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Washburn High School

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Coordinates: 44°54′47″N 93°16′59″W / 44.91306°N 93.28306°W / 44.91306; -93.28306
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Minneapolis Washburn High School
Washburn from the air, 2007
Address
Map
201 West 49th Street

Minneapolis
,
Minnesota
55419

USA
Coordinates44°54′47″N 93°16′59″W / 44.91306°N 93.28306°W / 44.91306; -93.28306
Information
TypePublic secondary
Established1925
School boardMinneapolis Board of Education
School districtMinneapolis Public Schools
CEEB code241695[2]
PrincipalRhonda Dean
Staff95.12 FTE.[1]
Teaching staff59.34 FTE.[1]
Grades9–12
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment1486[1]
LanguageEnglish
Color(s)    Blue and Orange
Fight songWashburn Down the Field
Athletics conferenceMinneapolis City Conference
MascotThe Miller
Team nameThe Millers
NewspaperThe Grist
YearbookWaHiAn
Communities servedMinneapolis and surrounding areas.
Feeder schoolsAll K–8 and middle schools in the Minneapolis Public School District are eligible to send eighth-grade graduates to Washburn.
Websitehttp://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/

Minneapolis Washburn High School is a four-year public high school serving grades 9–12 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. By enrollment, Washburn is the third-largest high school in the Minneapolis Public School District.

Rhonda Dean, formerly of Andover High School, is the principal for the academic year 2014-15. She is assisted by Linda Conley (assistant principal), Nilo Guanzon (assistant principal), and Michelle Terpening (administrative TOSA).

History

Washburn High School was built in 1925 to meet the demands of the growing South Minneapolis neighborhood. Construction for the new three-story building began in 1924 after the Minneapolis Board of Education purchased unused land in Washburn Park. Land next to the school was occupied by the Washburn Memorial Orphan Asylum, now torn down and replaced with what is now Ramsey Middle School. Washburn is located in the Tangletown neighborhood of southern Minneapolis at 201 West 49th Street.[3]

Washburn opened on September 8, 1925 to 1,031 students. When the school opened, it served 7–10 grades and added one year each year for the next two years. It served middle school and high school students until 1929.[4] The school became very popular and by 1931, 2,370 students attended the school built for 1,500.[5] The school has been expanded several times to meet the demands of high enrollment.[4][6]

The school is conventionally named after Cadwallader C. Washburn. When the school was presented to the school board it was called "William D. Washburn High School", in reference to the brother of Cadwallader C. Washburn, however naming the school after William D. Washburn is thought to be an error.[4] The school has been heavily influenced by Minneapolis' milling empire. The school's newspaper, The Grist, involves milling terminology,[3] the school's colors, blue and orange, were those of Gold Medal Flour, a company partly run by the Washburn family and a predecessor to General Mills[7] and the athletic teams' nickname are the "Millers".

Campus

Washburn is located on a 4½-city block parcel bordered by West 49th and 50th streets on the north and south side and Nicollet Ave. S. and Pleasant Ave. S on the east and west.[8] In addition to Washburn, Ramsey Middle School shares this parcel of land, with Washburn taking 2/3 of the space. In between the schools is A. E. MacQuarrie Field which hosts football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field competitions. In addition, the area between the school and field is a green space known as The Mall. Youth soccer teams use The Mall for practice, while students at the school use it for physical education classes.

A tunnel connects the east side of Washburn and the west side of Ramsey, running under MacQuarrie Field. The tunnel transports heating and air conditioning between the schools. During the winter, snow melts directly above the tunnel due to the steam pipes within showing the tunnel's location. Decades ago, students used the tunnel during the winter when overcrowding forced Washburn to hold classes in Ramsey.

Student body

In the 2006–2007 school year, Washburn enrolled 1,217[1] students. The same year, the school reported a racial makeup of 50.7% Black, 26.0% White, 12.2% Hispanic, 7.7% Asian and 3.4% American Indian.[1] The majority of students qualify for Free and Reduced Price Lunch with 60%.[1] Free and Reduced Price Lunch is the measure of poverty for the district. 18% of students have limited English proficiency and 13% of students qualify for special education.[1] The school has an Adequate Yearly Progress graduation rate of 89.94%[1] while district-wide 43.7% of students graduated during the 2003–2004 school year.[9][10] 29%[1] of students met or exceeded the standards in the 10th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Series II test, while 14%[1] met or exceeded the standards for the 11th grade MCAS test in 2007.

