Columbus High School (Columbus, Georgia)

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Columbus High School Liberal Arts Magnet
Location
1700 Cherokee Ave.
Columbus, GA 31906
USA
Information
Principal Ms. Susan Bryant
Enrollment

approx. 1299
Type Public magnet school for the liberal arts
Mascot Blue Devils
Color(s) Orange and Blue
Established 1890
Information (706) 748-2534
Ratio 24 students to 1 teacher
Partners in Education AFLAC
Homepage http://www.columbushighga.org

Columbus High School is located in Columbus, Georgia. It serves as one of the Muscogee County School District's Liberal Arts Magnet school. It is one of the oldest high schools in Georgia[citation needed]. It opened in 1890 and has been located in various locations throughout the city[citation needed]. In the 2006-2007 school year it was ranked #1. In 2005, the school shared the ranking as the top high school in the state of Georgia[citation needed]. This distinction was shared with John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia.

Contents

[edit] Graduation Requirements

All Liberal Arts College Preparatory Magnet students entering the program as 9th graders must earn a total of 32 Carnegie units. Students must maintain a final average of "C" in any course taken to remain in the magnet program at Columbus High School. Failure to do so can result in the removal of the student from Columbus High School. Students are required to take one core course each year in English, Math, Science and Social Studies.

Course Type Credits Needed
English 4 units
Foreign Language 3 units
Math 4 units
Science 4 units
Social Studies 4 units
Physical Education 1/2 unit
Health 1/2 unit
Humanities 1 unit
Academic Electives 3 units
Student Choice Electives 6 units
Fine Arts Elective 1 unit

[edit] Community Involvement

Each year, students are required to serve 20 hours of volunteer work around the area at various agencies as part of their Social Studies class. 12th graders are required to do a senior project in which they must pick an activity they have never tried before, have a mentor teach the student what to do and how do it. Each senior must spend 100 hours working on it and maintain a portfolio documenting their progress from the summer before their senior year until the final presentation in April. Then they must present their project in the form of a speech to a board that will determine their final grade.[1]


[edit] Eligibility

Students qualify for entrance into the program based on:

  • 8th grade course averages of an 82 or better with the exception of algebra and foreign languages.
  • Recommendations from middle school counselor, Math, and English teachers.
  • Entrance exams performance in math, reading, and composition.
  • Students must maintain a "C" average in each academic course with the exception of one "F" in their Freshman year.

[edit] Location

The school sits atop a hill in the Lakebottom area of the city and across Cherokee Avenue from Lakebottom/Weracoba park, where the school shares athletic facilities with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.

[edit] Activities

Students can invest their time out of class in the following extracurricular activities.

[edit] Athletics

Columbus High School is ranked fourth (2004) in AAAA schools in Georgia. The school is currently rated AAA by student population. Two thirds of the student participate in 39 different teams:

  • Boys'/Girls' Cross Country
  • Boys'/Girls' Track
  • Boys'/Girls' Basketball
  • Boys'/Girls' Tennis
  • Boys'/Girls' Golf
  • Boys'/Girls' Soccer
  • Baseball
  • Football
  • Marching Band- Drumline/Colorguard
  • JROTC Drill Team
  • JROTC Colorguard
  • Swim Team
  • Softball
  • Cheerleading (Competition, Football, and Basketball)
  • Wrestling: 2006 AAA State Champions
  • Rifle Team
  • Girls' Volleyball: 2007 AAA State Champions
  • Girls' Lacrosse
  • Rugby

[edit] Fine Arts

The Columbus High Drama department is the recipient of various state-wide awards including three state one act play competition wins, the most recent being in 2007 with the play, "Bee-Luther-Hatchee." The department typically produces three plays and one musical yearly through their company, Full House Productions in the small CHS Auditorium.

The CHS Chorus Puts on various concerts throughout the school year. These concert include the annual Potluck, Christmas Concert, and Spring Concert. This year the choir had 22 of its member make the all state honor choir including: Max Young, Michael Johns, Chris Johns, Alex Sigmund, Tyree Cooper, Steven Mitchell, Dacia Collins, Kelly Rainer, and Stephanie Hall. The CHS Chorus also boasts a wonderful Ensemble, the best men's choir in the city, a wonderful mixed choir and an awesome Advanced women's choir.

