William R. Boone High School
| William R. Boone High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
2000 South Mills Avenue , Orlando | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Motto | Boone Students Today, Brave Leaders Tomorrow |
| Established | 1951 |
| Principal | Margaret McMillen |
| Faculty | 280 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 3,400 |
| Campus | Urban |
| Mascot | Braves |
| Newspaper | hi-lights |
| Yearbook | Legend |
| Website | http://www.boonebraves.ocps.net/ |
William R. Boone High School is a public high school in Orlando, Florida, United States. Built in 1952, the school is one of seventeen high schools in the Orange County Public Schools system, originally created to accommodate the growing number of students at Orlando High School. The plan involved building two high schools, Orlando North and Orlando South, to take the place of Orlando High School and convert the old high school facilities into what is now Howard Middle School. The last principal of Orlando High School, William R. Boone, died unexpectedly of a heart condition before the two new schools were opened, so the school board decided to dedicate one of the high schools in his memory, then christened Orlando North as Edgewater High School after its surrounding community.
Campus
The school recently finished an eight-year renovation process and the campus, featuring a new media center and updated buildings, was rededicated in the fall of 2005. The new media center was subsequently named in honor of former principal Hugh E. Hattabaugh, who moved to Arkansas in 2005.
Academics
Ranked as a B-school under Jeb Bush's education initiatives, Boone offers many college-preparatory and technical education programs. College bound students can participate in the Distinguished Scholars program, the Gifted program, and the award-winning magnet school in criminal justice, law, and finance. Boone also offers many AP classes ranging from Calculus to Art History. Students seeking technical preparation can participate in stellar programs such as drafting, early childhood education, the Health Care Academy, the Multimedia Academy, and Tech Prep. Additionally, students can work with local community colleges and technical schools for courses specific to careers.
Additionally, the school offers three magnet programs, which attract students from all over Orange County. These programs offer four years' worth of elective courses in Law, Criminal Justice, or Finance, with an aim of preparing students for similar majors in college. All of these tracks have won awards from the county and state.
Students
Boone High School has a diverse population with over 3,400 students and 280 faculty and staff members. Almost a quarter of the students receive free or reduced lunch, and the population served by Exceptional Student Services is growing. As of 2005, Boone is a magnet for the hearing impaired population of Orange County and provides many outreach programs to the community including the American Sign Language club.
Extracurricular Activities
Academic
Boone's various academic organizations are a notable part of the school's identity. One of the most successful is the Law Magnet's Mock Trial Team, which competed at the state level four times since 2002, including two second-place finishes in 2005 and 2007, and winning in 2006. The program has increasingly grown in excellence since 2002. The Math Club has close to 150 regular members, some of whom compete in subject areas in regional Mu Alpha Theta competitions. Some students volunteer in the Math and Writing Centers, helping other students with homework, concepts, and assignments. Thespian Troupe 1139 competes in local theater competitions, and the Drama Club schedules productions several times each year. The school's marching band, the "Sound of the Braves," recently took fifth place in class 5A at the Florida Marching Band Competition. Additionally, the school sponsors numerous foreign language clubs, Art Club, the community-service based Information Society, and many other clubs.
Athletic
Boone is a member of the Orlando Metro Conference, and participates among the largest classes of the FHSAA state athletic competitions. Recently, the school's most successful teams have included boys' football, girls' basketball, boys' baseball, boys' and girls' cross-country, boys' bowling, boys' golf, girls' softball, girls' tennis, and boy's and girls' water polo. Historically, Boone has held a rivalry with Edgewater High School, and the schools compete in football each year for a "Spirit Barrel." In 2007, the football team had the best season (14-1) in school history. They won the Metro Conference and eventually advanced to the FHSAA 6A State Championship game, where they faced Miami Northwestern High School, which was ranked first in the nation, losing by a score of 41-0.
The 200-member "Sound of the Braves" marching band regularly participates in band competitions, as well as performing at all home and away football games.
Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps
The school's NJROTC unit, which was formed in 1980, has been considered a distinguished unit for the past 10 years. The unit has been to the NJROTC state finals for the past several years and currently participates is community service, Drill Competitions and Color Guards. Also, students participating in the program can take courses in Naval Science and other electives.
Administration
The current principal is Mrs. Margaret McMillen, who was formerly the principal at Lockhart Middle School.
Notable Alumni
- Ericka Dunlap, 2004 Miss America
- Ron Karkovice, former Major League Baseball player
- Mike Maroth, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Stacey Mack, former American Football running back
- Paul Wilson, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Joe Oliver, former Major League Baseball player
- Malcolm Bricklin, automotive entrepreneur
- Antonio Tarver, professional boxer