Robinson Secondary School
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| James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School | |
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Home of Champions
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| Address | |
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| 5035 Sideburn Road Fairfax, Virginia 22032 |
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| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Information | |
| School district | Fairfax County Public Schools |
| Principal | Dan Meier |
| Assistant principals | Rick Mondloch |
| Staff | approximately 400 |
| Enrollment |
4,041 (2006) |
| Middle school | 1,230 |
| High school | 2,811 |
| School type | Public secondary school |
| Grades | 7–12 |
| Language | English |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Mascot | Rams |
| Color(s) | Blue and gold ██ |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Feeder schools | Bonnie Brae Elementary School Clifton Elementary School Fairview Elementary School Laurel Ridge Elementary School Oakview Elementary School Terra Centre Elementary School |
| Rival schools | Lake Braddock Secondary School Oakton High School Westfield High School |
| Athletic conferences | Concorde District Northern Region |
| Homepage | http://www.fcps.edu/RobinsonSS |
James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School, known as Robinson Secondary School, opened in 1971, is the largest public school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.[citation needed] The main building itself is the largest public building in Fairfax County.
Robinson is located just south of the city of Fairfax and George Mason University. The school is administered by the Fairfax County Public Schools. Robinson offers the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs and currently enrolls over 4000 students in grades 7-12, about 700 per grade. The school colors are blue and gold and the school mascot is a ram.
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[edit] History
Robinson was named after Medal of Honor recipient James W. Robinson, Jr., the first resident of Virginia to be awarded during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Robinson, age 25, was fatally wounded under heroic circumstances in South Vietnam in April 1966, while serving in the infantry in the U.S. Army.
Robinson Secondary School opened its doors in September 1971, taking its students from Fairfax, W.T. Woodson, Oakton, and West Springfield high schools. Robinson was the second of Fairfax County's "Secondary Schools," or "superschools," which housed grades 7-12. Robinson's chief rival to the east, Lake Braddock, which opened two years later in 1973, was the third of these schools from this era. The first was Hayfield, near Mount Vernon, which opened in 1968, and the most recent is South County in Lorton, which opened in 2005, taking its students from former Hayfield territory.
[edit] Demographics
In 2005-2006, Robinson's student body was 68% White; 6% Black; 9% Hispanic; and 17% Asian.
[edit] Robinson DECA
Robinson has an accomplished DECA program, part of the Central Fairfax Chamber. Since 1971, the DECA Chapter has elected over twelve state officers, including four state presidents. The Robinson DECA Chapter has nine international first place DECA awards as of 2007. It holds the all-time record for first place wins in State Chapter competitive written events from 1994-2006. In 2005, the Chapter set a new single-year achievement record, winning three Chapter Written events: Public Relations, International Entrepreneurship Promotional Plan and Civic Projects. Over the past ten years the members have captured over $50,000 in local, state and national scholarships.
In 1994, the Chapter lobbied for the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act before the US Congress and Senate. Over the next seven years, the students lobbied Capital Hill for the Ricky Ray Bill, which provided $100,000 in restitution for nearly 10,000 Americans infected with AIDS through FDA-approved drugs. When the bill was passed, notable members of the House praised the group for its service. Porter J. Goss and Tom Davis both stated the bill would have never passed Congress without their help. The success of the effort inspired lobbying for seven additional bills before Congress, including laws about Lifetime Caps, Blood Diamonds, Hep-C, Good Samaritan Law for AED users, Teen suicide, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, and Anti-Tobacco Legislation.
[edit] Administration
Robinson Secondary School, the largest school in the Commonwealth of Virginia, includes a middle school (grades 7-8) and a high school (grades 9-12). Each grade is operated as a sub school, with its own administration. Dan Meier is the Principal of Robinson Secondary with Richard Mondloch as his Assistant Principal. Meier came to Robinson from Rocky Run Middle School where he was also head principal before which he was at Chantilly High School where he was a teacher and head football coach, winning a AAA Division 6 title in 1996 with the Chargers as well as two more state championships with West Potomac.
Because of its immense size, Robinson Secondary is organized into one sub school for each grade. When the school opened, each sub school included two grades, with half the alphabet, and were numbered 1-6 (e.g. Sub School 1 was grades 7-8, last names A-K; Sub School 2 was grades 7-8, last names L-Z, etc.)
