Hirschi High School
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| John Hirschi IB Magnet High School |
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| Established | 1962 |
| Type | Magnet school - Public Secondary |
| Principal | Mrs. Wanda Jackson |
| Students | 850+ |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | Wichita Falls, Texas USA |
| Oversight | Wichita Falls Independent School District Texas Education Agency International Baccalaureate Organization |
| Colors | Columbia Blue and Scarlet Red |
| Mascot | King the Husky Team Competition - Huskies and Lady Huskies |
| Newspaper | The Husky Howl |
| Website | http://hirschi.wfisd.net |
John R. Hirschi Math/Science International Baccalaureate Magnet High School, or commonly known as Hirschi High School or HHS for short, is a four year public high school in Wichita Falls, Texas located at 3106 Borton Lane. It is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School offering the Diploma and Middle Years Program to students wishing to pursue advanced academic study in Mathematics, Science, English, Spanish, French, History, and the Arts. Also, Hirschi, an award winning member of the Magnet Schools of America Association, offers its students hands-on instruction in aviation, studio/visual art, and nursing. Hirschi, which serves a population of 850+ students, is overseen by the Wichita Falls Independent School District and the Texas Education Agency.
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[edit] History
Recognizing the urgent need for a junior and senior high school in north Wichita Falls, benefactor and businessman John R. Hirschi turned over the ownership of property to the WFISD and in September of 1962, John Hirschi Junior-Senior High School opened for operation under the leadership of Principal A.D. Neal. During its inaugural year, students chose "Columbia Blue" and "Scarlet Red" as the official school colors and the "Husky" as the school's mascot. Even though Mr. Hirschi never saw the school completed, his daughter, Mrs. Mrytle Hirschi Ledford, remained committed to the education of Hirschi students until her death in 1994, often giving scholarships and financial assistance to deserving Hirschi students. During the late 1970s, the school surpassed its building capacity forcing construction of a new building for the junior high. The new Hirschi Junior High, which for a brief time was called Northwest Junior High, was later renamed Kirby Junior High in honor of former WFISD Superintendent G.H. Kirby. In the 1990s, Hirschi High School became an official magnet school by adding a strong math/science based curriculum to its existing one as well as a multi-million dollar technology lab on the second floor. And in 1998, Hirschi became an IB school and graduated its first diploma and certificate recipients in 2002. Then in March of 2007, the school was officially authorized as an IB World School and became one of ten north Texas high schools to offer the IB Middle Years Program along with Kirby Jr. High. Also, because of the school's close proximity to Sheppard Air Force Base, Hirschi has traditionally had a strong military presence from students whose parents are active or retired personnel. Hirschi is the third oldest high school in Wichita Falls.
[edit] Student Life
Many Hirschi students constantly balance a strong academic life with the several extra-curricular activities the school has to offer. Along with traditional student government organizations, students can participate in clubs that are dedicated to academics, community service, technology, music, and/or the arts. Due to Hirschi's flexible academic and social atmosphere, many students are also able to participate in varsity level sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, track, soccer, tennis, softball and baseball. Hirschi High School is classified as a Class 3A school by the University Interscholastic League and competes with other class 3A schools in the area in District 6-3A.The primary student newspaper for Hirschi is the Husky Howl which is a monthly publication and the annual yearbook is named "The Husky". Because Hirschi has such a small school feeling to it, students typically unite behind the "One Family, one destiny" idea and support their school, their classmates, and their teachers in any and every endeavor.
[edit] Alma Mater
- Loyal Forever
- To our Red and Blue
- This symbol of our Hirschi High School spirit true
- We love you
- Loyal Forever
- We will always be
- Mighty and fighting on to victory
[edit] Fight Song
- To the tune of Mister Touchdown, USA
- We're gonna fight, fight, fight for victory
- We're gonna shout, shout, shout for you
- Hirschi High goes down the field
- To any other team we'll never yield
- We're gonna fight until we win this game
- We're gonna make our fellow Huskies proud
- So give a great big cheer for the Heroes of the year
- Hirschi Huskies we're for you
[edit] School Awards
- Magnet Schools of America Merit Award of Excellence: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
- Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction: 2004, 2007
- Magnet Schools of Texas Merit Award: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Telly Video Production Awards: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Videographer Award: 2003, 2004
- Aegis Award: 2003
- NASA Aerospace Scholars (3): 2000, 2004
[edit] Academic Awards and Achievements
- Math Team District Champions: 2005
- Number Sense District Champions: 2003-2005
- Calculator Applications District Champions: 2005
- Number Sense State Champion: Matt McCabe, 2004
- Number Sense Team State Runner-Up: 2004
- Science Team District Champions: 2005
- American Chemical Society Area Champions (2) for the National Chemistry Olympiad
- Voice of Democracy Speech Contest Winners: 2004, 2005
- Creative Communication Essay Contest Winners: 2005
- ACT Composite Average above national, state, and local with 21.5: 2005
- Over $4,213,395 in scholarship offers!: 2005
Hirschi graduates are currently attending such schools as: University of Oklahoma, Rice University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Boston University, Colorado State University, Midwestern State University, University of Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State University, Prairie View A&M, Washington University in St. Louis, California State University, University of North Texas, Savannah College of Art and Design, Cameron University, Georgetown University, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Baylor University, and more
25% of student body taking an average of 3.5 advanced classes. 20% of seniors sit for International Exams: 92% of those students passed one or more IB exams
[edit] Teachers Awards
- Texas State Teacher of the Year 2005: Sherry Lindemann (History)
- West Foundation Teaching Excellence Award Winner 2005: Elizabeth McBroom (English)
- West Foundation Teaching Excellence Award Winner 2002 & 2004: Trevor Wildman (Chemistry)
- West Foundation Teaching Excellence Award Winner 2001 & 2004: Sherry Lindemann (History)
- Optimist Club Educator of the Year 2005: Christina Hoffmaster (Mathematics)
- ACS Outstanding Chemistry Teacher Award 2003 & 2005: Trevor Wildman
- Texoma's Best Teacher 2003: Henri Naylor (History)
- Lamar Teacher of Excellence 2003: Wayne Calhoon (Spanish)
- State TCTA President 2004-2005: Shelby Patrick (Chemistry)
[edit] Music Awards
- Big Blue Band from Huskyland - Sweepstakes Award (Superior Rating (1) in both Marching and Concert Seasons): 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007
[edit] Athletic Awards
- Boys' Swimming District Champs: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Girls' Swimming District Champs: 2003, 2004
- All-State Swimmer 2004, 2005: Jessica Wellington
- Academic All-State Soccer 2006: Sarah Shutic
- Girls' Basketball Regional Playoffs: 2004, 2005, 2006
- Softball Borger Tournament Champs and Optimist Tournament Champs: 2005
[edit] Principal Wanda Jackson
Mrs. Wanda Jackson made local history when she was chosen by WFISD Superintendent Dr. Dawson Orr in May of 2005 to become the seventh principal of Hirschi High School. Since the desegregation of Wichita Falls public schools in 1969, Principal Jackson became both the first African-American principal and first female principal of a Wichita Falls public high school. Not to mention, she is also the first Hirschi principal to be an alumna of the school. She is preceded by Dr. Robert Mobley who served in that position from 1997-2005.
