James S. Rickards High School

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James S. Rickards High School
Image:Rickardslogo5.JPG
Motto New heights and rising!
Established 1960
Type Public coeducational secondary
Principal Dr. Pink Hightower
Students 1118
Grades 9–12
Location Tallahassee, Florida USA
Colors Blue and gold
Mascot Raiders
Website http://www.rickards.leon.k12.fl.us/

James S. Rickards High School is a public high school in Tallahassee, Florida. For the 2004-2005 school year, the Florida Department of Education gave the school a C rating after its students scored poorly on standardized tests in reading and math. However, it was ranked 115th in Newsweek's list of 1,000 top high schools, due to the huge number of AP and IB exams taken by some of its students. Currently, 1,118 pupils are enrolled, and the school is undergoing construction of a new office wing.[1]

Rickards High School, aerial.
Rickards High School, aerial.

Rickards has hosted an International Baccalaureate program since 1994, creating a culturally diverse mix of students and a varied ethnic focus. The school has many programs that demonstrate cultural diversity and equality, one of which focuses on traditional dance and clothes.

The school's mascot, originally the Rickards Redskins, was changed to the Rickards Raiders in 2000 because of controversy over the term redskin and its racial connotations. The school colors are blue and gold.

Rickards is notable for its award-winning Mu Alpha Theta and National Junior Classical League teams, as well as its marching band, which is heavily influenced by the FAMU "Marching 100".

Contents

[edit] Vision

"To provide students with a caring, supportive learning environment that allows them to reach their maximum potential through quality programs, instruction and experiences."

[edit] Mission statement

"To produce graduates with skills and competencies to succeed on local, state, national, and international levels and who are responsible, self-supporting, and productive members of our society." 08 do not hate 08 do not hate.

[edit] Administration

Principal: Dr. Pink Hightower

Assistant Principal: Mr. Allen Burch

Assistant Principal: Mr. Jonathan Grantham

Assistant Principal: Ms. Carolyn Dixon

I.B. Coordinator: Dr. Sue Newman

Dean of Students: Mr. Ricky Ardley

[edit] Merit in Musicianship

[edit] Marching Band

James S. Rickards High currently has an exceptional marching band, known for their unique high-stepping style.

[edit] Other

James S. Rickards High also has a noteworthy symphonic band.

[edit] Achievements in Mathematics

The James S. Rickards Math Team is ranked among the top in the nation in Mu Alpha Theta.


Recent Results

2006 Florida State Convention: 3rd Place

2006 National Convention: 3rd Place

2005 Florida State Convention: 3rd Place

2005 National Convention: 4th Place


The members of the Rickards Math Team have also endeavored in other national mathematical competitions such as the American Mathematics Competition (AMC - State and Regional Champions 2003-2006), the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), the Princeton University Math Competition, the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament (HMMT), and the American Regions Math League (ARML). Two distinguished members, Chenyu Lin and Saiem Gilani, have also served as the captains for the state ARML and Harvard-MIT Math Tournament teams. They later founded the Florida Student Association of Mathematics, a state-wide organization focused on promoting the study of mathematics and mathematical competitions in K-12 education.

In 2005, 4 students from Rickards advanced to the USAMO[2], and one (Keenan Pepper) received an Honorable Mention with a score of 28 on the USAMO[3]. He was allowed to take the TST (Team Selection Test) when he attended the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program, as did Rickards alumnus Shaanan Shetty in 2002.

In 2006, 3 Rickards students advanced to the USAMO[4]. At both the 2006 State and National Mu Alpha Theta convention, Rickards placed third, its highest national placing to date.


Annual Competitions:

  • December 2nd, 2006 - James S. Rickards Fall Invitational
  • December 9th, 2006 - Vestavia Hills Math Tournament
  • December 16th, 2006 - Princeton University Math Competition
  • January 13th, 2007 - Pensacola Junior College Regional
  • January 27th, 2007 - Lawton Chiles High School Invitational
  • February 6th, 2007 - American Mathematical Competition (A)
  • February 10th, 2007 - Okaloosa-Walton College Regional
  • February 21st, 2007 - American Mathematical Competition (B)
  • February 24th, 2007 - Harvard-MIT Math Tournament
  • February 24th, 2007 - Middleton Invitational
  • March 10th, 2007 - Capital City Regional
  • March 13th, 2007 - American Invitational Math Exam
  • March 24th, 2007 - University of Florida Invitational
  • April 18th, 2007 - Purple Comet Middle/High School Math Meet
  • April 19th, 2007 - FAMAT State Convention
  • April 24th, 2007 - United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
  • June 1st, 2007 - American Regions Math League
  • July 14th, 2007 - Mu Alpha Theta National Convention
  • September 15th, 2007 - American High School Internet Math Competition

[edit] Other Clubs

Rickards has a multitude of clubs and after school activities, though the Math club is the largest. Some other clubs include:

  • Junior Classical League
  • Brain Bowl
  • Physics Club
  • Junior Engineering Technical Society
  • National Honors Society
  • Student Government Association
  • Future Business Leaders of America
  • Model U.N.
  • Florida's Future Educators of America
  • Spanish Club
  • French Club
  • Chess Club
  • Gospel Choir
  • ROTC
  • 20th Century: before and after school programs
  • Black History Brain Bowl
  • Reading Raiders Book Club

[edit] External links

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