[edit] Layout
Although it has nine acres of floorspace, the school's layout is relatively simple, as are most Fairfax County Schools. It consists of a main hallway that runs east-west and is over 600 feet (183 m) long, with three primary wings that extend to the north. Each wing has two floors, with each floor housing one of the six grades (each a "sub school" with about 700 students). Each sub school contains a locker area and administrative offices in the front, with the academic areas to the north.
Across the main hallway at the east end (across from grades 7-8), is another extensive two floored wing. This houses industrial arts, art, home economics, business, and foreign languages. Also along the main hallway are the two smaller hallways, Academic Hallway and High School Hallway that run perpendicular to the south of the main hallway, with classrooms and two large cafeterias on either side, which is directly south of grades 9-10. Music rooms are south of the cafeterias. Further west down the main hallway are the main administrative offices, across from grades 11-12.
At the west end of the main hallway, to the south, is the large gymnasium, the Harry M. Smith Field House, which has more than enough bleacher capacity to seat the entire student body. Three of the four sets of bleachers have full basketball courts underneath, the fourth is large enough, but is used for storage. There is a wrestling room, locker rooms, two weight rooms (one for highschool, one for middle school) and many storage rooms. On the south side of the field house are the athletic and P.E. locker rooms and athletics offices.
At the far west end of the main hallway is the octagonal Russell Theatre (formerly the "Little Theater", named for the school's second principal, Robert C. Russell), which hosts the numerous theatrical productions of Robinson's drama department as well as performances by the schools orchestras, choirs and bands. This northwest corner of the main hallway is the main entrance to the school. The outdoor athletic facilities are to the west.
[edit] International Baccalaureate program
Robinson is host to the International Baccalaureate Program and graduates approximately 90 students a year as full Diploma candidates. Additionally, several hundred students participate in the program as Certificate candidates electing to take only a few IB classes. At the moment, Robinson boasts the largest IB program in the US.
[edit] Fight song
Unlike most high schools, which normally adopt a college's fight song as their own, Robinson's fight song was composed specifically for them. Entitled "J.W. Robinson Fight Song", and written by John Buchanan, the lyrics are as follows:
Stand up for Robinson
For the Blue and Gold
Sing your praises, everyone
For R-O-B-I-N-S-O-N ROBINSON!
Strive on for Robinson
'Till the fight is won
Let's move, let's show
Let's GO RAMS GO!
For Robinson!
At football games, the Marching Band typically plays the fight song three times upon a touchdown or upon winning the game. They will usually play the fight song once through upon a successful field goal, or loss of the game.
[edit] Athletics
The mascot is a ram and the sports teams currently play in the AAA Concorde District and the AAA Northern Region of the Virginia High School League.
[edit] Teams and AAA state champions
- Football
- Division 6 State Champions in 2001 and 1997. State runner-up in 2004 and 1988.
- Varsity, JV, and Freshmen teams.
- Basketball
- Girls State Champions in 1996, 1995, 1990, 1981, 1980, and 1977. Girls state runner-up in 2000 and 1999. Boys state runner-up in 1987 and 1978.
- Varsity, JV, and Freshmen teams for both Boys and Girls.
- Soccer
- Girls State Champions in 2008, 2002, 1996, 1994, and 1984. Girls state runner-up in 1999. Boys state runner-up 2000 and 1987.
- Varsity and JV teams for both Boys and Girls.
- Baseball
- State Champions in 1980. State runner-up in 2003 and 1978.
- Varsity and JV teams for Boys only.
- Softball
- State Champions in 1986.
- Varsity and JV teams for Girls only.
- Tennis
- Boys State Champions in 2008, 2007, and 2006. Boys state runner-up in 2001, 1983, and 1982. Girls state runner-up in 1981.
- Varsity only for both Boys and Girls.
- Lacrosse
- Boys State Champions in 2007, 2006, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, and 1991. Girls State Champions in 2003, 1994, and 1993. Girls state runner-up in 2006.
- Varsity, JV, and Freshmen teams for Boys; Varsity and JV teams for Girls.
- Champions crowned prior to 2006, but not sponsored by VHSL until then.
- Cross Country
- Girls State Champions in 2001 and 1991. Boys State Champions in 1999 and 1982. Girls state runner-up in 2000, 1996, 1990, and 1983. Boys state runner-up in 1990, 1989, and 1983.
- Varsity only for both Boys and Girls.
