Towson High School

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Towson High School
Towson Law & Public Policy High School
A Tradition of Excellence
Location
Towson, Maryland
USA
Information
School district Baltimore County Public Schools
Principal Dr. Jane Barranger
Enrollment

1,500
Type Public Secondary
Grades 9-12
Campus Suburban
Song Alma Mater
Mascot "Generals"
Color(s) Maroon and White

         
Established 1873
Distinctions 2002 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
National ranking 240th
Newspaper The Talisman
Yearbook Sidelights
Homepage towsonhs.bcps.org

Towson High School is a high school in Baltimore County, Maryland, founded in 1873. Located in the northern Baltimore suburb of Towson and serving the surrounding communities of Towson, Lutherville, and Ruxton, it is part of the Baltimore County Public Schools system, one of the nation's largest school systems. Area middle schools that feed into Towson High are Dumbarton Middle School, Ridgely Middle School, and Loch Raven Technical Academy, although students from other areas attend the Law and Public Policy magnet school.[1]

In 2008, Towson was ranked #240 in Newsweek magazine's "The 1,300 Top U.S. high schools" annual national survey.[2] The school has risen steadily in Newsweek's national rankings during the 2003–2008 period, having been ranked #279 in 2007, #317 in 2006, #452 in 2005, and #511 in 2003.[2]

Contents

[edit] Structure

Construction of Towson High School's spacious present-day campus on the site of the old Aigburth Vale estate began following World War II, as the Towson area's postwar population surged upward. The attractive 5-level stone structure was completed in 1948. Its lower three floors have classrooms, a large auditorium with theater-style seating, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria. The fourth floor was originally used for administrative offices, then became an art studio, and currently contains two classrooms and a computer lab. The fifth floor of the school may not be used for classes as it would not comply with fire codes for proper evacuation. It is used to store books, and is occasionally used as an office. The library and science wing were added in the mid-1960s and the entire school underwent extensive upgrading (including the installation of modern heating and air conditioning) in the late 1990s. The school exceeded state-rated capacity according to September 2007 enrollment figures.[3]

[edit] Law and Public Policy Program

The law magnet requires seven total law credits, which can be obtained within the span of four years by approved courses. In the 9th grade, students take an Introduction to Law Research and Legal Writing Course. In 10th grade, students take a Trial Advocacy and Criminal Law course in a classroom that replicates a courtroom, complete with witness box, jury box, defense/prosecution tables, etc. In the next two years, students can choose from a variety, of electives, including Latin, forensic science, international law, business law, philosophy, and other law-related courses, to fulfill the remaining law credits required for graduation in accordance with the Law and Public Policy magnet.

[edit] History

The original Chesapeake Avenue school (1873-1906)
The original Chesapeake Avenue school (1873-1906)

Towson High School was originally located on East Chesapeake Avenue, in a small brick structure built in 1873. When it burned down in 1906, a replacement was built on Allegheny Avenue. In 1925, the high school moved to a larger 3-story brick structure at an adjacent site on Central Avenue and the vacated building was converted into an elementary school. This old Allegheny Avenue building still stands today, now used for County offices.[4]

When the current campus at Cedar and Aigburth Avenues opened as Towson Senior High School in 1949, the former Central Avenue building became a Junior High School for grades 7 and 8 and, later, Towson Elementary School. It is now a senior citizen center.[5]

With the end of racial segregation in Baltimore County public schools in 1954, the African-American student body of the old Carver High School on York Road (now the Carver Center for Arts and Technology vocational school) was merged with Towson High School.

[edit] Extracurricular activities

There are many clubs and activities in the arts, languages, music, career interests, and recreation from which students may choose. Particularly noteworthy are:

  • The school's newspaper, the Talisman.
  • The school's Yearbook, "Sidelights"
  • Colophon, the school's literary arts magazine, has won national prizes from organizations such as the National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia University, as well as state prizes from the Maryland Scholastic Press Association. It is ranked as one of the top magazines in the country.[6]
  • Towson High School's Marching Generals Band, though nonexistent for some time, was restarted by band director David Rhen in 2003.[7] As of the 2007 band camp, it now has 68 members.

[edit] Athletics

The "Generals" have won the following Maryland state championships:

Boys' basketball team, 1921
Boys' basketball team, 1921
      SPORT               YEAR
Baseball 2000
Boys' basketball 1963
Boys' lacrosse 1988, 1989, 1992
1993, 1994, 1997
Boys' soccer 1972, 1986•, 1991•     
2003•, 2005•
Boys' track and field      1953
Girls' cross country 1980, 1982, 1984
2001
Girls' lacrosse 1997
Volleyball 2001
• = denotes co-champions
Source: MPSSAA Official Tournement Records[8]


Michael Phelps, as a 15-year old student at Towson High School, competed in the 2000 Olympics, the youngest American male swimmer to do so, and later that year he became the youngest man ever to set a world record in swimming.

The traditional rivals of Towson High School's Generals are the Lions of nearby Dulaney High School.

[edit] Notable Alumni

Aigburth Avenue entrance
Aigburth Avenue entrance

The school's alumni association, founded in 1907, says it is "one of the oldest, continuous, public school alumni associations in the U.S.". Well-known alumni include:[5]

[edit] Alma Mater

Towson High School's alma mater song is:

Alma Mater

Our strong bond can ne'er be broken
Formed at Towson High.
Far surpassing wealth unspoken,
Sealed by friendship's tie.
"Amici usque ad aras"[9]
Deep graven on each heart
Shall be found unwav'ring true,
When we from life shall part.

High school life is swiftly passing,
Soon its sands are run.
While we live we'll ever cherish
Friendships here begun.

"Amici usque ad aras"
Deep graven on each heart
Shall be found unwav'ring true,
When we from life shall part.


[edit] References

  1. ^ "School Profile", Baltimore County Public Schools, Dec. 7, 2006
  2. ^ a b "The Complete List: 1,300 Top U.S. Schools", Newsweek magazine, May 21, 2008.
  3. ^ Virginia Terhune. "No stopping review of school plan", Towson Times, 2008-04-09. 
  4. ^ Gunning, Brooke. Towson and the Villages of Ruxton and Lutherville. Arcadia Publishing, 1999.
  5. ^ a b Loni Ingraham, "Alumni group celebrates 100 years, 3 schools", Towson Times, September 19, 2007
  6. ^ "Contest Winners", National Scholastic Press Association, Dec. 23, 2006
  7. ^ "Towson band marches to proud new beat", Towson Times, Dec. 27, 2006.
  8. ^ MPSSAA Official Tournament Records
  9. ^ "Amici usque ad aras" is Latin for "Friends unto death"

[edit] External links



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Baltimore County Public High Schools