During the 2007–2008 school year, 74 percent of the students were of African, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American descent.[11]

Since 1991,[12] Washburn has participated in St. Olaf College's Educational Talent Search TRIO program which provides students with skills necessary to complete high school and earn postsecondary education.[13][14]

Staff

During the 2006–2007 school year, Washburn employed 95.12 staff FTE.[1] 59.34 of those staff were teachers.[1] 44.34% of the teachers held a bachelor's degree while 52.29% held a master's degree.[1] During the 2005–2006 school year, the student to teacher ratio was 21:1.[15] Both parents and students are involved in the decision-making process through our student council, school leadership team and Parent/Advisory Boards for each SLC.[16]

Past principals

1925–present[17]
Washburn High School Principals
1925–44 A. E. MacQuarrie
1944–57 Leonard Fleenor
1957–72 Carl Anderson
1972–79 Dr. Roland DeLapp
1979–82 Dean Berntsen
1982 Wayne Nelson
1983–86 Don Burton
1986 (Spring) Ingve Magnusson
1986–87 Robert Lynch
1987–89 John Dyzacky
1989–91 Dr. Rosa Smith
1992–94 Dr. Andre Lewis
1994–98 Ronald Chall
1998–99 Debora Brooks-Golden
1999–2000 Dr. Joyce Lewis Lake
2000–2007 Dr. Steven Couture
2007–2013 (April) Carol Markham-Cousins
2013 (Spring) Craig Vana
2013-2014 Linda Conley (interim)
2014- Rhonda Dean

Curriculum

Washburn offers Advanced Placement (AP), College in the Schools (CIS),[18] International Baccalaureate (IB), and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes for ninth through twelfth grade students to earn college credit[19] free of charge,[20] or for minimal cost. The school also uses school-wide advisory programs to form trusting and caring relationships for each student.

Bilingual support

Washburn offers bilingual classes in Somali, and English as a Second Language (ESL) support is also available.

World languages and fine arts

Washburn currently offers four world languages: ASL, French, Spanish and Arabic.

The school also offers jazz band, concert band, orchestra and concert choir.

Extracurricular activities

Washburn students have a variety of opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities ranging from Jazz Band to Anime to Young Life. These activities take place before and after school. Notable organizations include, The Grist newspaper, The Wahian yearbook, Educational Talent Search, Elevation, FIRST Robotics, GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), National Honor Society and Student Government.

Athletics

Washburn is a member of the Minnesota State High School League[21] and offers Boys and Girls varsity level sports, including:

Fresh start

In March 2008, the Minneapolis Board of Education announced that Washburn would be one of two high schools participating in the Minneapolis Public Schools Fresh Start program. Along with Edison High School, Washburn hired new teachers and staff and examined their curriculum.[22][23] These changes were part of a nine-point-plan by the Minneapolis school board to alleviate budget problems and prepare 4 out of 5 graduates to be ready for college.[22][23] Principal Carol Markham-Cousins returned to lead the school with the rest of the teaching staff required to apply for rehire or as new to the building.

On May 14, 2008 Markham-Cousins sent letters to students and family members explaining the reasons for the Fresh Start. She cited graduation rates and college preparation as two reasons why the program had to go forward.[24] The same day, students staged a walk-out in protest of the program.[25] Student drew with chalk on the sidewalk in front of the school in support of the teachers.[25]

Additional changes that came to Washburn during 2008-2009 included an increase in the number of art classes and the introduction of the International Baccalaureate program.[22][23]

