LaGrange High School (Georgia)

LaGrange High School
Location
LaGrange , Georgia United States
Coordinates	33°02′46″N 85°02′04″W
Information
Type	Public Secondary
Motto	"Preparing students to excel through Leadership, Honor, and Service"
Established	1903
School district	Troup County School District
Principal	Steve Cole
Grades	9–12
Number of students	1342
Campus	Urban
Color(s)	Royal Blue & White
Mascot	Granger
Newspaper	LHS Tribune
Website	LaGrange High School

LaGrange High School, located in LaGrange, Georgia, is a public secondary school serving 1342 students in the Troup County school system. Founded in 1903, the school is notable for producing several collegiate and professional athletes and was the national champion football team in 1991.

The school's mascot is often recognized as being one of the most uncommon among high schools; The Granger. The term Granger refers to a farmer, or homesteader. The school does not use a farmer as logo or mascot, instead using a large star with an interlock "LG" in the center. According to anecdotal tradition the name was originally selected for its alliterative pairing with the school name, not for its connotations of farming.

The town and high school derive their name from a connection to the French soldier and statesman, the Marquis de La Fayette, who had earned the love and respect of Americans through his service to the United States during the American Revolution.

LaFayette was the guest of the United States Government from September 1824 until December 1825. During this time he spent two weeks in Georgia with Governor George M. Troup serving as his official host. During this time he visited the burgeoning community and commented how much it reminded him of his home; LaGrange (French for "The Farm"). To honor LaFayette the town was named after his home.

Athletics

LaGrange High athletics are very proud of their many professional athletes such as Mike Cameron, Dernell Stenson, Tony Stargell, Tyrone Poole, Wesley Woodyard , and many others. The sports offered at LaGrange High School are: Tennis, Football, Cross-Country, Track and Field, Cheerleading, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Baseball.

The football team has won many championship titles- 19 time region champions, 11 time state champions, and 1 time winner of the USA Today National Championship in 1991. The current head coach of the football team is Steve Pardue. There is an independently maintained football website, which has nearly 6 hours of video highlights.

Fine arts

Art -

Band - Building a record of Superior Ratings and performances is the mission of the LaGrange High School Band, nicknamed "The Sound of Champions." Currently under the direction of Jarrett Farrell, the program has posted superior ratings in Concert and Marching during his tenure. The band performs at all Football games, Pep Rallies, Civic Parades, Performance Evaluation, and Seasonal Concerts. In an average school year the band program will perform publicly 35 times.

Chorus - recognized for their outstanding Spring Productions, the L.H.S. choir is an outstanding ensemble that involves hundreds of students. Director Emeritus Marty Davis served 17 years as the director of the program, building from a small ensemble to a point of pride for the school and the community. Currently under the direction of Katie Westbrook, a product of the program, the choir continues to produce outstanding shows that play to packed houses.

Drama - The Drama Department includes theatrical acting, stage managing, cinema, and an International Thespian Society chapter. Two plays and a competition piece are performed every year. Director John Riggs, MFA, is in charge of the program and alumni include Julian Gluck, President of the World Finger Jousting Federation.

Orchestra - A new addition to the Fine Arts Department, the orchestra program allows students who studied strings, privately or at West Side Magnet School, to continue their participation in a school ensemble. The String Program made its Concert Debut at the Christmas Fine Arts Concert on December 11, 2008. The string program performed seasonal songs as well as the original version of Pachelbel's Canon in D. The program is directed by Jarrett Farrell.

Clubs and activities

• Academic Team
• Band
• Black History Program
• Chorus
• Communities in Schools
• Policy Debate
• DECA
• Drama
• FFA
• FCCLA
• Foreign Language
• Granger Entertainers
• National Art Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• National TECH honor society
• SAGE
• Service Club
• Step Team
• Student Council
• Yearbook

Details of Involvement Opportunities

INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES – ATHLETICS

LaGrange High School is a member of region 2-AAA. Scholastic eligibility is governed by the Georgia High School Association. All participants must have a physical examination by a doctor before participating in any athletic team practice. In order to participate in any extra-curricular activity, students must have passed 5 of 6 courses the previous semester and be on track for graduation. LaGrange High School competes in the following sports: football, softball (girls), basketball (boys and girls), wrestling, baseball, track (boys and girls), tennis (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls), cross country (boys and girls), golf (boys and girls), cheerleading (boys and girls), swimming (boys and girls), gymnastics (girls), and volleyball (girls). 28 Student athletes who have recently moved to or who will be moving away from LaGrange High School need to contact the Athletic Director to discuss eligibility issues. Students who wish to talk about additional activities being offered should contact the Athletic Director. Student Insurance- Parents have the opportunity to purchase school accident insurance for their children. School time and twenty-four hour coverage will be available. Student athletes are required to purchase school insurance. Athletic Insurance does not cover injuries incurred during the school day. NCAA Clearinghouse-Any senior wishing to participate in athletics on the college level after graduation from high school MUST submit high school transcripts and eligibility papers to the NCAA Clearinghouse during his/her senior year. For more information, see the athletic director or your guidance counselor.

INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - BAND AND AUXILIARIES The LaGrange High School Marching Band is an extension of the daily Concert and Symphonic band classes. The Marching Band starts practicing during late summer and continues until after the last football game in the fall. Other than performing at all football games, the band also performs in various parades and in competitions throughout the year. When involved in competition, the members of the marching band and its auxiliaries are governed by the Georgia High School Association and members must meet its scholastic eligibility requirement. To participate, a student must be academically eligible. Other auxiliary units associated with the marching band are the Granger Guard, dance line, majorettes, percussion, and drum major. Band members as well as the members of the student body can audition for a position in these groups. All members of the auxiliary units are encouraged to be a part of daily Concert and Symphonic band classes. Auxiliary units, which are a part of the LaGrange High School Marching Band, are subject to the same rules and guidelines as the instrumentalists in the band. Student Insurance- Parents have the opportunity to purchase school accident insurance for their children. School time and twenty-four hour coverage will be available. Band students are required to 29 purchase school insurance. Band Member insurance does not cover injuries incurred during the school day.

INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES – CLUBS National Honor Society- The National Honor Society is an academic club for students with a 3.5 GPA or above which is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Admission to the club is based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Students interested in becoming a member must make application through the advisor. Students whose grades render them eligible for consideration must then be elected by a 2/3 majority vote of the Advisory Council.

SAGE - SAGE stands for Students Assisting Georgia Educators. It is made up of students who share an interest in helping the teachers, faculty, and staff at LaGrange High School. Students interested in becoming a member can get further information at Club Night which will be help at the beginning of the new school year. The LHS Service Club - LaGrange High School students are afforded the opportunity to participate in a variety of service related activities through the LaGrange High School Service Club. Students are recognized at an end of the year breakfast for their service contributions based on the service hours achieved. Information concerning Service Club requirements will be made available prior to club night, which will be held at the beginning of the new school year.

INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES – LEADERSHIP Student Council- Student Council representatives from each class will be elected by the student body each August to serve that school year. The council is made up of ten representatives from each grade, with officers elected from among these representatives. Members must be academically eligible, maintain an overall 2.5 grade point average, maintain satisfactory conduct and be an active member. Any student having been assigned to ISS or OSS during the current or previous semester is not eligible to serve as a student council representative. 30 Class Officers- Each class will have a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Class Officers will be elected by the student body each August to serve that school year. To be eligible to run for an office, a student must be a member of the class, be academically eligible, maintain an overall 2.5 grade point average, and maintain satisfactory conduct. Candidates must secure the recommendation of three faculty members, one of which must be their assigned administrator. Any student having been assigned to ISS or OSS during the current or previous semester is not eligible to serve in the council for that school year.

INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES – YEARBOOK Members of the yearbook editorial and business staffs are chosen in the spring for the following year by personal interview with the yearbook advisor. Students must apply and submit letters of recommendation from teachers if they wish to participate. [1]

Academic Calendar

2010-2011 SCHOOL CALENDAR

August 11, 12, 16, and 17 2010		Pre-Planning
August 18, 2010		First Day of School
September 7, 2010		Labor Day Holiday
October 9, 2010	;	First Nine Weeks Ends
October 15, 2010		Professional Learning / Student Holiday
October 16, 2010		Fall Break
October 27, 2010		Early Release Day (Half Day)
November 25, 26, 27, 2010		Thanksgiving Holidays
December 18, 2010		1st Semester Ends
December 21 - January 1, 2011		Christmas/New Year Holidays
January 4, 5, 2011		Professional Learning /Student Holidays
January 6, 2011		2nd Semester Begins
January 14, 2011		Early Release Day (Half Day)
January 18, 2011		MLK Birthday Holiday
February 15, 2011		Presidents’ Day
March 11, 2011		Third Nine Weeks Ends
March 18, 2011		Early Release Day (Half Day)
March 19, 2011		Professional Learning /Student Holiday
April 5–9, 2011		Spring Break
May 21, 2011		Last Day of School
May 24, 25, 26, 2011		Post Planning
May 31, 2011		Memorial Day

[2]

Code of Ethics

Grangers believe in the value of:

HONESTY Honesty is fairness and straightforwardness of conduct. It is truthfulness and sincerity.

INTEGRITY Integrity is the adherence to a code of moral values.

RESPECT Respect is to honor or to esteem. It is to show high consideration for something or someone.

RESPONSIBILITY Responsibility is accountability, trustworthiness, and reliability. It is the ability to choose for oneself between right and wrong.

GREATNESS Greatness is to accomplish. For the one who can achieve this, there is abundant hope.

The application of these four qualities of good citizenship will foster a better learning environment for students at LaGrange High School. Grangers will apply these qualities to school authorities, fellow students, and themselves. [3]

External links

• LaGrange High School