Southwest High School (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

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Southwest High School -- Home of the Lakers
Motto Inspiring Excellence in Arts and Academics
Established 1940
Type Public secondary (formerly 7-12)
Principal Dr. William Smith
Faculty 75
Students 1,600
Grades 9–12
Location Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
District Minneapolis Public Schools
Campus Urban
Colors Purple and White
Mascot Lakers
Newspaper The Anchor (formerly the Southwesterner)
Distinctions Ranked 257th Best High School in the Nation
Website http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/

Southwest High School is a public high school in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA). It is notable for being ranked #257 of the 1,000 best high schools in America, according to the Newsweek list of best high schools in America in 2006. The school is a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization and is ranked among the top 100 IB schools in both North America and the world. The current principal is Bill Smith. The mascot is the Laker (formerly the Indians) and the official colors are purple and white.

Contents

[edit] History

Ground was broken for Southwest High School on November 12, 1938 at 46th Street and Chowen Avenue South. (The school was a project commissioned by the Public Works Administration and the Minneapolis Board of Education.) The original building was built for a cost of $500,000. Southwest opened on September 3, 1940 with Casper C. Minty as its first principal, and a teaching staff of 25. There were three grades that first year, 9-11, with students coming from Washburn, Edina and Richfield. Enrollment for the first year was 841 students, 141 more than expected. Two additions were made to the original structure, the first opening in 1956, and the second (Southwest Junior High School, to the east) in 1968.

The first graduating class, of about 183 students, was in 1942. In 1956, with the completion of the first addition, Southwest became a six year high school, grades 7-12, with an enrollment of 1400. In 1968, after the second addition, the school was divided into senior and junior high schools with a total enrollment of 2114, the highest ever.

In 1974 Southwest Senior High and Junior High Schools were merged into Southwest Secondary School. With the reorganization of Minneapolis schools in the fall of 1982, Southwest again taught students in grades 9-12, with 7th and 8th graders going to Anwatin or Anthony. Most of the students who attended West High School merged into Southwest when West was closed in 1982.

Currently Southwest offers most students a choice between two Small Learning Communities (SLC's), Arts and Humanities and the International Baccalaureate program, as they work to achieve a diploma. Although in 2006 a new program for deaf and hard of hearing was added. In 2007 a new Sports and Fitness SLC will be offered, while the Arts and Humanities program will offer only AP and Pre-AP courses.

[edit] Extracurricular

  • The school newspaper is The Anchor, and is a member of the High School National Ad Network.
  • Admission Possible, a Minneapolis group for juniors and seniors meets at Southwest
  • ALIANZA (Latin Leaders), a student led group that promotes diversity at Southwest
  • Amnesty International
  • Many music ensembles meet before school
  • Chess Club, which won City, State, and Nationals in 2006
  • Close Up, a national group that leads student trips to D.C.
  • Debate
  • Fencing Club
  • Gay Straight Alliance
  • Intercambios, an informal language club
  • Kubb club
  • Math League
  • National Honor Society
  • Quiz Bowl/Knowledge Bowl
  • Robotics
  • Many different choirs meet before school
  • SPARE (Students Providing African Relief and Education)
  • Speech Team
  • Student Council
  • Ultimate Frisbee (MÜS)
  • Yearbook
  • Unhinged Theatre

[edit] Sports

Southwest changed its mascot from the Indian to the Laker in the 1990's. The Southwest sports programs have suffered in recent years due to the loss of students with noticeable talent when they go to other area private or suburban high schools.

Different sports have succeeded and reached the Minnesota State High School League postseason competitions in recent years.

[edit] Football

The Southwest football team has struggled for many years while its head-coach resigned and moved to South High, a City-conference rival. In 2006 the Southwest football team has notably improved, beating rival South and maintaining a winning record. The turn around was sparked by captains Brett Drake, Darren Jakes, Collin Westcott, Luke Langfeldt, and Brooks Kennedy.

[edit] Cross Country

Running has a great history at Southwest. For 40 consecutive years the entire Southwest team made an appearance at the State Championship Meet and won the team title 18 of those years. This was the record for most team state championships in a single sport of any school in the nation up to 2004. Southwest has continued to send teams and individual athletes to the State Championships in both the girls and boys competitions.

[edit] Soccer

Being one of the most competitive sports at the high school, the soccer team has made a name for itself as being one of the most competitive teams in the state during recent years. With one of the biggest rivalries in the city against South High School, fans gather each year for Soccer Saturday, an all day event culminating in the Boys Varsity game. Fans have been know to be rowdy, often wearing "South is Filth, Take a Shower" shirts to the game, and all South/Southwest matches. In 2006, the Southwest soccer team beat Edina in section finals to advance to state where they took fourth place. Throughout the season Southwest was consistently ranked among the top 5 teams in Minnesota as ranked by the Coaching Alliance.

[edit] Hockey

Hockey has been a staple among the Southside schools for many years and Southwest has always been one of the major contenders in this sport. Southwest won the High School Boys State Championship in hockey in 1970. NHL alumni from Southwest include Tom Chorske and John Taft.

[edit] Swimming and Diving

While swimming at Southwest was at its peak in the 1970's, during the past 6 years swimming has begun to rise once again. In the 2001-2002 season, 5 mens swimming records were broken. In the 2005-2006 season, 2 women's records were broken, and the mens team took second place in true team sectionals. The mens team has also managed to beat their rivals, the South Tigers, since 2001. However, there was much controversy in 2004 when unnamed members of the South swim team defiled a Southwest mascot, affectionately known as the "Cheer Gator". Also during the 2004-2005 season, South and Southwest were forced to share the title of Conference Champions, after much debate. Saturday, February 17, 2007, the Southwest Men’s Swim Team won the Twin City Championship, defeating St. Paul Central. They overcame a 13 point deficit, after the diving program, to win 97-86. This is the annual meet matching the Minneapolis Championship swim team against the best St. Paul swim team. Southwest had not won this meet since winning in 1963, the year this meet originated. Southwest Swimming and Diving team has vastly improved in the last few years, and is well known for its sportsmanship and eagerness to compete. In the 2006-2007 season, Southwest fielded a very competitive team, and expects to continue to do so.

[edit] Nordic Skiing

The Nordic team began in the 1976-1977 season as coached by Joan McNaughton. During her SW coaching career she sent four girls teams, 25 individuals and one boys relay team to State competitions. The team is now coached by English teacher James Dundon, who has led the team to many city championships. The team also consistently sends skiers to state. Southwest has produced a number of skiers who have gone on to compete nationally, including U.S. Biathlon Team Member Jacob Beste.

[edit] Men's Tennis

Coached by Scott Danielson. MVPs: Jake Schwartz (retired), Chris Wilson, Lewis Wilcox, Jordan Falk. Honorable Mention Johnny Bird.

[edit] Ultimate Frisbee

Led by the fierce play of the Canuck Toby Abramson and Rita Lederly the ultimate team came in second place in The Twin Cities Fall League.


[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] External links

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