Renaissance High School
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| Renaissance High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
6565 W. Outer Drive Detroit , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Examination High School of Choice/College Preparatory |
| Motto | "A School for the Mind, A Mind for the Future" |
| Established | 1978 |
| School district | Detroit Public Schools |
| Principal | Gail Russel-Jones |
| Faculty | 45+ |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Number of students | 1000+ students |
| Mascot | Phoenix |
| Website | schools.detroitk12.org/Renaissance |
Renaissance High School is a public high school located within the city of Detroit, Michigan. Renaissance is one of four magnet high schools in the Detroit Public Schools district (the other ones being Cass Technical High School, Detroit School of Arts, and Communication & Media Arts High School ).
Founded in 1978 on the previous site of Catholic Central High School, Renaissance's first senior class graduated in 1981. A new building for the school, on the site of the former Sinai Hospital, was dedicated in 2005.
Admissions
Renaissance High School is a high performing school. As originally envisioned, a test was administered annually to eighth grade students from public and non-public schools in the area. A combination of the student's grades in junior high school and the score the student received on the test determined admission into the school. That policy continued into the early 1990s. Transfer students were not allowed to attend Renaissance. This policy was changed in 1994, however, and transfer students are allowed to attend the school, although they must abide by the same graduation requirements as other students.
When Renaissance was initially founded, community members were concerned that reliance on a standardized test would result in the school's admitting too few African-American students. In 2006, more than 90% of the student's body is African-American.
Renaissance opened in 1978 with first-year ("freshman") and second-year ("sophomore") students. Its first four-year graduating class received their diplomas in June 1982.
New campus
In 2005, the school moved into a $200 million+ campus complete with a state-of-the-art language and computer labs, and state-of-the-art football field. The building has been recognized as the first Silver-LEED certified building in the city of Detroit for meeting high environmental standards. Features include solar collectors, a rainwater harvesting system, and innovative cooling systems.
Detroit-based GunnLevine Architects (GLA) was selected by Detroit Public Schools as their Master Architect for the $128 million Sinai Educational Campus. GLA was selected due to their extensive healthcare background with notable educational expertise to design an innovative educational campus to meet Silver LEED certification requirements.
After a thorough feasibility study of the former Sinai Hospital, Principal in Charge Francis Resendes concluded that programming would be compromised if renovations were to be implemented. The prior facility configuration and structural systems presented a liability in its net-to-gross ratio for its re-use as an educational campus. GLA offered alternative programming and suggested creative options that increased programming without affecting budgets. GLA also worked with community groups bringing synergy to the entire process.
Cost projections matched the client’s estimates and after the preliminary designs were approved, GLA designed a new 397,000 sq ft (36,900 m2) high school within a 43-acre (170,000 m2) educational campus, a blue-ribbon high school, vocational high school, and the Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural School (FLICS). Programming required 397,000 sq ft (36,900 m2) , of which 76,400 sq ft (7,100 m2) is allocated for amenities such as a triple gymnasium and a 600-seat auditorium with a fly loft and orchestra pit will provide a much needed theatrical performance area in the district.
The state-of-the-art theater is designed to serve the accessibility needs of the special education students and technology needs of all students. As the school colors are burgundy and white the school spirit is shown in the theater. The school will also serve as a regional sports facility with a triple gymnasium that embraces daylight harvesting along with an artificial track and football field.
Because of the specialized areas and needs within the program, GLA established a team of 13 consultants to ensure that this multi-purpose campus exceeded all expectations. Project Manager, Jennifer Durham, was responsible for managing the communication and coordination of all disciplines (including auditorium, acoustical, kitchen, pool, lighting, and sustainable design specialties).
The campus provides students and adults with special needs, the least restrictive environment possible and opportunities to assist them in overcoming social stereotypes within a mixed-use educational campus. Students from grade 9 to age 24 will have access to an adaptive physical education space and physical therapy area, as well as speech, occupational and vocational therapy settings.
Academics
Renaissance High School has long been recognized for its excellence, garnering numerous awards. The consistent benchmark for academic standards within the Detroit Public Schools had to lower its GPA standards in 1994 and 2008 in the face of declining city population and charter school enrollment. The GPA was later raised again to a 2.5 after 2008. Yet, the school boasts many enterprising alumni in the fields of publishing, business, the arts and sports. In 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, [US News and World Report] highlighted the school as one of America's top high schools. Renaissance was also awarded the Michigan Blue Ribbon and the National Ribbon of Honor in 2002. Nearly 90% of seniors attend a 4-year college or university every year (with the few exceptions coming in the form of military enlistment). In 1998, the school saw 100% of its graduating seniors attend college for the first time.
Sports
Renaissance High School's most successful Sports team has been the women's track and field team. Starting in the year 2000 the Renaissance girls track and field team won 7 straight Class B State Championships.
Renaissance High School has developed an exceptional basketball program. After years as an also-ran, the men's basketball team won its first city championship in 2000. The men's team won its first state championship in 2004 & a second in 2006.
The women's basketball team has been a perennial state championship contender since the early 1990s. After years of close class, the women won their first state championship in 2006 as well.
The football program began play as a Junior Varsity sport in 1994 before going Varsity in 1995. The team has made numerours playoff appearances, including winning a division championship in their first varsity season. The football team won their first city championship in 2004 led by Captain Andre Criswell.
The women's tennis team and men's golf team have been very successful since the 1980s.
The school's girls softball team also added to the schools winning success. The team has won 10 PSL City Championships between 1997 and 2009. In addition, they were State District Champions in years 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Recently, (2006) Renaissance has acquired a swim team, even without a pool being present. They practice at neighboring Mumford High School.
The Girl's Swim Team have won 4 out of 5 City Championships since its induction (2006,2007,2008 and 2010) The girls were City Runner-Up in 2009.
The Boy's swim team has also been very successful winning 2 out 4 City Championships since its induction (2008 and 2010) The boys were City Runner-Up in 2007 and 2009
School Alma Mater (to be accompanied by song)
We're proud of number one. Our hearts and spirits soar. For knowledge, strength, and dedication thankful evermore.
Oh Renaissance, We sing to thee our praise and gratitude eternally.
O hail phoenix the best for eternity!
Notable alumni
- Rickey Paulding
- Joe Crawford
- Malik Hairston
- Andre Criswell
- Tajuan Porter
- Ronald Bartell
- Carson Butler
- Mark J. McGinnis
This fall semester we have had the personal honor for Mark J. McGinnis that attends the high school to become a United States Senate Page and has had the honor to work for the U.S. Senate for the Fall Semester of 2010. he is sponsored by Senatro Carl Levin and will graduate from Renaissance High School in 2010.
External links