Omaha North High School

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Omaha North High Magnet School
Image:No image.gif
Name

Omaha North High Magnet School
Nickname

North, Omaha North, NHS, Norf High
Address

4410 N 36th Street
City

Omaha, NE 68111
Established

1924
Community

Urban
Type

Public Secondary
Religion

Secular
Students

Coeducational
Enrollment

1,800+
Grades

9 to 12
District

Omaha Public Schools
Mascot

Vikings
Colors

Blue and gold
         
Newspaper

North Star
Website

Link
Email

Link
Main Office Phone

(402) 557-3400

Omaha North High Magnet School is a public high school located at 4410 N 36th Street in Omaha, Nebraska. The school is a mathematics, science, engineering and technology magnet school in the Omaha Public Schools district. North has won several awards, including being named a 2007 Magnet Schools of America "Magnet School of Excellence".[1] The school's football team won their District championship in 2005. Gene Haynes is the current principal of North.

Contents

[edit] History

After a false start to construction in 1922 located at North 31st and Ames Avenues, the present North High was completed in 1924. The building's first principal, Edward C. McMillan, was later honored as the namesake of the nearby middle school called McMillan Magnet Center. North opened as an eighth through twelfth grade school, and the school began winning district and state awards in academic and athletic competitions in 1926. In 1932 the school earned the top place at a national debate competition. 1,711 North graduates served during World War II.

In the 1960s the school's racial composition changed as African Americans were integrated into the student body. The Omaha World-Herald portrayed the school as crime- and violence-ridden, an effort which the school's community actively challenged. After becoming a magnet school in the 1980s, white students from West Omaha were bused in, and the school's image changed substantially. In 1994 the World-Herald ran an editorial entitled, "Omaha North's Return to Excellence," and the school celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1998.[2]

[edit] Curriculum

North has won many state and national awards for curriculum innovation. Currently, the school day is extended by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant from the U.S. Department of Education. North offers higher-level mathematics courses in Omaha Public Schools and is articulating for accreditation in career and technology education. The staff is dedicated to preparing students for a highly technological, global society. The school has over 1200 networked computers and technology is pervasive in all curriculum areas. A wide variety of programming languages are offered including C++, HTML, Visual Basic and JAVA. All students and staff are issued email accounts. North's Academic Decathlon recently placed third in the state during the 2005-2006 season.

[edit] Athletics

Aside from notable basketball and soccer teams, the Omaha North High School Vikings football team has had longstanding success. North won their first Nebraska State High School Football Championship in 1929, and later in 1948, 1956, 1961, and 1967. Famed player and coach Dewey Wade was on the state football champion team in 1948 and the city champion football teams of 1949 and 1950.

The Vikings' were home to the fabled "Four Norseman" backfield in 1961 and 1962, with Nebraska Hall of Famer Bob Churchich as the quarterback. The team was the district champion in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

[edit] School Song

All hail the golden Vikings
We're here one-hundred million strong
Our hearts are always with you
Our eyes upon you every golden one
Oh yes, we're here to cheer you
And put that gold pep in each play
So fight, fight Vikings
Fight, fight Vikings
Charge and fight your way to victory!


[edit] Notable graduates


[edit] Supporting businesses

North High has longstanding relationships with a variety of local and national businesses, including Mister C's, a local steakhouse.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Past Staff/School Awards", Omaha North High School. Retrieved 10/6/07.
  2. ^ Carter, J. (1998) "History". Omaha North High School. Retrieved 10/6/07.

[edit] External links

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