George Walton Comprehensive High School: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 20:43, 9 July 2007
| George Walton Comprehensive High School | |
|---|---|
| Seal of Walton High School | |
| Address | |
 | |
1590 Bill Murdock Rd. , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public (charter) high school |
| Established | 1975 |
| Principal | Dr. Tom Higgins |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 2,600 (Approx.) |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Red, White, and Blue |
| Mascot | Raiders |
| Newspaper | The Centurion |
| Yearbook | The Legend |
| Website | www.waltonhigh.org |
George Walton Comprehensive High School, usually referred to simply as "Walton High School," is public high school located in suburban Marietta, Georgia in the United States. It resides in eastern Cobb County and is a charter school in the Cobb County School District. It is a School of Excellence and one of the top schools academically in Georgia.
For many years Walton has been among the top high schools in Georgia in SAT scores.[1] In 2006, almost 800 Walton students took over 1,800 Advanced Placement exams, making it the school with the greatest number of test-takers in Georgia. Walton was also one of six featured "Outstanding American High Schools" by U.S.News & World Report in 1999 because of its great parental involvement and overall high level of achievement.[2]
History
Walton High School was established in 1975. When it was built, construction was heavily influenced by the open classroom movement of the 1970s. Various sections of the school have been renovated in the past, and entirely new halls have been added, each time with their own distinct type of architecture and style. Throughout these many years of construction, especially in recent years, mobile classrooms, colloquially called "trailers," were added to accommodate for the classrooms rendered unavailable. A small number are still in use today, primarily for required Health classes.
Walton has been a Georgia School of Excellence since the program's creation in 1984 and in the same year was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.[3][4] Walton became a charter school in 1998.[5] This charter, renewed in 2002 and currently up again for renewal, has allowed Walton to alter and transcend certain regulations the state school board put into place to further academic and extracurricular success.
Mailbox Bashing Controversy
In days after August 12, 2000, Donnie Newsome and Vincent Errico, seniors at Walton, were arrested for stealing a GMC Suburban, bashing 20 mailboxes, and dumping the car in the Chattahoochee River during the night.[6] Newsome was faced with 3 felony charges and over 20 misdemeanors, while Errico was not indicted. Newsome was eventually sentenced to a year in jail, five years on probation, and reparations of $24,000.[7]
Much of the controversy concerned the two football players' eligibility to be on the Raider football team after the incident. Walton's then-current principal, John Flatt, proclaimed their innocence and stated he would allow them to play in the coming week's opening football game. A day later, however, the two were ejected from the team and all other extracurricular activities until their cases were resolved.[8] While Errico was allowed back on after he was cleared of charges, Newsome's suspension from school was upheld. Errico returned in time for the homecoming game.
Dumb & Dumberer
Portions of the 2003 box office bomb Dumb & Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd were filmed in the Walton auto shop, science rooms, and cafeteria.[9]
Campus
Walton's campus is not substantially large for its number of students, and it resides amidst several suburban neighborhoods. The school building today is a conglomeration of many years of separate renovations: the B Hall and G Hall are each only one year old, lying on opposite ends of the school, while the Technology Wing (T Hall) remains relatively unchanged after many years. A new rotunda entrance was added at the same time as the B Hall, and the cafeteria was recently expanded.
Outside of the building, the campus includes football, baseball, softball, and soccer fields, as well as tennis courts. The football and baseball fields are often referred to as Raider Valley and Raider Mountain, respectively, due to their elevation below and above the school. Several parking lots provide spaces for teachers and limited spaces for students, who must participate in a raffle to receive one. The lower parking lot, or E Lot, is sometimes called Pride Field by marching band members due to it being the band's practice space during the fall.
In 2005, the bleachers for the football field were remodeled to be covered with metal, rather than concrete. A timing tower was erected nearby soon after for the track and field team in honor of Case McKee, a student who died while at Walton in 2004.
Almost directly across the street is Dodgen Middle School, which feeds into Walton.
Student Life
Walton High School contains about 2,600 students in grades 9-12. The class of 2006 contained 572 students, 95% of whom enrolled in a 4-year college or university. The ethnic composition of the school is approximately 79% white, 15% Asian, 4% black, and 2% Hispanic.[10] The average income in the area is over $140,000.[2][11] These figures are at least partially due to the many families that move to the district primarily for the educational opportunity.
Most Walton students take six classes a semester, making seven periods a day, including one lunch period usually either third, fourth, or fifth period. Some students opt to forgo lunch, or "audit," in place of another academic or elective class. Seniors are allowed the option of "Minimum Day" in which students may only take five classes (dropping a lunch period, as well) and leave to go to their occupation outside of school. Also, homeroom, or "advisement," is between first and second period instead of before all classes like in most high schools.
Students and parents are also given access to grade, attendance, and behavior reports and updates online at the school website. This, along with the already large parent participation in school activities, organizations, and events, provided for even more parental involvement in each student's education.
Dodgen and Dickerson Middle Schools are Walton's feeder schools.
Faculty
121 full-time and 15 part-time teachers are employed at Walton, as well as 7 full-time and 2 part-time administrators. Including other special resource teachers and support staff, Walton has 174 full-time and 21 part time employees.[10] The student-teacher ratio is 20:1, above the state average of 14:1.
Again proving extensive parent involvement, in 2005, 45 teachers had students who were currently or previously enrolled at Walton. 11 attended Walton as their high school, as well.[12]
Charter
Walton gained charter status in 1998, renewed in 2002, and is in the process of renewing again for 2008. Walton's administration has made several changes to the school's policy and schedule, among other areas, through this. One of the changes is the Walton Governance Council, which replaces the original local council in matters pertaining to the maintenance of the charter and its renewal every 5 years. This larger and more diverse council was also a change given by the charter itself to better represent its stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, administrators, and others).
