Granby High School

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Granby High School
Home of the Comets
Address
7101 Granby Street
Norfolk, Virginia, 23505
USA
Information
School district Norfolk City Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Stephen C. Jones
Principal Mr. Edward "Ted" Daughtrey
Assistant principals Mrs. Mindy Williams (Academy A)
Dr. Mark Makovec (Academy B)
Mr. John Hatcher (Academy C)
Mrs. Vicki Jones (Academy D)
Enrollment

2,287 (2006-07)
School type Public high school
Grades 9–12
Language English
Campus Urban
Athletics conference Virginia High School League
AAA Eastern Region
Eastern District
Rival Maury High School
Mascot Comets
Color(s) Silver, Gold, and Blue ███
Founded 1939
Communities served Ocean View
Willoughby Spit
Talbot Park
Wards Corner
Colonial Place
Park Place
Titustown
Homepage Official Site


Granby High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Norfolk, Virginia. The high school is part of the Norfolk City Public Schools system. It is the only high school in the school division that offers an International Baccalaureate program.[citation needed] The building is located on historic Granby Street where the south end is at Downtown Norfolk and the north end where the beaches of Ocean View lie. Granby is also less than a mile away from the historic Wards Corner, a local shopping and eating center. In 2007, Newsweek placed Granby in the top 1300 of America's Top Public High Schools. Granby and rival Maury High School were the only schools from the Norfolk Public School system to place.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] History

Opened in 1939, the school was previously known as Granby Street High School, reflecting the street on which it is located. Both the street and the school are named after John Manners, Marquess of Granby, a hero of the Seven Years' War. The twenty-four acre tract on which Granby was built was once part of the Talbot Plantation before the property was donated to the city by Winton W. Talbot. The current principal of Granby High School is Edward Daughtrey.

Blue, Gold, and Silver are the school colors. Blue representing the color of the Chesapeake Bay, which is in Granby's vicinity. The gold and silver is derived from the proverb:"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." This quote is also hung on a plaque in the hallway.

Granby's school symbol is the comet. It also has a newspaper entitled "The Spectator," and annually publishes a literary magazine called "The Cupola," named after the structure on the top of the school's roof. The weathervane on top of the cupola was bent as a result of tropical storm Ernesto, but was fixed within six months.

[edit] "Granby 1" and "Granby 2"

In 1996, the school system invested $21 million in a construction project in order to expand and renovate the 57-year-old building. Because of this construction, the entire student body could not stay in the original building. To fix this problem, the 1100 freshmen and sophomores were sent to the former Norfolk Catholic High building a half-mile away from the building. Catholic High was vacant at the time since Catholic High moved to Virginia Beach. The Catholic High building was nicknamed "Granby 2" while the original building was "Granby 1." Under Principal Michael Caprio, the school had to double everything including scheduling, busing, orientation, and lunches. Several headaches later, the 20,000 square foot expansion was complete with comprehensive voice, video, and high speed data network and a media resource management system for 110 classrooms and laboratories. In addition, the building gained three multimedia presentation rooms and an innovative CCTV security system.

[edit] Granby High School Philosophy

Central to the philosophy of Granby High School is the belief that every individual can learn. Inherent in this belief is our responsibility to prepare each student for a productive future while fostering an understanding of his/her heritage. In meeting the goals established by the School Board of the City of Norfolk, this school promotes academic rigor, a safe and secure environment, and community involvement. In so doing, Granby High School also recognizes the increasing educational demands delegated to it as a public institution.

The staff at Granby provides the environment to meet the educational and social demands of a diverse population. Instructional and extracurricular programs utilize the resources of home, school, and community to meet the present needs and interests of students. The total school process prepares all students for the challenge of the future in a complex world.

[edit] Granby High Alma Mater

The Granby High School Alma Mater was created in 1942 by John W. W. Comming. Comming is a retired commander of the United States Navy. The Alma Mater is sung by the school's elite choir, The Granby Singers.

Granby High, our Alma Mater, let the joyful welkin ring;
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, ever praise to thee we'll sing.
We all love thee, Alma Mater, thou hast led our steps aright.
Come weal, come woe, wherever we may go,
Will our memories of thee be bright.
O Granby High, O Granby high,
O morning star of life in our sky,
May our lives ever be pride and honor to thee,
O God bless thee, Granby High.

