-track which places them in sophomore standing their first year of university. Recently, a third magnet was added: the Cambridge Program, sponsored by Cambridge University.
Ongoing construction has been taking place at the school, updating many of the older buildings, while building a new three story classroom building and is currently working on the county's first two story cafeteria.
Contents |
[edit] Awards
Principal Dr. Gina Eyerman, named Principal of the Year by the Florida Association of Student Councils
2nd consecutive year on Newsweek's Top 1000 High Schools
[edit] School mascot
Fort Lauderdale High School is infamous in Broward County for its somewhat awkward mascot, the "Flying L": a large winged blue "L" with an arrow through its center. Originally the school mascot was known as "The Fort Lauderdale L". However, at the 1917 state track meet, a reporter from the Miami Herald remarked "Look at that Flying L". The following week, the town of Fort Lauderdale voted on nicknaming all of the schools sports teams "The Flying L's".
[edit] Athletics
The Athletic Program began in 1915 with only two male sports, Fort Lauderdale High now provides the students with eleven varsity sports for males and ten varsity sports for females. The school also offers four junior varsity sports for males and five junior varsity sports for females to participate in. In 1917, FLHS won their first state championship in Track, which is where the unique mascot was derived. Over the years the athletic program has accumulated fifty-nine state championships, which puts Fort Lauderdale High in the lead over all other Broward County schools.
[edit] Demographics
The schools has 1728 students enrolled, making it one of the smallest high schools in Broward County. The school is 65% black, 22% White, and 10% Hispanic.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Dr. Mark M. Mills, nuclear scientist
- Sandy Nininger, the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II
- Catherine Hickland, soap opera actress
- Scot Shields, professional baseball player
- Rita Mae Brown, Author
- Tiffany Fallon, 2005 Playboy Playmate of the year