Possibly Walton's most noticeable change is the Walton Enrichment Block, or WEB, which shortens classes one day a week (usually Wednesday) to provide students several hours to complete missed assignments, receive individual instruction, or simply leave early. WEBs only occur on weeks without any other events, such as county-mandated teacher workdays or early releases.
Walton also allows students to take additional classes before and, if the new charter renewal petition passes, after school. Many students today take advantage of 0 Period to take an additional course each day before the normal school day begins. 0 period is also included the "Flex Schedule," in which students may leave after 6th period by taking a 0 period class, thus still giving six classes and a lunch period. The proposed 8th period would likely serve similar purposes as 0 period.
The use of online grade, attendance, and discipline reports on the school's website is another long-standing addition. Parents are encouraged to visit the site to keep track of their student's progress and to maintain overall parental involvement in each student's education. Other changes to Walton's policy include using textbooks other than those specified by the county and having local control over funds given by the state.
One other significant change Walton makes, though not specifically regulated by the charter, is known as the Incentive policy. If a student has A averages (90-100%) in any classes, he or she may exempt the final exams at the end of the semester for any two of them. The same is allowed if the student misses two or fewer days of that class. The student will also receive an additional 10% on each final taken with the attendance incentive.
The new petition also proposes a new method of evaluating teachers called the "Collaborative Growth Model," a release from mandated End of Course Test days that conflict with AP exams, and recognition of Project Lead the Way courses as being worthy of half a quality point towards a grade point average.
Extracurricular Activities
With a large number of students in the school, many clubs, groups, and societies exist for a variety of interests. Walton has, for example, a Beta Club, a National Honor Society, and a Habitat for Humanity group. It also has Young Democrats and Young Republicans clubs and a Future Physicians Club.[13] Aside from general interest groups, service clubs, and honor societies, students may participate in various sports, fine arts, and academic organizations.
Athletics
Walton won the first two All-Sports trophies in Georgia history[citation needed], as well as five consecutive volleyball championships.[citation needed] In recent years, it has won state championships in girls and boys tennis[citation needed], girls cross country[citation needed], boys soccer[citation needed], and boys baseball in 2007[citation needed].
Teams
Athletic Director
- Coach Steve Jones
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Music
Walton's orchestra is comprised of over 200 students. Both it and the band receive consistent superior ratings at District Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE). In 2002, the orchestra performed in New Orleans at the National School Board Association Convention.[14] The orchestra completed a 10-day concert tour of Austria in 2004 and another tour of Prague, Vienna, and Berlin in 2007. The Walton Philharmonia performed at the Midwest Clinic in 2005, the second time in its history.
The band at Walton contains over 250 students and participates in marching competitions as well as the annual District LGPE. In 1998, the Walton Marching Raider Band performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[15] The marching band performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st, 2003. In 2005, it performed in front of the USS Missouri in Hawaii and placed third in the Bands of America Regional Competition in Atlanta. In 2006 the band placed 21st at the Bands of America Grand Nationals Competition in Indianapolis.
Walton's chorus is comprised of four choirs that have performed in the cathedrals of St. Bartholomew and St. Patrick in New York City and the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. They have been featured on a local FOX station and have performed in many events around the city.
Academic
The Walton Academic Bowl team has won the GATA varsity state championship from 2004 to 2006. It has won numerous prestigious awards and its members were National Champions in 1995. The team also consistently wins the annual High Q competition. Academic Bowl is a cornerstone of Walton High School and its academic achievements.
The Science Bowl team won the state championship in 2004 and 2005 and, also in 2005, placed third in the national competition.
Traditions
- Walton's primary high school rivals are Wheeler High School, Lassiter High School and Pope High School.
- On the first day of school, seniors are expected to wear all black dresses with Hawaiian leis if female or a Hawaiian shirt if male.
Fight Song
The fight song is known to have been chosen because it was the first and "easiest one in the book." The words are sung to the tune of "Minnesota Rouser":
We're the Raiders of Walton High,
We sure do have a whole lot of pride,
And we're here to say, "Raiders fight!"
F-I-G-H-T!
Go Raiders, fight tonight!
Raiders, raid on and on!
Alma Mater
Raise up your voices, hold your heads up high,
George Walton's loyalty is calling to your heart,
I will remember when I must depart,
Honor, wisdom, and fraternity.
Notable Alumni
- Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes[16]
- Robin Finck of Guns N' Roses[16]
- Blaine Boyer of the Atlanta Braves[17]
- Actress Mitzi Kapture
References
- ^ Governor Perdue, Superintendent Cox Announce Georgia’s Top 25. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
- ^ a b George Walton Comprehensive High School Charter School Renewal Petition September 2002 (Appendix A). Retrieved April 5, 2007.
- ^ Past Schools of Excellence. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ Blue Ribbon Schools from Georgia. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ Charter School History Since 1993. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ GRAND JURY INDICTS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER ON THREE FELONIES. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
- ^ Cobb student gets year in jail for mailbox bashing, theft. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
- ^ Suspects in mailbox case kicked off team Reversal follows reaction to plan to let them play football tonight.. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
- ^ Filming locations for Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003). Retrieved May 6, 2007.
- ^ a b George Walton Comprehensive High School Charter School Renewal Petition June 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ The Avenue East Cobb Demographics. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
- ^ Nose to the grindstone. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
- ^ Clubs & Organizations. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ Orchestra Home Page. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ Our Program. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Robin Finck Biography. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
- ^ Blaine Boyer Player File. Retrieved April 22, 2007.