Plaque in front of Granby High.
Plaque in front of Granby High.

[edit] The Academy System

Main entrance with skylight structure.
Main entrance with skylight structure.

Granby High School operates on an academy system where the student body and faculty are divided into four distinct groups. While the principal oversees the school as a whole and focuses on building-wide issues, an assistant principal administers each academy. The building is numbered by a classroom number and then the academy letter. The academies (A, B, C, D) allow for the administration and guidance department to have a better focus on the students. Academy A are strictly freshmen classrooms and is located downstairs. Academies B, C, D are for the sophomores, juniors, and seniors. These academies are located upstairs. Within these three academies, the sophomores, juniors, and seniors are randomly placed. With a population of over 2,000, the academy system is very effective.

[edit] The Room Numbering System

Granby's room numbering system is by-far the most complex. The room is composed of two parts: a number and a letter. The letter indicates what type of room it is. For example, 02G means that it is the second room in gymnasium area. Every single room in the building is labeled. Some believe this is because it would cut down on confusion about where a room was. Here is a list of just some of Granby's room letters.

Granby Library.
Granby Library.
Letter Meaning
AA Sub-Classroom from Academy A
AR Art Room
AU Auditorium and Dressing Rooms
A Academy A Hallway
B Academy B Hallway
C Academy C Hallway
CL Computer Lab
CU Custodial Room
D Academy D Hallway
FO Forum
G Gymnasium
J Janitorial Room
K Kitchen
L Library Suite
M Music Room
ME Maintenance Room
MM Maintenance Mezzanine
MR Music Rehearsal Room
RO ROTC
S Faculty Resource Room (Teacher's Lounge, Student Activity Center, etc.)
V Fashion/Business
X Main Office/Nurse Suite

[edit] International Baccalaureate Program

Granby High School is the only school in the Norfolk Public Schools system that offers the International Baccalaureate Program, or IB for short. Specifically known as the IB Diploma Program, the program is a two-year academically rigorous curriculum intended for juniors and seniors who desire in-depth scholastic preparation for college or university. Students study courses from the IB subject groups of Language A1 (English), Language B (French, Latin, or Spanish), Individuals and Their Societies (History of the Americas and 20th Century World Topics), Experimental Sciences (Biology or Physics), Mathematics (Mathematics SL or Mathematical Studies), and Fine Arts (Psychology, Music, Theatre Arts, or Visual Arts).

Seal of the IB Program.
Seal of the IB Program.

In addition, IB students must complete three unique elements of the IB Diploma Program: write a 4000 word Extended Essay, be involved in their community through the IB CAS component, and take a unique Theory of Knowledge course. Integrating elements of curriculums and standards from various nations, this program culminates in the International Baccalaureate Diploma upon successful completion of external examinations in the six subject groups and completion of the three unique program elements.
The IB Program is very rewarding to the students that complete it. Students who earn the prestigious IB Diploma may be awarded college credits and advanced standing at colleges and universities throughout the world at the discretion of the individual colleges or universities.
To prepare students for the rigor of the IB Diploma Program, Granby High School has a specially designed Pre-IB sequence which begins in the ninth grade. The Pre-IB Program is open to all rising ninth grade students who reside in Norfolk and meet the application criteria. The current coordinator is Lynette S. Corley, but is retiring in June. Rebecca Stein, Granby's English Department Chair, will be taking the position of IB Coordinator. Currently there are 39 seniors in attendance.[1]

[edit] Clubs and Organizations

Granby's 2008 Annual Fashion Show sponsored by the SCA.
Granby's 2008 Annual Fashion Show sponsored by the SCA.

