Hirschi High School

John Hirschi IB Magnet High School
Location
3106 Borton Lane
Wichita Falls, Texas 76306
United States of America
Information
Type Magnet school - Public Secondary
Established 1962
School district Wichita Falls Independent School District
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 850
Color(s)          
Athletics Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Swimming, Baseball, Softball, and Golf
Athletics conference UIL District 6-AAA
Mascot King the Husky
Team Competition - Huskies and Lady Huskies
Information (940)-235-1070
Newspaper The Husky Howl
Oversight Texas Education Agency
International Baccalaureate
Website Hirschi High School

John R. Hirschi Math/Science International Baccalaureate Magnet High School, or commonly known as Hirschi High School or HHS for short, is a four year public high school in Wichita Falls, Texas located at 3106 Borton Lane. It is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School offering the Diploma and Middle Years Program to students wishing to pursue advanced academic study in Mathematics, Science, English, Spanish, French, History, and the Arts. Also, Hirschi, an award winning member of the Magnet Schools of America Association, offers its students hands-on instruction in aviation, studio/visual art, and nursing.[1] Hirschi, which serves a population of 850 students, is overseen by the Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD) and the Texas Education Agency.

Contents

History

Recognizing the urgent need for a junior and senior high school in north Wichita Falls, benefactor and businessman John R. Hirschi turned over the ownership of property to the WFISD and in September 1962, John Hirschi Junior-Senior High School opened for operation under the leadership of Principal A.D. Neal. During its inaugural year, students chose "Columbia Blue" and "Scarlet Red" as the official school colors and the "Husky" as the school's mascot. Even though Hirschi never saw the school completed, his daughter, Mrytle Hirschi Ledford, remained committed to the education of Hirschi students until her death in 1994, often giving scholarships and financial assistance to deserving Hirschi students. During the early 1970s, the school surpassed its building capacity forcing construction of a new building for the junior high. The new Hirschi Junior High School, which for a brief time was called Northwest Junior High, was later renamed Kirby Junior High in honor of former WFISD Superintendent G.H. Kirby. The Husky Field House, which also houses the band hall, was constructed for the basketball and volleyball teams during the early 1980s and is unique to the area because of its tartan playing floors. In 1992, Hirschi High School became an official magnet school by adding a strong math/science based curriculum to its existing one as well as a multi-million dollar technology lab on the second floor. And in 1998, Hirschi became an IB World School and graduated its first diploma and certificate recipients in 2002. Authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Program since February 2002, Hirschi operates the program alongside nearby Kirby Junior High School.[2] In conjunction with Midwestern State University (MSU), Hirschi introduced dual credit courses in January 2009 to be taught on campus by a MSU professor.[3] Also, because of the school's close proximity to Sheppard Air Force Base, Hirschi has traditionally had a strong military presence from students whose parents are active or retired personnel. Hirschi is the third oldest public high school in Wichita Falls.

Student life

Many Hirschi students constantly balance a strong academic life with the several extracurricular activities the school has to offer.[4] Along with traditional student government organizations, students can participate in clubs that are dedicated to academics, community service, technology, music, JROTC and/or the theater arts. Due to Hirschi's flexible academic and social atmosphere, many students are also able to compete in varsity level sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, track, soccer, tennis, softball, baseball, and golf. Hirschi High School is classified as a Class 3A school by the University Interscholastic League and competes with other class 3A schools, both in academic and sporting events, in District 6-3A.The primary student newspaper for Hirschi is The Husky Howl which is a monthly publication and the annual yearbook is named "The Husky."

In the fall, students, teachers, alumni, and fans come together during the Hirschi football season, celebrating decades of tradition by showcasing Husky pride each and every weekend.[5] The Hirschi Huskies, who share Memorial Stadium with the other two high schools in the district, are usually supported by performances from the Big Blue Band from Huskyland, the Hirschi HiLites dance team, the Hirschi Cheerleaders, and the Hirschi Yell Squad. Hirschi’s highly acclaimed JROTC and student council, in their respective roles, help with presenting the colors and coordinating pre-game activities. In the spring, junior and senior students who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to service, and maintain a high GPA are inducted in the Myrtle Hirschi Ledford Chapter of the National Honor Society. Also, among several other student superlative awards, four students from each class are chosen in the spring to receive the "Pride of Hirschi" award, which is the highest student award that can be bestowed upon a student by his or her peers.

The 2008 average spending per pupil was $7,252.

Alma mater

During the song, students usually point their index finger towards the sky.
Loyal Forever
To our Red and Blue
This symbol of our Hirschi High School spirit true
We love you
Loyal Forever
We will always be
Mighty and fighting on to victory
During the song, students usually point their index finger towards the sky.

Our banners raise the orange and white, A symbol through the darkest night.

Our happy days within her halls, Our hearts forever will recall.

Oh Kirby Junior High so dear, We'll pledge our loyalty thorugh all the years.

Fight song

To the tune of Mister Touchdown, USA
We're gonna fight, fight, fight for victory
We're gonna shout, shout, shout for you
Hirschi High goes down the field
To any other team we'll never yield
We're gonna fight until we win this game
We're gonna make our fellow Huskies proud
So give a great big cheer for the Heroes of the year
Hirschi Huskies we're for you

Kirby Fight Song To the tune of Mr.Quarterback

Kirby Junior High, we will fight with all our might. We will win this game outright.

