Lakewood High School (Florida)
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| Address: 1400 54th Avenue South | ||
| Town: St. Petersburg, Florida 33705 | ||
| Established: Early 1960s | ||
| Type: Public secondary | ||
| Students: Coeducational | ||
| Grades: 9 - 12 | ||
| Accreditation: Florida State Department of Education | ||
| District: Pinellas County Schools | ||
| Mascot: Spartan | ||
| Colors: Black and Gold | ||
| Yearbook: AlphaOmega | ||
| Newspapers: two newspapers, "The Forum" and "CAT 5" | ||
| Website: Lakewood High School | ||
Lakewood High School is a public high school in St. Petersburg, Florida operated by Pinellas County Schools. It was created in the early 1960s. As of 2006, due to its 54% minority population, Lakewood High is known as one of the most diverse schools in Pinellas County. It is also one of the most highly-funded, due to the Center for Advanced Technologies, a magnet program attached to Lakewood.
CATCOM (Center for Advanced Technologies Communications and Original Media), a video production class and club within the CAT program, was created by Mark Granning and Dr. Martin Shapiro in the mid 1990s. It produces a daily in-house 15 minute news program known as "Fast Forward", as well as award winning segments, known as "Fox ThirTEEN Magazine," for the local Fox affiliate. CATCOM has won numerous Student Emmys for its work. It is home to Fox ThirTEEN magazine and Fast Forward. Acceptance into the program is competitive, as only about 25 students may participate each year.
The school mascot is the Spartan. The school colors are black and gold. The Lakewood dynasty name and hand gesture are copyrighted to the school.
In the 2005-2006 school year, Principal Dennis Duda transferred to Lakewood High from Tarpon Springs High after transferring from Pinellas Park Middle at the end of the 2001-2002 school year. He has improved the morale of the students during his first year by enthusiastically supporting the school and bringing forth the nickname, "The Best School In the Universe."
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[edit] Nicknames
- The Best School in the Universe
- Lakewood Dynasty
- Hollywood High
- The 'Wood
- Da'wood
- Lakwood (Misspelling in the school's yearbook)
- Lae-woo
[edit] Contributors
- Principal Duda introduced the "Best School in the Universe" nickname
- Mr. Mark Granning introduced CATCOM Studios
- Mr. Paul Dickman introduced Heatwave 312 Robotics Team
- Mr. Michael Jacobs published CAT5, CAT's first newsletter
- Mr. Thomas recreated Lakewood's Band (There are three now: Marching, Jazz, and Symphonic)
- Sherman Jones (Class of 2006) introduced the CC Stomp to CATCOM
- Taylor Hoffman (Class of 2006) introduced the Gay Straight Alliance
- Rachel Scherer (Class of 2007) revived the Drama Club
- Daniel Porter (Class of 2007) founded the Guitar Club
- Monica Van Dora (Class of 2007) founded the Veggie Club
[edit] Academic Achievements
- 16 Commended in National Merit Scholarship Program (2001; 5/2002)
- 4 Finalists in National Merit Scholarship Program (2001; 2/2002)
- 2 Semi-finalists National Achievement Program (2002)
- 1 Semi-finalist National Hispanic Scholars Program (2002)
- 104 Bright Future Recipients (2002)
- CATCOM 1st Place Universal Studies H. S. Video Competition (1997, 1998, 2001)
- CATCOM #1 rated TV show in nation (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
- Regional & National Finalist U.S. Robotics Competition (2000, 2001, 2002)
- Envirothon Winners (1997, 1998)
- 12 students selected to represent district at the Florida State Science Fair (2002); 1 student at International Science Fair (2002)
- The Lakewood Debate Team was formed in the 2003-2004 school year.
- Sent 12 students to nationals from the Debate Team in 2006
- Sent 12 students to win First Place at the State Spanish Contest in April 2006.
[edit] Test Scores
- 197 students took 442 Advanced Placement Examinations. 214 scored 3 or above.
- FCAT Writing Score 3.8 (0-6); District 4.1, State 3.8
- FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test)
- Reading 317; District 315, State 304
- Mathematics 336; District 330, State 323
- SAT composite mid range
- Verbal 480 Mathematics 489
- CAT mid 50%: 1180-1360(2001) 1100-1270 (2002)
[edit] Students & Faculty
- 76 member instructional faculty
- 100% in field certified
- 38.8% hold degrees beyond the bachelor's level
- Teacher of the Year 1996
- 2 Semifinalists Teacher of the Year (1998,1999)
- Pinellas County Math Teacher of the Year (1999)
- IEEE (1999) International Electric Engineers Faculty Award
- Student Population - 1550 (2007)
- 8 member administrative staff
[edit] Parental & Community Involvement
- 5 Star School Award (1998)
- Thousands of logged volunteer hours
- Parents/teacher/student/advisory group (PTSA)
- 500 Role Models of Excellence Project (program matching young men within the school system with positive role models from the African-American community)
- Golden School Award
[edit] Special Services
- Provides tutorial and enrichment programs to students in need.
- CAT - The Center for Advanced Technologies magnet program
- National Honor Society tutoring
- Drop-out Prevention Program
- Academic Improvement Plans
[edit] Building
- A-Wing
- B-Wing
- C-Wing
- T-Wing (CAT Wing)
- The Hub
- The Portables (1-7)
- Administration Building
Other than the CAT building, the school is comprised of three lettered wings (A, B, C), several numbered buildings (400, 500, 600, and 700), all of which feed into the central hub which crosses the school.
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
- Honor: French, German, and Spanish Honor Societies; Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Technology Honor Society
- Academic: Academic Team, Band, Debate Team, Future Business Leaders of America, French Club, German Club, Ecology Club, Student Government
- Service: Interact, SADD, Teen Court, Spartan Patrol, Peer Mediation, Chess Club,
- Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Flag Football
- Special Interest: Center for Advanced Technologies Communications (CATCOM), Spartones (choral), Ski Club, Sailing Club, Multicultural Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Drama Club (Thespian Troupe 3001), Veggie Club
[edit] Sports Titles
- District Champions
- Boys' Soccer
- Girls' Soccer
- Boys' Basketball
- Boys' Track
- Boys' Tennis
- Girls' Tennis
- Girls' Volleyball
- District Runner-Up
- Volleyball
- Boys' Soccer
- Girls' Track
- Wrestling
- PCAC Champions
- Boys' Basketball
- State Champions
- Boys' Basketball
[edit] Football
Lakewood's football team used to be the main force in football through out Pinellas County from the early 70's to the late 80's. More recently however the team has experienced tough times but under the guidance of second year head coach Ottis Dixon things seem to be looking up for the Spartans. Ottis Dixon's idea of the team over the individual and that school work is just as important as football has helped turn the team around. Coach Dixon's discipline has also earned him the nickname Coach Carter, which his players started calling him after he made them sign contracts(like in the movie Coach Carter). In 2005 the Spartans, in their first year of guidance under coach Dixon, did not do as well as they would have liked posting a record of 2-8. However, there were many highlights in this season with the biggest eye opener being the Spartans victory over the then undefeated Countryside Cougars in the final game for both teams of the season.
[edit] Basketball
Lakewood basketball has become one of the top teams in the county over the past few years, partially thanks to the guidance of Coach Wright, who helped build up the basketball team into the "dynasty" it is today.
In March, 2007 the team traveled to Lakeland to challenge the Lake Howell Silverhawks at the State Championship.
[edit] Soccer
On, Feb. 1st 2007, the Lakewood Spartans beat Southeast to advance to the regional semifinals. The score was 3-1.
[edit] The Band/Drumline
After the 2003-04 school year, Lakewood's marching band has transformed into a drumline.
In the year 2001-02, Lakewood High School's marching band, consisting of less than 30 members, joined with Bay Point Middle School's marching band, which had over 80 members.