- Indoor Track and Field
- Girls Indoor state runner-up in 1989.
- Varsity only for both Boys and Girls.
- Outdoor Track and Field
- Girls Outdoor state runner-up in 1973.
- Varsity only for both Boys and Girls.
- Swim & Dive
- Boys State Champions in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Girls State Champions in 1994, 1993, 1992, and 1991. Girls state runner-up in 2008.
- Varsity teams for both Boys and Girls.
- Champions crowned prior to 1997, but not sponsored by VHSL until then.
- Wrestling
- State Champions in 1985, 1981, and 1980. State runner-up in 1987, 1984, 1975, and 1974.
- Varsity and JV teams.
- Golf
- State runner-up in 1979.
- Varsity team.
- Field Hockey
- Varsity and JV teams for Girls only.
- Gymnastics
- Boys State Champions in 1999 and 1998. Girls State Champions in 1984. Boys state runner-up in 1982, 1974, and 1973.
- RSS currently only has a Varsity Girls team.
- VHSL did not sponsor Boys Gymnastics after the 1985 season. Champions were crowned after that point until the sport widely disbanded across the state in the early 2000s.
- Cheerleading
- Varsity, JV, and Freshmen teams to coincide with Football and Basketball seasons.
- Volleyball
- Varsity, JV, and Freshmen teams for Girls only.
- Boys team year-to-year if participation is sufficient. Officially a club team at RSS.
- Ice Hockey
- Year-to-year team if participation is sufficient. Officially a club team at RSS and not sponsored by VHSL.
- Crew
- Boys and Girls teams officially club teams at RSS and not sponsored by VHSL.
- Girls Varsity State Champions in 2007 and currently 4th in the nation.
- Rifle
- Smallbore and Air Rifle teams. Officially a club team at RSS and not sponsored by VHSL.
- Fencing
- Officially a club team at RSS and not sponsored by VHSL.
[edit] Football
The Robinson Rams Varsity Football Team is one of the many popular sports teams at the school. The team plays at Coffey Stadium, and its helmet is currently similar to that of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. Given the team's popularity, long-time success, and sizable student body, the Rams regularly attract 7500 fans a game.
Robinson has appeared in the state championship game of Virginia's largest football classification (AAA Division 6) four times (1988, 1997, 2001, 2004); winning twice (1997, 2001). Robinson has won the Northern Region title six times: 1977, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2001, and 2004, and the district title (Northern ('72-'92), then Patriot ('93-'04)) in 1977, 1979, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Robinson was moved to the Concorde district in the fall of 2005.
In 2004, the Robinson Rams were undefeated through the regular season and three playoff games, but met another undefeated team, Landstown of Virginia Beach in the state finals in Richmond. Landstown won 47-20, and Robinson finished as state runner-up with a record of 13-1. Landstown featured stand out offensive and defensive player Percy Harvin who has since gone on to stardom at the University of Florida; winning the MVP of the 2006 SEC Championship game and 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year.
In 2005, the Rams went 9-1 during the regular season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to new rival Westfield of Chantilly. In 2006, Robinson was 6-4, losing four very close games. In 2007, Robinson had an up and down 6-6 season, highlighted with a 41-14 win over Stone Bridge, the eventual 2007 AAA Division 5 state champions. The Rams made a return to the playoffs which started with a 17-14 upset over Chantilly, the 2006 AAA Division 6 Runner Up, in the first round. However, their season ended with a 30-28 loss to West Springfield in the semifinals, when West Springfield made a field goal with only 15 seconds left in the game.
[edit] Head coaches
The Robinson varsity football team has had four head coaches in its history: Kurt Lindstrom (1972-74), Ed Henry (1975-82), Nick Hilgert (1983-96), and Mark Bendorf (1997-present).
Ed Henry, Robinson's second head coach, was the first to take the team to the postseason, in 1977 (state semifinals) and 1979. Henry was a head coach in Fairfax County for over 25 years (159-82-14, .651) and was inducted into the VHSL Hall of Fame in 1997. Before coming to Robinson in 1975, he led a strong program at Marshall (44-17-1, .718) for six seasons (and was portrayed in the 2000 movie Remember the Titans). Before Marshall, Ed Henry was the head coach at Annandale for 9 years (60-22-6, .716), winning a state championship in 1965. He departed Robinson after 8 seasons (43-35-5, .559) following the 1982 season to become an assistant coach at the University of Virginia.
