Spanish River Community High School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spanish River Community High School
Spanish River Community High School
Name

Spanish River Community High School
Principal

Susan Atherley
Address

5100 Jog Road
Town

Boca Raton, FL 33496
Established

1983
Community

Suburban
Type

Public high
Students

Coeducational
Grades

9 to 12
Accreditation

Southern Association of College and Schools
District

The School District of Palm Beach County
Mascot

Sharks
Colors

Blue and Silver
Newspaper

The Galleon
Yearbook

The Tiburon
Website

Link

Spanish River Community High School is a public, coeducational high school serving the cities of Boca Raton and Delray Beach as part of the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida. The school was rated an "A" school by the Florida Department of Education in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 [1] and ranked 410 in the 2004 Newsweek list of the 1,000 Top High Schools [2].

Contents

[edit] History

Spanish River opened in 1983 and graduated its first senior class in 1985. Built to relieve crowding at Boca Raton Community High School and in anticipation of the tremendous growth of suburban Boca Raton, the campus was initially isolated and surrounded by farms. Quickly, the campus was filled beyond capacity as the surrounding area rapidly developed. Additional classroom space was constructed in 1985 and again in 1988. Twenty-two years later, the campus expanded again as the district completed construction on the Countess de Hoernle Auditorium.

The school opened under the direction of Dr. William Pinder, who was appointed in 1982 to oversee the staffing and opening of Spanish River.

Following Dr. Pinder's transfer to other duties two years later, Dr. Arthur Johnson was transferred in from nearby Boca Raton Community High School. "Dr. J.", as he was affectionately known by both students and faculty, became known for his management philosophy of "work hard, play hard." Under his administration, Spanish River became well known for a strong academic program which was balanced with a lively social calendar and a prominent athletic program. Johnson's stern disciplinary hand, perhaps best exemplified by his visibility between classes and use of a bullhorn to discourage tardiness, emphasized the importance of focusing on studies. Johnson also became well-known for his involvement in student activities, especially actively taking part in football season pep rallies.

Johnson left to accept a promotion in 1997 and was replaced on an interim basis by long-time assistant principal Barbara Porcher. In time for the beginning of classes in the fall of 1997, Dr. Wallis Sherman was promoted to principal after several years as an assistant principal elsewhere in the district.

The shortest, and most turbulent, administration belonged to Bonnie Fox. Appointed to replace Sherman in 1999, Fox quickly imposed a strong management philosophy which ran against the faculty's traditional expectations. Faced with a vote of "no confidence" by the faculty and a deteriorating relationship with prominent parents, Fox accepted reassignment to other duties in November of 1999.

[edit] Principals

  • William Pinder, Ph.D. (1983-1986)
  • Arthur C. Johnson, Ph.D. (1986-1997)
  • Barbara Porcher (1997)
  • Wallis J. Sherman, Ed.D. (1997-1999)
  • Bonnie C. Fox (1999)
  • Geoff McKee, Ph.D. (1999-2003)
  • Constance Tuman-Rugg, Ed.D. (2003-2007)
  • Susan Atherley (2007-present)

[edit] Programs

[edit] The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History & Law

In 2005, Spanish River was selected by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to host the Institute's first high school history program in the southeast United States. With the support of the Institute, the school has implemented a four-year American history program and a companion legal studies program. Students in the program take a course in American history each year.

The program also includes a unique Saturday Academy program for middle and high school students. The Saturday Academy features narrowly focused, in-depth courses in American history which give students and teachers the time and flexibility to study topics that may otherwise not be fully addressed during school hours [3].

[edit] Biotech Academy

In 2006, the Spanish River Biotech Academy was created in order to attract new students to the school and to lead education in Palm Beach County. Initially, classes were held in science rooms at the school. However, in 2007, the school plans to create a special building for the Academy, reportedly in place of the revered "Little Theater". The building is planned to be completed by Judgement Day.

The website of the Biotech Academy can be accessed from the school's web page.

The person in charge of the academy is Mr. Eric Dybas.

[edit] Overcrowding

Due to the addition of the new Biotech Academy at Spanish River High School, students from other schools are permitted to attend Spanish River High School in the same way that a student can apply to a Magnet School outside of their homes' zoning (such as International Baccalaureate). School overcrowding is so prevalent in the 2007-2008 school year that Dr. Atherly was required to hire multiple new teachers in order to teach the same classes with less kids (there are more than 300 unexpected students this year). Consequentially many students have had to have their schedules changed.

[edit] Athletics

[edit] State Titles

Spanish River's athletic teams have won a number of state titles, including championships in:

  • Girl's Cross Country (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) [4]
  • Boy's Soccer (1997) [5]
  • Girl's Soccer (1996, 1997, 1999) [6]
  • Boy's Tennis (1989) [7]
  • Girl's Tennis (1987, 1989) [8]
  • Boy's Swimming (1987, 1989, 1990, 1991) [9]
  • Girl's Swimming (1986, 1987) [10]
  • Boy's Volleyball (2006, 2007) [11]
  • Girl's Volleyball (1989, 1991, 1996, 2003) [12]

[edit] Rivalries

The school's traditional athletic rival is Boca Raton Community High School, though this has varied as the athletic districts have realigned over the years and as local schools have grown or contracted in population. In the 1980s, the Spanish River-Boca High rivalry was at its peak as both schools vied for city bragging rights. In varsity football, the two public schools, along with parochial Pope John Paul II Regional High School, each played the other two schools annually. The school with the best record in city competition was awarded the city championship trophy. By the mid-1990s the rivalry had faded and Spanish River has not played PJP in several seasons.

With the opening of Olympic Heights Community High School in unincorporated west Boca Raton in 1991, the major football rivalry shifted. OHCHS was formed primarily by students and faculty transferred from Spanish River creating a natural bond and athletic rivalry.

Rivalries also vary by sport. Girl's volleyball has an intense, long-running rivalry with Olympic Heights. Girl's soccer has a strong rivalry with Wellington High School, Parkland-Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, and the St. Andrew's School of Boca Raton.

[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] Television

[edit] Athletics

[edit] Music

  • Ryan Shore, 1992 (film composer, Prime)
  • Larry Michaels, 2003 (Professional singer)

[edit] Professional