City High-Middle School
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City High-Middle School is a member of the Grand Rapids Public Schools and is a school for academically talented students in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
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[edit] History
The school was established in 1975 by a group of parents desiring an academic program that challenged their talented students. The first location of City, as it is known among its students, was at the Grand Rapids Community College campus, where Gillian Anderson attended and graduated while she lived in Grand Rapids. Later, the program moved to their own building on a shared lot with Central High School and Fountain Elementary. In 2006, the school was moved to its present location at 1400 Fuller Avenue NE, the former site of the now-defunct Northeast Middle School.
[edit] Admissions
Admissions to City are very competitive; students are accepted based on mathematics and writing tests administered by the school, as well as teacher recommendations. Many students enroll in the feeder schools, John Ball Zoo School and the Blandford Environmental Educational Program, before coming to City.
[edit] Programs
City's curriculum is focused on the humanities. The school's courses are accelerated and advanced in comparison to other high schools in the area; the school is also notably smaller, with an average student body of about 600 students between grades 7-12. The school's current and past locations have also been notably small for a school of such size.
The school offers the core curriculum classes, such as English, mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, and social studies; students can also take fine arts classes, such as drama, choir, jazz band, band or orchestra, and participate in government, debate (legislative and otherwise), broadcasting, and creative writing courses. In addition, the forensics team is very highly ranked. City maintained a block schedule for many years, but will be switching to a trimester schedule beginning in the 2008-2009 school year. Additional Advanced Placement courses, including AP US and World History, AP Literature and Composition, and AP Government, have been added in an attempt to keep City competitive. The school is also attempting to enter the International Baccalaureate program, and will initiate an "Economicology" program for its seventh graders beginning in the fall of 2008.
With the exception of the 7-8 grade middle school, City has no sports teams. High school students wishing to participate in sports play for the Grand Rapids public high school nearest their home, at GRPS's Creston, Union, Central or Ottawa Hills High School schools.
City High School students 7-12 participate in many drama, debate, and forensics programs across the state of Michigan. City High School's Drama students are also well known for their creativity. The 2004 production "A Show About CITY" was the result of the creative direction of Zane Corriveau, who also wrote, directed and starred in the show.
The former City High building at 111 College was also famous for its Cafegymabandatorium, an all purpose room used for everything from school lunch to Michigan Supreme Court Election Debates. [1]