Nick Hilgert and Mark Bendorf were former assistant coaches at Robinson, promoted from within. Hilgert, a former captain in the Marines (with two tours in Vietnam in the 1960s), was an assistant under Ed Henry for a decade at both Marshall and Robinson, initially coaching the defensive backs. He was at Robinson for a total of 21 seasons (1976-96), the final 14 years as head coach (101-52, .660). Nick Hilgert was the first head coach to take Robinson to the state finals in football (1988); he retired from teaching and coaching in the spring of 1997.
During Hilgert's tenure, Robinson produced its most famous player, running back Chris Warren (class of '85). Warren played for the NFL Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. He rushed for over 7600 yards in the NFL, including 4 consecutive seasons over 1000 yards while with the Seahawks (1992-95). Chris Warren led the AFC in rushing in 1994 with 1545 yards in 333 attempts.
The current head coach, Mark Bendorf, was a former head coach at Chantilly before joining the Robinson staff as defensive coordinator under Hilgert. Bendorf was the first coach to lead the school to a state title in football, which he did in his first season of 1997, with a perfect 14-0 record. In total, he has led the team to three state title games, winning twice (1997 & 2001). Robinson's recent regular season records have been impressive, specifically in the 7 seasons of 1999-2005, when Robinson lost a total of 4 regular season games.
Through the 2006 season, Bendorf is 86-13 (.869) in the regular season (which includes a 5-5 season in 1998 and 6-4 record in 2006), and is 14-6 (.700) in the postseason for an overall record of 100-19 (.840).
[edit] Track and field
1982 alumnus Robert Muzzio represented the United States in the decathlon at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Most recently, the men's outdoor track & field team won district and regional team titles in 2006.
[edit] Cross country
In addition to the state champion teams listed above, the teams also won regional championships in 1981, 1991, 1992, 2000, and 2002, and district titles in 1972, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2006.
[edit] Swim and dive
The men's team has won six consecutive state championships from 2003-2008 and has been one of the dominant swim teams in the state of Virginia. The women's team has also done exceptionally well. The head coach is currently Rich Gordon.
[edit] Tennis
The Robinson Rams boys' tennis team has been the dominant team in Virginia's Northern Region for an extended time. The Rams have won district titles in 14 of the last 15 years, and have won more than 15 total. The tennis team has amassed more than 8 regional titles, and in 2006 was the state champion (the first from the Northern Region since 1994 and the first in school history). It repeated this feat in 2007 and 2008, winning the boys triple crown three years in a row by taking the state singles, doubles, and team titles. The tennis team has had a winning percentage of over .800 in its last 10 seasons. In February, 2007, the coach of both the Boys' and Girls' Team, Paul Fisher, was awarded the title National High School Tennis Coach of the Year by the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR).
[edit] Lacrosse
Even though lacrosse is a relatively new interscholastic sport, the Robinson lacrosse team has participated in numerous state championships over the years, winning eight of them. Since 2006, the Rams have won both of the two first official lacrosse state championships (2007 and 2006). The team won unofficial state championships in 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993 and 1991. The team won the Northern Regional Championship in 2007, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993 and 1991 and district titles in 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991. Since the inception of varsity status in 1991 the boys have a team record of 214 wins, 49 losses and 1 tie.
[edit] Athletic venues
[edit] Coffey Stadium
Coffey Stadium is the main field for their football, soccer, track and field, and lacrosse teams. The total bleacher capacity is about 9,000 with about 500 grass seats. The stadium is named for Samuel J. Coffey, Robinson's first principal.
[edit] Robert Menefee Stadium
Robert Menefee Stadium is the Robinson baseball stadium. It is named after a former long-time Rams baseball coach, and features one of the few all-natural-grass infields in Fairfax County. The current capacity is about 1,000.
[edit] Smith Field House
The Henry M. Smith Field House is the home court to the basketball teams and the volleyball team. It is the primary student gym with four separate basketball courts. It is also sometimes used for indoor soccer games and roller hockey games too, and as part of normal physical education classes, and includes the wrestling room.
The field house also hosts the homecoming pep rallyand carnival prior to the homecoming football game, when there are consistently overflowing crowds, once reported to hit about 8,500 spectators, double the school's student body.
