Baker High School (Mobile County, Alabama)

Baker High School, is located in the western part of Mobile, Alabama, and is a public high school operated by the Mobile County Public School System. The school educates students in grades 9-12.

History

Baker School, established in 1903, was originally a one classroom school for grades 1-12. In 1927, the school became an official part of the Mobile Public School System. This change brought new buildings to the campus. In 1930, the building right of the original school house would serve as the main building. The school received so much growth to the extent that a state-of-the-art building had to be built behind the historic structure. In the 1960s the school was split in two with a lower and upper class levels. Also, new buildings were built with the lower elementary school absorbing the original building, and a 2-story building built for the high school. Later, with the reform of Baker districts, the elementary school would be renamed and moved to Snow Road and the elementary school buildings became of Causey Middle School. Causey was later moved to Snow Road, and the Causey Buildings were once again added as part of Baker High School. In early 2008, the school system decided to destroy the 107-years-old building. The old "annex" still remains that was once Baker school.

Building

The current main building was built in the late 1970s to accommodate a growing West Mobile population. The building was built as a Bomb/Storm Shelter with no exterior windows in the original design. The walls are steel reinforced concrete. A concourse connects the main structure to the gym and new auditorium. The school was remodeled starting in 2001 and ending in 2004. The gym was expanded 40 yards, an auditorium was built, the main building was repainted, walls replaced, a sprinkler system added, and new doors installed with windows, the football stadium was expanded to twice the previous capacity and a new wing was added to the lower school. The school has its own Baseball Stadium, softball field, football stadium, basketball gym, track, and practice field for both football and band. The original building from 1903 was torn down in early 2008 and was listed as a historic landmark by the County of Mobile.

Student Life

Publications

Baker High School publishes a semi-monthly newsletter called the Hornet Herald. Articles can be found online at Baker's Website under the section School Publications.

Uniforms

As part of the Mobile County Public School System, Baker High School conforms to a uniform policy.^[1] Although the website claims that students are able to wear either baby blue or white polo shirts, in 2011 the policy changed to exclude blue shirts. Exclusion of prohibited accessories does not affirm their legality.

Clubs and Organizations

Baker High School has a large selection of student clubs and organizations, including the Multicultural Club, Art Club, French Club, National Honors Society, Key Club, Harry Potter Appreciation Club, The Writer's Guild, Science Fiction/Fantasy Club and Mu Alpha Theta.^[2] Baker also participates in the Model United Nations, hosted by Davidson High School.^[2]

Baker's academic teams, Scholars Bowl[4] and Hi-Q Team[5], have won awards competing with other schools in the county.

Controversies

The school's administration was hesitant to allow the formation of the Lumberjack Club, as it was seen as a mock organization, whose sole purpose was to make fun of other clubs or the entire club system at Baker, but it was eventually allowed when students acquired a teacher to sponsor the club.

In spring 2010, students led a surprise dance party on the concourse during lunch. Teachers and students in class at the time gathered to the area to watch, causing a disruption. The party was eventually shut down by an assistant principal.^[3]

References

1. ^ [1] Baker High School's current uniform policy, as shown on its website. However, students will tell you that the policy has changed to exclude baby-blue shirts from being worn.
2. ^ ^{a b} [2] Baker High School's clubs and organizations.
3. ^ [3] A link to the event's Facebook page, so named "Concourse Throwdown 2011."

Athletics