Topeka High School

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Topeka High School
Motto Tradition, Diversity, and Excellence
Established 1871 (since 1932 at current site)
Type school
Head Dr. Linda Wiley
Location Topeka, Kansas, United States
Campus {{{campus}}}
Enrollment 2000
Colors Black & Gold
Homepage http://www2.topeka.k12.ks.us

Topeka High School (THS) is located in the city of Topeka in the U.S. State of Kansas. Built in 1931, THS storied to be the first million dollar high school west of the Mississippi River. [1] It is one of four high schools within Topeka Public Schools (TPS).

Contents

[edit] History

In 2005, the 20-yard swimming pool located underneath the gym was converted into Laney Gym, named after former swim coach Chet Laney, for P.E. classes and wrestling. An additional gym was constructed on the soccer field located on the northwest side of the school. Varsity basketball continues to be played in the "Dungeon", the largest high school gymnasium in the state of Kansas, with capacity to accommodate over 5,000 people. The school celebrated its 75th Anniversary at its current site on September 17, 2006.

[edit] Campus

The tall bell tower is the most visible aspect of Topeka High School's architecture. Other notable details include:

  • Hoehner auditorium, site of at least one inauguration of a Kansas Governor.
  • USS Constitution mainmast on the east lawn
  • The oldest tree on campus, an elm, was blown over in the storms on August 25, 2006.
  • The Library, which was modeled after King Henry IIX's palace. Much of the wood shelving in the library is hand-carved, and about half of the ceiling is hand-painted. The original chairs, which are now 75 years old, still remain in the library and efforts are being made to refinish them.

[edit] Students[2]

Topeka High has an average Student Population of around 2,000. However...more than 1,700 students attended Topeka High in the 2006-2007 school year. Students arrive from Robinson, Jardine and Landon Middle Schools, as well as from Eisenhower and Chase Middle Schools. Six percent transfer into THS from outside the Topeka Public Schools district. The senior class of 2007 has 337 students.

More than 80% of THS graduates enroll in some kind of post secondary education. More than $1.2 million in scholarships were awarded to Topeka High seniors in 2005. Scholarships were awarded from such prestigious schools as Stanford, Vassar College, Vanderbilt, Georgetown and Brandeis.

[edit] THS National Merit Scholars (1999-2005)

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a college scholarship competition that includes taking the PSAT/NMSQT.

  • 19 Semi-finalists
  • 35 Commended Scholars
  • 7 National Achievement Scholars
  • 3 Corporate Sponsor Merit Scholars
  • 3 Hispanic Scholars

[edit] Foreign Exchange Programs

Ten to fifteen students per year attend THS from countries such as Germany, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico and Switzerland. Students are sponsored by the following exchange programs: AFS, AIFS, ASSE, CHI, AYUSA, ERDT, and Share.

[edit] Faculty

There are around 140 teachers and administrators at Topeka High. Notable administrators include Principal Dr. Linda Wiley, Associate Principal Steve Grammer, and Division Principals Sheila Heine-Walker, Don Barth, Rodney Johnson, and Linda Peterson. Notable teachers include science teachers Anton Ahrens and Kerry "Zimm" Zimmerman, English teacher Nancy Vega (THS '70), art teacher Marty "Mo" Moreno, music teachers Steve Holloman and Ray McComas, and debate and forensics instructor Pam McComas. Salvador Cruz is a graduate of Topeka High and the current coach for the nationally famous Trojan Drumline. Duane Pomeroy, a government and social studies teacher, is a former deputy and former acting mayor of Topeka, Kansas. Curtis "Gunner" Kelley is the Senior Marine Instructor of the MCJROTC and Head Swim Coach. The previous principal was Clardy Vinson. TPS released this statement via their website https://www.topeka.k12.ks.us "Topeka High School principal Clardy Vinson will be leaving the halls of Troy at the end of this school year. Vinson has been principal at the city's largest high school for four years. He told school officials he wanted to end his education career as an elementary school principal. Vinson is a former elementary and middle school principal ..."

[edit] Curriculum

TPS often changes its high school schedules, causing much confusion among the students and their guardians. Many students wish for the return of Seminar, a Study Hall-like class that allowed them to catch up on work, seek teacher help, and just relax on hectic days.[citation needed] On Wednesdays and Thursdays, however, there is "Trojan Time", which is similar to Seminar in that students can catch up on work or seek teacher help. Seminar also allowed teachers extra time to get things done.

Six percent of Topeka High's enrollment come as transfer students. Students outside the attendance zone come to the school for its strong fine arts program - including an excellent music program (orchestra, jazz band, drumline, wind ensembles, and concert choirs), its nationally recognized forensic and debate teams, as well as its foreign language program (offering languages Spanish, German, and French). Also, THS boasts a nationally-acclaimed Marine Corps JROTC drill team (1999-present).

The school newspaper, The World, is a member of the High School National Ad Network.

With the 2006-2007 school year, Topeka High has incorporated a new discipline plan called the "10 Point Discipline Plan." It has had mixed reactions from students and faculty.[citation needed]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ https://www2.topeka.k12.ks.us/ths/multimedia/history/architecture.html
  2. ^ brochure:All That's Great About Topeka High, TPS Communications, 2006
  3. ^ [1]Look Smart Web site, reprint of article by Blankenship, Bill, "Young poet to read works at Washburn", The Topeka Capital-Journal, March 9, 2005, accessed October 31, 2006

[edit] External links

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