Fort Myers Senior High School
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| Fort Myers High School | |
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| School type | Public |
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| Established | October 19, 1911 |
| District | Lee County School District |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Principal | David LaRosa |
| Colors | Green and White |
| Mascot | Green Wave/Tsunami Sam |
| Location | 2635 Cortez Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33901  United States |
| Website | Fort Myers High School |
Fort Myers Senior High School, (also known as "FMHS"), is a public school in Fort Myers, FL, USA. It was opened October 19, 1911, making it one of the oldest schools in the state of Florida, and the oldest in Lee County. It is managed by the Lee County School District. The enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year was 2200 students.
Many previous principals of Fort Myers High have gone on to hold leading positions in the Lee County School District, including the current Superintendent of Lee County School District, Dr. James Browder, and Director of Student Services, Richard Shafer.
Fort Myers Senior High School offers the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Vocational, Honors and general education classes. Additionally, FMHS is the only school in Southwest Florida with an Academy of Finance program. In addition to the educational programs, the school has thirty FHSAA athletic teams for both young men and women.
Fort Myers High School is home to several Nationally Board Certified teachers and several past winners of the prestigious Golden Apple award, given to six of Lee County's finest teachers by the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
The graduating Seniors from the 2004-2005 school year amassed over $5 million in scholarships. The graduating seniors from the 2005-2006 school year raised the bar for the future of Fort Myers High with their scholarship awards totaling in excess of $7 million dollars, including several "full rides" to prestigious schools.
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[edit] Reputation
Academically, Fort Myers High School has recently been ranked among the top of America's high schools by Newsweek magazine, due to the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests it administers to students every year. In the 2004-2005 school year, the school was ranked the 62nd best school in the United States; in the 2003-2004 school year, it ranked as the 32nd best. Newsweek claims that their rankings indicate which schools are America's "best;" however, some argue that the use of this qualifier is misleading.[1] In an effort to clarify what the rankings actually mean, the Washington Post chose to state that the rankings actually denoted not the "best" American high schools, but rather the "most challenging" American high schools.[2]
The Fort Myers High School marching band recently made national and international news after the school Superintendent James Browder decided not to allow the marching band to participate in the London New Year's Day Parade (participation by invitation only.) Dr. Browder cited safety and terrorism concerns, leading to condemnation from around the world including then Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Parade officials responded by releasing a statement to the media urging tourists boycott Lee County, highlighting that the crime rate is significantly higher than in London and the area is prone to hurricanes. In a rare exception, the Lee County School District voted to overturn Dr. Browder's decision, and put the decision to the parents of the band students. The parents voted to send them to London by a large majority.
In the 2004-2005 school year, the Fort Myers Senior High School mathematics team placed twentieth in the Nation in the 2004 Ciphering Time Trials contest.
Notably in athletics, the 2004-2005 school year, Fort Myers Senior High School had the second most district wins in the state. In the 2005-2006 school year, Fort Myers High School's football team went undefeated throughout their entire regular season.
It should also by noted that Fort Myers has a reputable JROTC battalion. It's Drill Team has won the Florida State Drill Meet twice, in 2004 and in 2006, the only school in the county to achieve this feat.
Fort Myers is also recognized throughout the county for its superb in-school news show. The show provides information on clubs, sports, and general areas of interests to the students. The show has a wide array of anchors, most notable among them being Frank Myslicki, Margaret Bastar, Matt Norman, and Andy Francis.[3]
[edit] Rivals
Cypress Lake High School: (The Panthers) The Cypress Lake High School Varsity football team has only ever won four games against the Fort Myers Green Wave, most recently on Friday, September 8th, 2006. Their recent win broke a 23 year losing streak.
North Fort Myers High School: (The Red Knights) North Fort Myers High School is without a doubt the Green Wave's biggest rival. Football games between the two teams are usually very crowded, nearly alway selling out. The Varsity Football game between North Fort Myers and Fort Myers, which took place on October 27th 2006, was covered live by ESPNU.
Bishop Verot High School: (The Vikings) The Bishop Verot Varsity volleyball team is a significant rival for the Fort Myers Lady Wave Varsity Volleyball team, and the Green Wave Varsity Basketball team, who plays the Vikings yearly at the City of Palms Classic. Recent games between the two teams have become quite intense, with several students suspended over arguable events.
[edit] Notable alumni
The school has produced several notable alumni:
