Homewood High School
Homewood High School (HHS) is a public high school, serving grades 9-12, in Homewood, Alabama, a surburb of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the only high school in the Homewood City School System. The student enrollment for the 2009-2010 academic year is approximately 1,000. The current principal is Dr. Kevin Maddox. Assistant principals are John Finlay, Eddie Cunningham, Dr. Desiree Smith, and Tyler Burgess. Before coming to Homewood High School, Dr. Maddox served as the principal of Homewood Middle School. In the summer of 2007, the front of the school was remodeled, and a new building, Pathways Alternative School, was constructed in the upper level of the student parking lot. The front office and lobby were also remodeled in the summer of 2008.
Homewood's colors are red, white, and blue and all competitive teams are known as the Patriots. Homewood High School also has a heated rivalry in academics and sports with local high schools Hoover High School, Vestavia Hills High School, and Mountain Brook High School.
Academics
Homewood offers 18 AP courses (US History, European History, English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Psychology, Physics B, Physics C, Biology, Chemistry, French, Latin, Spanish, Government, Studio Art, Photography, Environmental Science). The graduating class of 2009 had 236 students, with 206 students taking at least 1 AP exam. As a whole, the class of 2009 took 475 AP exams. The AP exam "pass score" of 3 or higher was 74.9% in 2009. The S.A.T. Critical Reading mean was 572 and the Math mean was 568. The average ACT composite score was 22.8. There were 3 National Merit Finalists and 7 National Merit Commended students in 2009. [1]
Music Department
The Homewood High School Patriot Marching Band participated in the 2006 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the seventh time it has performed in the parade, more than any other band outside of the New York City area. The band also participated in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, California. This was the third time that this band has performed in this parade, which is more than any other band in the state of Alabama. The band will once again participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2011.
The band is directed by Ron Pence, and the drumline is under the direction of Darren Holbrooks. An especially well-loved part of the band is the Drumline, notable for "jamming" with the student section during pep rallies and after the half-time of football games. Accompanying the band during performances is the Star Spangled Girls danceline. The "Spangles" are directed by Jennifer McClung.
The mixed show choir, "The Network," and the girls' show choir, "Legacy," are choreographed and directed by Scott Thorne.
Athletics
Homewood High School fields varsity teams in football, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, golf, tennis, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, cross country/track and field. The football team has won a 4A state championship in 1974, and 5A state championships in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005. The varsity boys basketball team also won second place in the 6A state championship in 2008 and 2010.
Waldrop Stadium
Waldrop Stadium (Bob Newton Field) is the home of the Homewood Patriots. The field is named after former head football coach Bob Newton, who led the Patriots to state championships in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005. The stadium is home to the football, soccer, and track and field teams.
Alumni
Notable alumni of Homewood High School include:
- John Zimmerman (1991), World Champion & Olympic figure skater.