| Garinger High School | |
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Where the world meets for class everyday
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| Location | |
| Charlotte, North Carolina, US | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1959 (with heritage dating to 1909) |
| Principal | Shelley Hinton |
| Staff | 107 teachers |
| Enrollment | 1673 |
| Number of students | 1786 |
| Color(s) | Blue and Gray |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| Information | (980) 343-6450 |
| Website | http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/Garinger/ |
Garinger High School (or simply, Garinger) is a high school located in the Shamrock area of Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1959, it was one of the oldest remaining schools in Charlotte. Garinger was in essence the relocation of Central High School, Charlotte's first high school. That school was founded in 1909 as Charlotte High School and renamed Central High in 1923. Central Piedmont Community College now stands where Central High once stood; one of CPCC's main buildings is known as the Central High building (and was formerly called the Garinger building). The school is named for Dr. Elmer H. Garinger, a former superintendent of the Charlotte City Schools.
In early 2006 the school found itself threatened with closure by the State of North Carolina, but has received backing from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Garinger's feeder schools are Briarwood Elementary, Devonshire Elementary, Hickory Grove Elementary, Merry Oaks Elementary, Shamrock Gardens Elementary, Windsor Park Elementary, and Winterfield Elementary.[1] The corresponding middle schools are Cochrane Middle School, and some students from Eastway Middle School and Northridge Middle School.[2]
Former National Football League star Dwight Clark is Garinger's most famous graduate.[3]
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Garinger is located in northeast Charlotte at 1100 Eastway Drive. The campus can also be accessed from Shamrock Drive, East Sugar Creek Road, or for sporting events Meadow Lane.
Garinger's campus is designed by AG Odell, Jr., and Associates, who also designed several other famous buildings in Charlotte. The campus covers roughly 63 acres (250,000 m2) and consists of several detached buildings, many of which have interior courtyards. Near the center of campus sits a unique round building with a conical roof, which served as the original library. It has since been converted into classroom space and much of the interior integrity has been lost. A new two-story library was added in the 1970s. [1]
The campus was considered state-of-the-art when it first opened, winning many architectural awards for its unique modern buildings. Garinger was even featured in a 1962 edition of National Geographic as Charlotte-Mecklenburg's showplace high school. [2]
Garinger has many long standing traditions. There have been teams that wear blue and gray and called themselves wildcats in Charlotte since 1909, the year that original Charlotte High School was founded. This school later became Central High School in 1923, and Garinger High School in 1959
Garinger's fight song is based on The Washington and Lee Swing
The official symbol of Garinger High School is the weeping willow tree. The school's annual literary magazine is called Under the Willow Tree
Snips and Cuts is the GHS yearbook. It has been published since Charlotte High School's original founding in 1909. There are archived copies in the school library going back to this date.
The Rambler is the school newspaper. It can also trace its history back to the school's founding.
Garinger has a highly successful and very proud band program. The Garinger band often wins statewide competitions. BFSM, or the Blue Funk Sound Machine in the year of 2009-2010 have won first place in every competition that they have attended in their division. The high step marching band have also won first place runnerup in the whole state of North Carolina at the state competition.
Garinger's mascot is a wildcat, and the school colors are royal blue and gray. These traditions harken back to the Charlotte High School days. The School competes in the MEGA 7 3A/4A conference as part of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA)
While competitive and occasionally successful in basketball and golf, the Wildcats have struggled greatly in other sports, most notably football (discussed below). Garinger often sells out its intimate 600-capacity gym for basketball games against West Charlotte and Independence.
One of Garinger's historic forms, Charlotte (later Central) High School, was a football powerhouse and used American Legion Memorial Stadium as its home field in its latter days.
Garinger's current stadium is Phil Hughston Memorial Stadium, named for a player who died from injuries sustained in a 1971 football game.
(*) As Charlotte or Central.
From 2001-2007 Garinger was stricken by North Carolina's longest active losing streak and 2nd longest all-time streak. In September 2007 the streak reached a staggering 51 games before news broke of violations by North Mecklenburg, Providence and Vance High Schools. Garinger was retroactively awarded wins against North Meck and Vance ending the streak. The streak was also reduced to 49 games as a result of having played Vance in August. In July 2008, due to further evidence in a cheating scandal that swept Charlotte football, Garinger's final record for 2007 was declared to be 4-7, the school's best record in well over two decades. [3]
The all-time record is 59 losses in a row by the now defunct Gumberry High (consolidated into Northampton County High School - West). On October 6, 2008, while celebrating the school's 100th anniversary and homecoming, Garinger had their first honorable win against West Mecklenburg High School, beating them 32-12. They went on to end the season with a couple more wins and even making it to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2008 playoffs. Garinger lost in the first round but did make history by making it back to the playoffs in 18 years.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historical Landmarks Commission is considering placing Garinger High School on their study list. If placed on the study list a motion would go before the city council who would vote on the issue.[5]
In the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year two schools were inaugurated to the CMS system, on the Garinger Campus; New Technology High School @ Garinger and International Studies @ Garinger. But these 2 schools wouldn't be alone because a year later in the beginning of the 07-08 year 3 more schools were added; School of Math and Science @ Garinger, School of Leadership and Public Services @ Garinger, and School of Business and Finance @ Garinger.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools announced that the 5 small school at Garinger High School will become a one big school again with the name of "Garinger High School" for the 2011-2012 School year.
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