James Monroe High School (Virginia)

For schools with a similar name, see James Monroe High School.

James Monroe High School
Location
2300 Washington Avenue Fredericksburg, VA
Information
Type	Public
Established	1920
School district	Fredericksburg City Schools
Principal	Dr. Daryl Chesley
Color(s)	Orange and black
Mascot	Yellow Jackets
Website	James Monroe High School Website

James Monroe High School is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is a four-year public high school in the Fredericksburg City Schools system. The school is named after James Monroe; the current school building opened to students in September 2006. James Monroe is well known in its region for its football, field hockey, academic, tennis, basketball, cross-country running, golf and other various athletic and competitive teams, as well as its band and orchestra. James Monroe High School is part of the VHSL AA Battlefield District.

James Monroe High School is fully accredited by the Virginia State Department of Education.

History

Fredericksburg, Virginia has had education available to the public since 1870. However, the first four-year high school was not organized until 1908, with the first class graduating in 1911. Opened in 1920, the building now known as Maury School was Fredericksburg's first real high school. It was originally called Fredericksburg High School, but in 1939, this name was changed to honor the nation's fifth president, James Monroe, who had his law office in the city from 1786-'89.

The second James Monroe High School building was constructed in 1952, and a wing was added in 1959. From 1981-1983, a large renovation project modernized the entire building, and another wing was added. The Arthur H. Schwartz Memorial Athletic Complex was constructed during 1985-1986, providing a new track, tennis courts, and a baseball field.

Up until 2005, Fredericksburg City Public Schools used an unusual system of grade levels and schools. James Monroe High School carried 8th through 12th grades. However, the construction of a new upper elementary school in the school district in 2005 allowed for the system to become standardized. The class of 2009 was the last eighth grade class of James Monroe High School.

Demolition of the old JM high school building, August 2006

The second high school was demolished in June through August 2006. The new replacement high school began construction in June 2004. It opened August 2006, and is built in the back of the second high school. The Class of 2010 will be the first graduating class to go through all four years at the third JMHS.

VHSL State Championships

• 2008 Football
• 2005 Academic Quiz Team
• 2003 Boy's Tennis
• 2002 Boy's Tennis
• 1996 Football
• 1987 Football
• 1986 Football

Notable alumni

• Erin McKeown, Folk Singer
• George Coghill, retired defensive back for the Denver Broncos
• Keller Williams, one man jam band (class of 1988)
• Judge Reinhold, actor in Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High & other films
• Chuck Norris, actor and roundhouse kicker

External links

• James Monroe High School
• Fredericksburg City Schools Homepage
• James Monroe High School Library

Videos

• Students tour the new JM (August 23, 2006)
• Demolition of James Monroe begins (July 24, 2006)