Grandview High School (Colorado)
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| Grandview High School | |
| School type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1998 |
| District | Cherry Creek School District |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Principal | Dr. Harry Bull |
| Students | 2651[1] |
| Athletics | 5A |
| Athletic Conference | Centennial League |
| Colors | Blue, Black, and White |
| Mascot | Wolf |
| Location | 20500 E. Arapahoe Rd. Aurora, CO 80016 |
| Information | 720-886-6500 |
| Website | http://www.ghs.ccsd.k12.co.us/ |
Grandview High School is the second largest high school in the Cherry Creek School District, with approximately 2,800 students. Grandview opened in 1998 as CCSD's fifth high school, built to accommodate a population boom the district's growing southeastern region. Grandview is located in Aurora, Colorado and sports the wolf as its mascot.
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[edit] History
The process to plan and complete the school that would become Grandview began in the mid 1990s, when it became clear that another high school in the eastern part of the Cherry Creek District was needed. During the 1995-96 school year a committee of teachers, administrators, parents and students gathered to meet with architects to design the blueprints for High School 5. In January of 1997, Linda Fox formally accepted the assignment as the founding principal. By March of that year, groundbreaking at the site began and a cadre of coordinating teachers were hired to create what would become Grandview High School. Mrs. Fox, Associate Principal Harry Bull, bookkeeper Sherry Andrews, and secretary Vickie Davis settled into Rolling Hills elementary in a nearby neighborhood to spend a year preparing to open a new high school. The cadre joined them in the evenings and then full time in January of 1998.
One of the most important aspects of planning "High School 5" was community involvement. To this end, numerous meetings were held over the months, beginning in January of 1997. According to Terry Conley, Executive Director of High Schools, one clear message from parents was that they "wanted students to have a competitive edge upon graduation." From this, the Mission Statement evolved: To inspire academic achievement, responsible citizenship, and individual development in a supportive environment.
With this goal in mind, it was time to choose a name, colors, and a mascot. In the fall of 1997, three names for the high school were submitted to the school board, with Grandview garnering the highest recommendation. In the winter of 1997-98, the school colors were chosen. Black, teal, and purple had the greatest number of votes until a student brought a photograph of Duke athletes in uniform to a community meeting. The entire group changed their vote to blue, black and white which became Grandview's colors. Choosing the mascot proved more difficult. Wanting a mascot that made "good tracks," the Let's Get Started" committee recommended the wolf over a hornet or diamondback.
As the year progressed, staff was hired, curriculum decisions were made, and the school was built. On August 3, 1998, Mrs. Fox received the keys to the building. With semi-trailers lined up to unload all the furniture, parents came to help assemble desks and ensure that the color-coded furniture made it to the right wings of the school. Books were unpacked, computers were set up, and the staff began to move in.
On August 24, 1998, Grandview proudly opened its doors to 830 ninth and tenth grade students.
[edit] Theatre
Along with many other student programs that add to the positive atmosphere at Grandview High School, many students are involved in Theatre. Grandview Theatre has produced several musicals and plays since the school opened in 1998. Over the years Grandview has produced several plays and musicals including Guys and Dolls, Les Misérables, West Side Story, Taming of the Shrew, Brigadoon and Godspell.
Grandview has a 746 seat auditorium for these productions.
[edit] Academics
The school's Advanced Placement program offers dozens of AP classes from United States History to Calculus BC to Physics C.
[edit] Athletics
Grandview offers most standard varsity sports, but has achieved notable success with its cheers and pom pons teams. Math teacher Karl Mimmack also coaches a year round club Ultimate Frisbee team which he lead to the Colorado State Championship in 2005.
