Burlington High School (Vermont)

Burlington High School (BHS) is a public highschool located in Burlington, Vermont. BHS' current (since 1964) campus is its' fourth. Two of the former buildings still exist, one (1900–64) as the Edmunds Elementary and Middle School complex while the second one used in the late 1800s is now a private residence.

Student life

Community service

Students of BHS are expected to complete a collective amount of 40 hours over the course of their academic career with the HS. Community service fairs have been held at the school, with information about local organizations needing volunteers. A blood drive has been hosted twice a year. Donation was limited to students over the age of 16.^[1]

Curriculum

Burlington High School requires the typical 24 credit load to graduate: 4 mandatory English, 3 mandatory science, 3 mandatory history, 3 mandatory math, 1 or 2 foreign languages (including French, German, Chinese, Spanish, and Latin) most reach level 2, 1 computer literacy, 1/2 health, 1 and 1/2 gym, and 1 art or music (including band, chorus, clay, metals, and others). After these requirements have been completed, students are left with 5 elective credits to choose, which can span any of the aforementioned subjects.

Recognition

15 graduates qualified for National Merit Scholarships in 2008.^[2]

Campus

Burlington High School is composed of 5 main buildings, labeled A,B,C,D, and E. There is also an F building, which contains Burlington Technical Center (BTC), a regional technical center that is attended by both BHS students and other high school students from other towns around the county. A building is the largest; it houses the school's cafeteria, gymnasium, music department, and auditorium, but contains only a few classrooms. B building is occupied by foreign-language and art classrooms, with the school's library on the first floor. C building is occupied by the English and the history departments, while E building is used by the mathematics and science departments. D building contains mostly exploratory programs, such as computer literacy, health, etc.

Sports

The sports teams include cross country, alpine, basketball, field hockey, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, football, soccer, track including Indoor Track, and "longboat" (Cornish pilot gig) racing.^[3]

Recognition

• The basketball team won the Division 1 state championship in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2008.^[4]
  • In 2007-8 they won all 24 games, the first Division I team in Vermont to have a perfect season in 25 years.^[5]
  • The team had a 37-game winning streak as of January 2009. The team was 59-2 since fall 2006. The only losses were to Rice.^[6] Rice's 6 losses in the same timeframe have been in games with BHS.
• The boy's tennis team won the Div. 1 championship in 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2006.
• Boys' baseball Division I state champions 1966, 1969, 1979, 1983, 1984^[7]
• Football Division I 1967 and 1970.^[8]
• The football team won the Div. 2 state championship in 1964, 1974, 1999 and 2006^[8]
• Lacrosse won the Div. 2 title in 2007^[9]
• Boys soccer Division I 1987, 1996,^[10] 1997^[11] and 2008^[12]
• Boys tennis Division I 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006^[13]
• Girls tennis Division I 1979 and 1980^[13]
• Girls Division I soccer state champions 2008^[12]
• Boys Indoor Track Division 1 state indoor track champions, Winter 2009
• Boys Outdoor Track Division 1 state outdoor track champions, Spring 2009
• Boys Division 1 Hockey won the state championship in 1985 and 1998.
• Boys Ski Team won several state championships and were New England Champions in 1972.
• Boys Cross-Country Team went undefeated 72-0 in regular season meets over several years in the early 1970s.

Other extra-curricular activities

The French, Spanish, Chinese, Latin, and German foreign-language programs have taken annual trips to Europe, Peru, or Costa Rica, depending on the language. Burlington High School also has a Model United Nations (MUN) club. The MUN club has taken yearly trips to Europe.

The Drama Club has produced three annual productions, a musical, a one-act festival, and a three-act production. The one-acts are student directed.

The school also has clubs that aid in various local and international issues, including Amnesty International, Interact Club, Eco Club, and the International Club.

Clubs such as BHS Heroes (community service), Walks on Water (student-led Christian club) and the BHS Writer's Club are just a few of the wide range of clubs offered.

Notable alumni

• John Dewey (1874), University of Vermont Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Doctor of Educational Philosophy (Johns Hopkins University), Psychologist, Educational Leader and Professor
• Grace Coolidge (1898), First Lady of the United States^[14]
• Fred Householder (1928) linguist^[15]
• Doug Racine (1970), current state senator, former lieutenant governor of Vermont
• Jessica Seinfeld (1989), author
• LJ Strenio (2007), professional freestyle skier
• William Colby (1936), Director of Central Intelligence

References