The orchestra, concert bands, jazz ensemble and advanced choirs have consistently earned superior ratings at competitions. Many CHS vocalists and instrumentalists are typically chosen for All-District, All-State, and the Governor's Honors Program. In the visual arts, individuals exhibit and compete locally and statewide using a variety of media including painting, sculpture/pottery, and photography.

Students are required to take at least one Fine Arts class in order to graduate Columbus High School.

[edit] Clubs/Organizations

Young Activists; Junior Civitan; GSA; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; National Art Honor Society; National Honor Society; Beta Club; Students Against Destructive Decisions; Language Clubs: Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Latin; Science Club; Robotics Club (Georgia State BotBall competition winner); Dead Poet's Society; Competition Mathematics Team; Academic Decathlon; Thespians Drama Society; Dance Team; Model UN; Gavel Club; Fired Up; Debate; Youth Alive; Student Council; Break dance Club; Chess Club; Mock Trial Club

[edit] Publications

  • The Blue Streak, Newspaper
  • The Sampler, Literature/Art magazine
  • COHISCAN, Yearbook (COlumbus HIgh SChool ANnual)

[edit] Accomplishments and Recognition

Students and faculty alike have received top national and local honors for their achievements. The members of the graduating class of 2004 qualified for a total of $8.5 million in merit and HOPE scholarships. The Class of 2009 Juniors passed the GHSGT with 100% in all five subject areas.

[edit] School and Faculty Recognitions

  • One-Act Play Competition State Winners (2003, 2006, 2007)
  • National Blue Ribbon School (2004)
  • Georgia School of Excellence (2004)
  • Effective Practices School (2004-2003)
  • Ledger-Enquirer Coach of the Year (Baseball, 2004)
  • Academically ranked the #2 public high school in Georgia (2002)
  • Academically ranked the #1 public high school in Georgia (2003)
  • Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2004)
  • Pay for Performance (2004, 2002, 2001)
  • Girls' Track and Field Coach of the Year (Atlanta Track Club, 2004)
  • NASA Educator Astronaut Finalist
  • Six Fulbright Fellowships
  • Vocational Teacher of the Year (2000)
  • Faculty Representative to the State Teacher Advisory Council
  • Georgia Thespians State Board Member
  • Sara Spano Page One Top Teacher Award Winners - 4
  • Muscogee County School District Teacher of the Year (2000)
  • Georgia Teacher of the Year Top Five Finalist (2003)
  • Gifted Certified Teachers - 24
  • AP Certified Teachers - 26
  • National Board Certified Teachers - 5
  • All Bi-City Coach of the Year Awards: Girls' Soccer, Boys' Soccer, Boys' Golf, Cross Country, Girls' Golf, Baseball, Girls' Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming
  • National Coach of the Year: Baseball (2004, 2000)
  • Administrator of the Year (PTSA, 4th District, 2004, 2003)
  • National Administrator of the Year (Educational Theatre Association, 2003)
  • Muscogee County Teacher of the Year Finalists/Semifinalists - 4

[edit] Athletic Accomplishments

  • Girls' Volleyball - State Champs (2007)
  • Boys' Cross Country - 1st Region (2007-1999); Individual State Winners
  • Girls' Cross Country - 1st Region (2007-1997); Individual State Winners
  • Girls' Basketball - State Runner-up (2004); 1st or 2nd Region (2003-2001)
  • Boys' Tennis - 2nd Region (2004, 2003, 2001); 1st Region (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007)
  • Girls' Tennis - 4th State (2004); 1st Region (2004, 2001)
  • Girls' Soccer - 2nd Region (2004, 2003); 1st Region (2002, 2006); 3rd State (2006)
  • Boys' Soccer - 4th Region (2004, 2003); 3rd Region (2002);
  • Baseball - Ranked 2nd in Nation by USA Today; State Champs (2005,2004, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1984); 2nd State (2003, 2001)
  • Softball - 2nd Region (2003, 2002); 5th State (2001)
  • Girls' Track - 5th State (2004, 2002); Individual State and National Winner (2004);
  • Boys' Track - 4th Region (2004, 2003); 3rd Region (2002)
  • Girls Golf State Runner-up (2004); State Champions (2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999)
  • Boys' Golf - 2nd Region, 7th State (2004); 5th State (2003, 2002)
  • Wrestling, AAA State Champions, Area Champions, Wakula Champions, Auburn Champions(2006) 3-time City Champions(2004,2005,2007)
  • Cheerleading - 5th State, 2nd Region (2004); State Runner-up (2003, 2007)
  • Knox Culpepper Sportsmanship Award - (2003, 2002, 2001)

