Ridgeway High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
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Ridgeway High School is a public high school in Memphis, Tennessee and is part of the Memphis City Schools. Ridgeway High School first opened in 1971, hosting students from grades 7-12. Ridgeway High School now only houses grades 9-12 with the recent addition of Ridgeway Middle School in 2001. As early as January of 2007 the 9th grade will be moving to a separate Ridgeway Ninth Grade Academy.
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[edit] Academics
Ridgeway offers two basic academic programs: the Standard Program and the Honors Program. To take courses in the latter program, students must achieve certain scores on standardized tests, maintain certain grades, and meet certain course requirements. Ridgeway is known for its high scores and achievements in the city and the state. Ridgeway is considered to be a top school in the school system. Ridgeway is one of the few schools in the school system to constantly pass all required levels by the No Child Left Behind act.
Ridgeway has one of the top special education programs in the Memphis City School system and yet does not pride itself on its diverse background including those in the special ed program. Ridgeway also offers CLUE advanced English and accelerates in that department.
Ridgeway prides itself on high achievements on both the ACT and the SAT. In recent years graduates have attended Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Tulane University, Emory University, The George Washington University, and other top tier schools.
Ridgeway also prides itself on its teachers. 68% of the teachers hold either a masters or a doctoral degree. 100% of the teachers hold Bachelors degrees and a state license. The A.P. program is one of the top in the city schools. Ridgeway offers Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Statistics, American Government, European History, American History, Music Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish Language, and French language.
Ridgeway's academic rival for the past years has been White Station High School, rated in the top Hundred.
[edit] Extra-Curricular Activities
Ridgeway is home to one of the state's best high school boys basketball teams coached by Wes Henning. The Roadrunners are consistently ranked among the top teams in the state and have won many state titles. Ridgeway also has a girls basketball team, soccer teams (M/F), promising track and field teams (M/F), baseball/softball teams (M/F), a football team (M), a lacrosse team (M/F), a bowling team (M/F), a golf team (M/F), a volleyball team (F), cross-country teams (M/F), an ultimate frisbee club (Co-ed), a swim team (Co-ed), and a wrestling team (M).
Ridgeway has a school newspaper (The Orange Peel) created by the Creative Writing Class and an annual yearbook (The Chapperal) created by the Yearbook class. Ridgeway has many active clubs in areas including foreign language, mathematics, science, business, government, music, art, community service, religion, and more. There is an active Student Council , a jazz band, Model United Nations team, and a Mock Trial team. Ridgeway excels in local and national competitions of all varieties. Ridgeway Roadrunners hold positions in the All-West Tennessee Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Ridgeway also have an extensive theatre program producing both a fall and spring show every year with the help of the band and choir departments. Ridgeway also hosts an annual Fine Arts festival put on by the students with the help of the PTO.
The School also has a few special programs including Facing History and Ourselves, Ridgeway - University of Tennessee summer internships, PLATO course recovery, and Gateway exam tutoring.
[edit] Demographics
Ridgeway High School is known to have a diverse student body. The enrollment for grades 9-12 is roughly 1,500. 77% of the student body is African American, 17% is White, 5% is Hispanic, and 1% makes up the rest of the population. The promotion rate for the school is 96.5%, and the average class size is 30 students. The same diversity applies to the teachers at Ridgeway. 42% of the teachers are African American, 56% of the teachers are White, and 2% of the teachers are Hispanic.
[edit] Uniforms
All MCS students are required to wear school uniforms.
Students may wear oxford shirts, polo shirts, turtlenecks, and blouses with "Peter Pan" collars. All shirts must be white. Sweatshirts must be white, black, navy blue, tan or any other colors approved by the individual campus.
Trousers, shorts, skirts, and jumpers must be black, tan, or navy blue. Denim clothing is not allowed.
Students at Ridgeway may also wear Ridgeway Roadrunner logo clothing including sweatshirts, t-shirts, polo shirts, and other garments sold through the school.