Kirby Junior High has the spirit true. We are loyal to our school.

Hurrah for the orange, and hurrah for the white, and hurrah for the Hounds cause we're all right.

Go, Hounds, go! Fight, Hounds, fight! Win this game with might.

Magnet Programs

International Baccalaureate Program

Hirschi High School offers to its students a challenging, rigorous, and internationally standardized program of study that prepares them academic life after high school.[6] Since March 2007, Hirschi has been authorized as an IB World School, offering the IB Diploma Program to its juniors and seniors and the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) to its underclassmen. Kirby Junior High School, which offers the MYP to 7th and 8th grade students, partners with Hirschi to facilitate the transition from 8th grade to 9th grade. As a part of a new magnet initiative, all incoming students are equipped with laptops in order to effectively assist them with the completion of their coursework both at school and home. Students who receive the IB Diploma with all passing test scores are guaranteed a minimum 24 college credit hours at any Texas public university. However, students who do not wish to take all of the courses required for the diploma program can work to obtain IB Certificates in individual subjects. Hirschi students are the only high school students in the Wichita Falls area able to take both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams at the end of the year.[7] And because of Hirschi’s manageable size, students are given personal and frequent attention by teachers as they work to complete research assignments, academic portfolios, and service projects. During graduation exercises in May, Hirschi diploma candidates are hooded by IB Coordinator, Linda Fain, for the purpose of honoring hard work and perseverance throughout the program.

Aviation

Hirschi offers a magnet program in Aviation (the school being located near Sheppard Air Force Base), designed to give students the opportunity to learn principles of aviation and aerospace.

Medical

Sheppard is also a major Air Force medical training facility; thus, Hirschi also offers a magnet program in medicine, which allows interested students to take specified courses that will immediately prepare them for college nursing programs and a successful career in the health care profession. Medical students not only have the opportunity to obtain their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license on campus but also are provided with the opportunity to train and work at local medical facilities such as United Regional Health Care System, the primary hospital in the Wichita Falls metropolitan area. Also, Hirschi students who successfully obtain their CNA license are awarded pins during graduation exercises in May.

Multimedia

Hirschi is home to a multi-million dollar technology and computer lab located on the second floor of the school's campus. Students in the multimedia program at Hirschi are given the opportunity to produce quality work in digital graphics, animation, video production, web design, newspaper, yearbook, and professional software. Also, Hirschi IB diploma candidates have the opportunity to choose visual arts as their additional IB course of study. As a testament to the work produced by students in Hirschi’s multimedia program, ten Telly Awards, a prestigious award honoring creativity in business commercials and visual productions, have been presented to the school in the past decade.[8][9]

School Awards

Teachers Awards

Music Awards

Athletic Awards

Number Sense Team

In 2009 and 2010, the Hirschi Number Sense/Calculator team won the University Interscholastic League Class 3A Texas state number sense championship, giving the school both back-to-back team championships and an individual champion (Nathan Shih) in as many years.[11]

2009-2010 Accountability Rating

Based on the accountability ratings released by the Texas Education Agency in November 2010, Hirschi High School is currently rated "Academically Acceptable."

References

  1. ^ "Magnet Schools of America 2006 Schools of Excellence". Magnet Schools of America. http://www.magnet.edu/modules/content/index.php?id=9. 
  2. ^ "Hirschi's International Baccalaureate Organization Profile". International Baccalaureate Organization. http://www.ibo.org/school/001057/. 
  3. ^ "Ann Work (October 21, 2008). "Hirschi Teams Up with MSU for New Program"". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/oct/21/hirschi-teams-msu-new-program/. 
  4. ^ "Ann Work (November 22, 2009). 'Hirschi Students Project Passions: Sophomores Use Interest in Social Service'". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2009/nov/22/hirschi-students-project-passions/. 
  5. ^ "The Husky Howl (October, 2010)". Hirschi Math Science IB Magnet High School. http://www.wfisd.net/114820823145213883/lib/114820823145213883/October_2010_Issue2.pdf. 
  6. ^ "Ann Work (September 18, 2010). 'Rigorous Research Required: Hirschi Class Prepares Students for Next Level'". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/sep/18/rigorous-research-required/. 
  7. ^ "Ann Work (June 18, 2010). 'Rider, Hirschi Ace Rankings'". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/jun/18/rider-hirschi-ace-rankings. 
  8. ^ "Times Record News Staff Writer (February 26, 2010). 'Hirschi Wins Telly Award'". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/feb/26/hirschi-wins-telly-award/. 
  9. ^ "Ann Work (March 13,2008). 'Hirschi Students Win Award for Film'". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/mar/13/hirschi-students-win-award-film/. 
  10. ^ "'What's it Like to be Teacher of the Year'. The Classroom Teacher (Winter 2009)". Texas Classroom Teachers Association. http://www.tcta.org/09TOY_Donna_Patrick.htm. 
  11. ^ "Ann Work (May 20, 2010). 'Hirschi is State Champ Times Two'". Wichita Falls Times Record News. http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/may/20/hirschi-is-state-champ-times-two/. 

External links