Parry McCluer High School

Parry McCluer High School
Address
100 Bradford Drive Buena Vista, Virginia, 24416 USA 37°43′0.37″N 79°21′39.84″W
Information
Funding type	Public
Founded	1920
School district	Buena Vista City Public Schools
Principal	Anna Graham
Asst. Principal	Brian Bowles
Enrollment	328  (2009)
Color(s)	White and Royal Blue
Mascot	Yosemite Sam
Rival	Rockbridge County High School James River High School
Athletic conferences	Pioneer District Region C

Parry McCluer High School, also known as PMHS, is a high school located in Buena Vista, Virginia. The school has a population of approximately 340 students. Its band is The Marching Blues, its current principal is Anna Graham, and its current assistant principal is Brian Bowles.

Recent changes

The school originally used the 4x4 block scheduling system, but as of the 2009 - 2010 school year, morning classes became year long and began to alternate every other day while afternoon classes remained only a semester long. During the 2010 - 2011 school year, its entire school district switched from a 6-week grading period to a 9-week grading period. These changes was made in response to an increasing number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes being taken at PMHS.

Athletics

The school participates in a wide variety of sports under the VHSL (Virginia High School League) at the State A level, including Football, Volleyball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Basketball, Baseball, Boys and Girls Tennis, Softball, and Boys and Girls Outdoor Track. Within the state, they compete against the rest of Region C, in the Pioneer District, along with: Craig County, Bath County, Highland County, Covington City, and James River.

Parry McCluer has been very successful with its sports program. Their Football team has won the state championship 5 times. 1977, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1987, and was state runner up in the year 1991.. Their Basketball program has been the state runner up twice. The Golf team won the 1980 state championship,and the Boys Cross Country team won the 1980 single A state championship , and took runner up in the 2011-12 state championship losing to only George Mason High School .

Academic Team

In the 2010-2011 year, the Parry McCluer High School Academic Team was first place in their district and went on to become second in regions. They lost in the first round of states. The Blues starting line-up was made up by Co-Captains Josh Gardner and Jake Patterson, and by members Michael MacInnis and Olivia Williams. Other members of the team included William Stanley, Devon King, Milea Webb, and Dylan Johnston. The Team was coached by Dr. Demaree Peck.

The Marching Blues

The Parry McCluer Marching band was formed by the local chapter of the American legion in 1941. It did not become an official school unit nor take on the name "Marching Blues" until 1947. The band was very successful, especially in the 1960-1990 period, during which it won first place in marching for at least one Festival of States competition, as well as many other notable achievements. The band declined somewhat after the opening of rival Rockbridge County High School in 1992, and currently is about 5 students strong. A history of the band, as well as several documents, trophies, and photographs, were recently compiled by band alumnus Josh Gardner and can be seen in the high school band room. Currently the band has fifty seven members and has won all divisions in competitions. The band is currently under the direction of Mrs. Anna Duncan-Jarret.

Notable alumni

• Charlie Manuel The manager for the Philadelphia Phillies

External links

• Parry McCluer High School website