[edit] Arts
[edit] Robinson band program
Being one of only four high schools in the United States to boast two Sudler Flags of Honor, the James W. Robinson Band program is a highly successful music program that values growth in musicianship, leadership, and teamwork. The program is led by directors Denny Stokes, Mike Cook, and Judy Einus and consists of more than ten performing ensembles in both middle and high school. It is also a frequent recipient of the Virginia Honor Band Award. Like many other activities at Robinson, the band encourages new students to participate. Robinson Band web site
[edit] Robinson orchestra program
Along with its band counterpart, the Robinson Orchestra program itself (Headed by Anne Rupert) is one of the most esteemed in Virginia. They have participated and thrived in numerous international music festivals over the years. The program consists of two high school (Symphonic and Concert) and three middle school orchestras (Sinfonetta, Intermediate, and Beginner). The Symphonic orchestra may also play as a full philharmonic orchestra, which then includes some members of the symphonic band.
[edit] Robinson choral program
The Robinson Choral Program (commonly known as the Robinson Choral Department) is led by director Michael Horanski. He joined the department in 2005, coming from Dorseyville Middle School near Pittsburgh, PA. The Department has four high school groups (Concert Choir, Treble Ensemble, Select Women's, and Robinson Singers) and two middle school groups (Mixed choir, and Women's Choir)which are directed by Margaux Bookbinder. All the choirs have received numerous first-place awards in choir competitions all over the country. The department is open to any students who wants to sing in the choir. For more information, visit Robinson Sings
[edit] Robinson drama program
The Robinson Drama program is currently led by the director and teacher Douglas "Chip" Rome. Robinson productions have been frequently nominated for awards from the Washington Post–sponsored Critics and Awards Program. In 2005, Robinson students won much acclaim for their production of "Metamorphoses," and were the recipients of the award for Best Play. Robinson produces two mainstage shows, directed by Chip Rome and performed on the Russell Theatre stage, every year. Robinson's drama program began in 1971. The star of its very first production (She Stoops to Conquer) was Scott Ellis, who has since gone on to have a successful career on Broadway. Ellis, whose twin brother Mark also attended Robinson, is known as a very successful musical director, having directed productions such as 1776, The Rainmaker, Steel Pier, Picnic,The Man Who Had All the Luck, Twelve Angry Men (the cast of which included Richard Thomas and George Wendt), plus numerous stage appearances, as well as television (Frasier episode, 2002), and specials Live from Lincoln Center: A Little Night Music and many other credits. He most recently directed David Hyde Pierce who won a Tony Award for his performance in Curtains. Among the cast was another Robinson graduate, Nili Bassman. Ellis himself has been nominated 5 times for a Tony Award as Best Director, including for both Curtains and Twelve Angry Men. The department is currently working on the musical Les Miserables.
[edit] LSD scandal
In 1991 Robinson was the center of an LSD trafficking scandal in which a drug ring sold more than 100,000 doses of LSD in the course of two years.[1] The ring was exposed when a 16 year old Robinson student shot and wounded a Fairfax police officer.[2] In the course of the investigation it was revealed that six Robinson and Lake Braddock graduates were receiving large quantities of the drug through the mail.[3] One of the men who was facing the harshest penalties faked a suicide and fled the area, only to be caught two years later in St. Louis and sentenced to 24 years in prison with no possibility of parole.[4][5]
[edit] References
- VHSL-Reference
- Virginia Preps Rivals.com VHSL Coaching records (inactive coaches)
- ^ "LSD Ring Alleged at Va. School" - The Washington Post
- ^ 3rd Man Pleads Guilty In Fairfax LSD Case; Defendant Admits He Sold Drug to Juveniles
- ^ 1 Convicted, 1 Acquitted in Va. LSD Trial;Case Revealed Free-Flowing Drug Parties Among Middle-Class Suburban Teenagers
- ^ [ibid]
- ^ Drug Ring Leader Who Faked Suicide Gets 24 Years
[edit] External links
- Robinson Secondary Homepage
- Robinson Secondary IB Homepage
- Robinson Secondary School Band
- Robinson Secondary Drama Department
- Robinson Secondary SGA
- Robinson Choral Department
- Robinson Swim & Dive team
[edit] Booster organizations
- All Night Grad Party
- Athletic Boosters
- Band Boosters
- Crew Boosters
- Drama Boosters
- Orchestra Boosters
- PTSA
- Robinson Community Coalition
- Chorus Boosters
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