Famous alumni

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Washburn Senior High 2007" (PDF). School Report Card. Minnesota Department of Education. 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  2. ^ "High School". SAT: Code List Search. The College Board. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  3. ^ a b M. Pennefeather, Shannon; M. Archabal, Nina; Roberts, Kate (2003). Mill City: A Visual History of the Minneapolis Mill District. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. pp. ix. ISBN 0-87351-447-5.
  4. ^ a b c "Washburn Millers". WHS History. Washburn High School. 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  5. ^ "Washburn High School" (PDF). Minneapolis Public Schools. 1931. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  6. ^ "Washburn Senior High School" (PDF). Minneapolis Public Schools. 1963. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  7. ^ "Blue and Orange". History. Washburn High School. 2003-09-07. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  8. ^ "201 W 49th Street Minneapolis, MN 55409". Maps. Google Inc. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  9. ^ Swansom, Christopher B.; EPE Research Center (2008-04-01). "Cities in Crisis" (PDF). Editorial Projects in Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  10. ^ Diaz, Kevin (2008-04-01). "Minneapolis schools get failing grade on dropouts". Star Tribune. Chris Harte. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  11. ^ Goldberg, Scott (2008-06-04). "Historic nomination resonates with students". KARE-11 News. Multimedia Holdings Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  12. ^ "St. Olaf TRiO (Educational Talent Search)". Washburn High School. Minneapolis Public Schools. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  13. ^ "Educational Talent Search". St. Olaf College. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  14. ^ "Federal TRIO Programs – Home Page". Office of Secondary Education. U.S. Department of Education. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  15. ^ "Teachers". Washburn Senior High School. GreatSchools Inc. 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  16. ^ "Parent Council Meetings". Washburn High School. Minneapolis Public Schools. 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  17. ^ "Principals". WHS History. Washburn High School. 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  18. ^ College in the Schools (2008). "Participating Schools". College of Continuing Education. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  19. ^ College in the Schools (2008). "College in the Schools Benefits Students, Teachers, Schools, and the University". College of Continuing Education. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  20. ^ Petersen, Joy (2008-02-19). "PSEO gives high schoolers a college experience". Minnesota Daily. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  21. ^ "Minneapolis Washburn H.S." Minnesota State High School League. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  22. ^ a b c Nelson, Tim (2008-03-21). "Two Minneapolis high schools head for 'fresh starts'". News. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  23. ^ a b c Nelson, Tim (2008-03-21). "Teachers react to plans for a 'fresh start'". News. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  24. ^ Markham-Cousins, Carol (2008-05-14). "Letter to Students". 1. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-12. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b Schugel, James (2008-05-14). "Students Walk Out To Protest Teacher Lay-Offs". WCCO News. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  26. ^ Arness, James; Wise, James E. (2001). James Arness: an autobiography. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-1221-6.
  27. ^ Markoe, Arnie (2002). The Scribner encyclopedia of American lives. New York: C. Scribner's Sons. p. 74. ISBN 0-684-80665-7.
  28. ^ Walsh, Paul (2008-05-02). "Minneapolis native heading into astronaut Hall of Fame". Star Tribune. Chris Harte. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  29. ^ Hicks, Dylan (October 24, 2003), "ATMOSPHERE'S SLUG CAN SLING HIS BANANA FRITTERS", Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  30. ^ Spiros, Dean (2008-06-25). "Canterbury founder dies at 89". Star Tribune. Chris Harte. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  31. ^ Miller, David M. (2008-06-25). "Fields, Canterbury's founder, dead". Horse Racing. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-20. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Businessman spearheaded Canterbury Downs". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. MediaNews Group. 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  33. ^ "Greg Klette". Statistics. The Baseball Cube. 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  34. ^ Lemon, Ralph; Morris, Tracie (2000). Geography: art, race, exile. Hanover, NH: Wesleyan University Press : University Press of New England. p. 32. ISBN 0-8195-6443-5.
  35. ^ Moore, Peter (1999). Gone writing: the poems of Moore on Sunday. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. p. 49. ISBN 0-8166-3432-7.
  36. ^ "Michele Norris". The Notable Names Database. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  37. ^ Bergeron, Louis (2008-05-28). "Douglas Skoog, analytical chemist, textbook author, dies at 89". Stanford News Service. Stanford University. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  38. ^ a b Riemenschneider, Chris (January 27, 2006) "Rock 'n' Roll High Schools" Star Tribune
  39. ^ Gural, Natasha (2004-01-02). "Shoppers flock to designer deals". Deseret News.
  40. ^ "Fashion's best blogs". Chicago Sun-Times. 2008-07-14.
  41. ^ mode femme vetement fashion verbaudet at fashionnewssite.com
  42. ^ "13 Questions For A Fashion Blogger". Daily News. New York. 2007-10-13.
  43. ^ Build a Blog: Creating a Six Figure Blog | Kathryn Finney
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