[edit] Sports at Granby High

Granby High School offers a variety of sports as it is a member of the AAA Eastern Region of the Virginia High School League. Comets compete in the AAA Eastern District which is composed of the five Norfolk high schools and the three Portsmouth high schools. The sports offered at Granby include:

Two Granby defenders break up a pass from Great Bridge's quarterback at Granby's Powhatan Field.
Two Granby defenders break up a pass from Great Bridge's quarterback at Granby's Powhatan Field.
  • Baseball, Junior Varsity
  • Baseball, Varsity
  • Basketball, Boys
  • Basketball, Girls
  • Basketball, Junior Varsity, Boys
  • Basketball, Junior Varsity, Girls
  • Cheerleader, Junior Varsity
  • Cheerleaders, Varsity
  • Crew
  • Cross Country
Granby's Field Hockey Team at a match against Cox. The team's pink jerseyes and bags are for their support of breast cancer awareness. Cancer has touched more than half the team members in one form or another.
Granby's Field Hockey Team at a match against Cox. The team's pink jerseyes and bags are for their support of breast cancer awareness. Cancer has touched more than half the team members in one form or another.
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer, Boys
  • Soccer, Girls
  • Softball
  • Softball Junior Varsity
  • Swimming, Boys
  • Swimming, Girls
  • Tennis, Boys
  • Tennis, Girls
  • Track, Indoor
  • Track, Outdoor
  • Volleyball, Boys
  • Volleyball, Girls
  • Wrestling

[edit] Granby Marching Comets

Comets at the ACCs in 2006.
Comets at the ACCs in 2006.

Granby High School is home to the only drum-corps style marching band in the city.[citation needed] Unlike the high-stepping bands of the other four public high schools, the Marching Comets compete in the Tournament of Bands. Under the direction of Mr. Steve Clendenin, the Comets have traveled as far as Scranton, Pennsylvania to compete in the Atlantic Coast Championships (ACCs) with field shows titled "The Mask of Zorro" and "La Corrida de Torres." (The Bullfight) In 2006, the Marching Comets earned the title of Group II ACC Invitational Class Champions with "La Corrida de Torres."

[edit] Field productions

Year Show
2002 The Classics: New World Symphony, Chorale from Jupiter, Farandole
2003 Russian Fanfare
2004 The Mask of Zorro
2005 The Music of Earth, Wind, and Fire
2006 La Corrida de Torres (The Bullfight)
2007 An American Holiday: The Music of Aaron Copland and Ron Nelson
2008 Masters of Disguise

[edit] Granby Crew

Granby High School also has a rowing team (http://www.granbyrowing.com), the only one in the Norfolk Public Schools' history to compete at SRA Nationals. The crew shares its boathouse with Maury High School. The Granby Crew has competed at regional, state, national, and international regattas such as the Stotesbury Cup. In 2008, Granby Crew earned its first State Championship with an open-water-win in the Men's Varsity Lightweight Four+. This boat automatically qualified for the National Scholastic Rowing Championship in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as did the Women’s Varsity Four+, a boat that dominated the petite finals of their event. These two accomplishments mark the first time in history that Granby Crew has qualified to compete at the National level, having previously been granted petition-only racing slots. And the boats continue to get faster...[2]

[edit] NPS Evening School

Granby High School is open to from 6 a.m. to as late as 9 p.m. Granby is the home to Norfolk Public School's Evening School. From 4:30 p.m. to 8:40 p.m., classes run for students that need a particular class. Evening School is just the same as the school during the day: It has its own principal, conseulors, teachers, and media specialists. NPS Evening School offers many courses including high school credit-bearing classes, an adult high school diploma program, a GED Prep course, a "Race to GED" course, ESOL classes (English Speakers of Other Languages), and ABE classes (Adult Basic Education).

[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] GHS Spirit Brick Program

Brick is the main component of Granby's building structure. As one walks towards the main entrance, one will realize many things are donated by Granby alumni. The plaque facing Granby Street was donated by a former graduating class. The stone benches were also donated by former graduating classes. As one reaches the steps to the doors, there are a long line of bricks that were donated from former and current students and faculty. The Spirit Brick Program uses "Brick-Buy-Brick" to beautify Granby High School and to provide academic and athletic resources to support Granby High's students for generations to come.

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://ww2.nps.k12.va.us/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=3403&PHPSESSID=adcd1ee548bf5537a61d643ca25f00ae
  2. ^ http://sraa.net/

[edit] See also

Granby Street (2008)
Granby Street (2008)

[edit] External links


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