[edit] History

[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] Timeline

  • 1890: The High School opens with co-educational classes. Classes are held in the existing Boys School at 10th Street and 2nd Avenue.
  • 1891: Mr. Homer Wright is elected principal of the High School and serves until he becomes Superintendent of Schools.
  • 1891-1892: The High School moves into the Bussey Home.
  • June 1892: The first class graduates from Columbus High School. The class is composed of sixteen girls and two boys. Graduation exercises are held at the Springer Opera House.
  • 1897-1898: A building is constructed to house the High School at 11th Street and 4th Avenue.
  • Fall 1898: The High School at 11th Street and 4th Avenue openes for classes.
  • 1900: Three alternative curricula are adopted for students-college preparation, classical and scientific.
  • 1904-1907: Georgia high schools begin to be accredited by the University of Georgia. Oral tradition maintains that CHS was "the first" or "one of the first" high schools in Georgia to be accredited. This fact has not been verified. Research is underway to verify the statement.
  • 1913: The first COHISCAN, the CHS annual, was published. The name is derived from the following: COlumbus HIgh SChool ANnual.
  • 1919: Junior ROTC is added.
  • 1921: Miss Edwina Wood, a member of the 1892 CHS graduating class, is appointed to the School Board. Miss Wood is the first woman appointed to this board and serves for twenty years.
  • 1923: The "Blue Devil" nickname is first applied by Gen. John J. Pershing in reference to spirited game play exhibited against Phillips High in Birmingham, Alabama. Previous to this time several nicknames had been used for the CHS sports teams. The "Orange Avalanche" is perhaps the best known.
  • May 31, 1924: A bond election is held to approve the purchase of land for and the building of a new high school. The bond passes "overwhelmingly."
  • 1924-1925: Sixteen acres in Wildwood Park are selected as the site of the new high school. The site is selected by popular vote. Starrett and Van Vlock of New York are chosen as designing architects with Hickman and Martin as local architects.
  • Sept. 2, 1925: The cornerstone for the new building is set at 1700 Cherokee Avenue.
  • Sept. 16, 1926: The dedication exercises for the building at 1700 Cherokee Avenue take place.
  • 1934: Home Economics is added to the curriculum.
  • 1943-1945: Miss Annie Massey, the first female CHS High School principal, leads the school during the war years.
  • 1962-1963: The building is expanded and additions are made.
  • June 12, 1981: Fire ravages the original section of the building.
  • 1981-1983: Construction and renovations to the building are undertaken. Air conditioning is added at this time. Grades are split and classes held at two locations, Rosemont School and Columbus Junior High School.
  • Aug. 27, 1983: Rededication ceremonies are held.
  • 1990-1991: Centennial Celebration. Ceremonies are conducted including recognizing AFLAC as our Partner In Education.
  • 1991-1992: The first year of the Liberal Arts Magnet program; entering freshman class included the first magnet students. Ms. Linda Kellett is the founding lead teacher of the program. The first section of the Alumni Wall is completed.
  • 1995-1996: A leaky roof threatens accreditation and is the subject of several news reports; it is replaced in the summer of 1996.
  • 1999-2000: Ms. Susan Bryant replaces Dr. Ronnie Shehane as principal. Block scheduling is adopted in a modified 4x4 arrangement with yearlong AP courses meeting on alternate days. The Commemorative Plaza is added in front of the cafeteria. Resilient blue and white tile replaces carpeting in the building's hallways. Trees are removed in the student parking area.
  • 2000-2001: Renovations to the gym are undertaken and completed.
  • 2001-2002: CHS Liberal Arts Magnet becomes a total magnet school.
  • 2004-2005: CHS was named a Georgia School of Excellence and a National Blue Ribbon School.
  • Summer 2005: The school is renovated. The student parking area, long known for mud and haphazard parking arrangements, is paved.
  • Fall/Winter 2007: The plumbing on the first floor is changed, resulting in the closure of the first floor. This was replaced because the old pipes, built in the early 1900's, burst, with sewage raining out of the ceiling.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Columbus High School. Retrieved on 2008-03-27.

[edit] External links