Cedar Falls High School
Encyclopedia
Cedar Falls High School is a high school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa
. It is a part of Cedar Falls Community Schools
.
The school principal is Dr. Rich Powers. He is a University of Northern Iowa
graduate. He replaced Dean Dreyer in the fall of 2006. The school serves 1,125 students, and 90 teachers.
In 1863, the old Central School was constructed to serve grades K-12 which occupied an entire city block. In the 1890s, the name was changed to Lincoln School.
.
Athletics:
Academics:
Computers:
.
In 2002, CFHS won the regional Science Bowl
and advanced to nationals. Students went on to win $1,000 for their school's science department by being one of the top 18 teams going into double-elimination competition in the DOE National Science Bowl.
Former coach, Robert Nelson, retired in May 2004 from teaching in the science department of Cedar Falls High School after 36 years. He received the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1996 from the R.J. McElroy Trust and KWWL-TV, and in 1980 was honored for Excellence in the Teaching of Chemistry by the Iowa Academy of Science.
The choral music department is led by Mr. Elliot Kranz, who replaced Ms. Kendra Wohlert after she retired following the 2009-2010 school year. There are three choirs offered for students during the school day: a select concert choir, a Women's choir, known as Treble Clef Choir, and Men's choir, known as Bass Clef Choir. A Vocal Jazz group is offered to students by audition. The choirs perform three concerts during the school year as well as participating in various festivals and contests throughout the year. Students are also encouraged to participate in all-state, solo/ensemble, and a variety of community functions throughout the year.
The instrumental music department is led by Dr. Gerald Ramsey and Mr. Kyle Engelhardt. Marching band, two concert bands, two jazz bands, and pep band are offered to students throughout the year. Band students regularly earn top honors in all large ensemble categories at festivals, and also participate in all of the state-sanctioned festivals. During the 2006-07 school year, every large ensemble that participated in an IHSMA festival was awarded a division I rating. CF Band members were also recognized as having the most students in the all-state band during the 06-07 year, with 13 members selected, and two alternates. In the 10-11 school year, Cedar Falls had 17 students, not counting one alternate, selected for All-State band.
The orchestral music department is conducted by Mr. Scott Hall. String orchestra is offered throughout the year, and full orchestra (winds and percussion) is offered from mid-October through May. In addition, a chamber orchestra is formed for different concerts as needed. All of the orchestra groups have earned top marks at the IHSMA music festivals, and maintain a strong level of participation in all-state and solo/ensemble festival opportunities.
Wahawks and the Waterloo East
Trojans. A budding rivalry on the gridiron is also enjoyed by fans of Cedar Falls and Iowa City High School
.
Cedar Falls men's and women's swimming have dominated the state of Iowa. The Tigers hold numerous state championships. Under the direction of Coach Dick Marcussen, the women continue to be a power. Since the formation of the MVC in 1992, Cedar Falls has been the conference champion each year. The men are under new leadership after Marcussen resigned from his post as coach of the men. Both the men and women won state championships in the 2005 season. The team is now coached by Dana Pieffer, who led the team to their third state championship in 2006. Coach Marcussen returned for the 2007-2008 men's season, replacing Dana Pfeiffer.
A string of championships in the 90s gave CFHS three wrestling titles, following titles won in 1968 and 1976. Cedar Falls bowling, women's basketball, men's cross country, among others have all won state championships since the late 1990s.
The Cedar Falls Tiger Football team has had a decade of success, including several finals appearances, and one state championship class 4A in 1986. Led by coach Pat Mitchell, the Tigers have made playoff appearances in nine of the last ten years. Brad Remmert, a CF alum and former Northern Iowa Panther has been named as the future successor to Mitchell. The Tigers are one of two teams in the state of Iowa that plays home games indoors. Contrary to other Tiger athletic squads, the football team has no black on the uniforms.
On Thursday, February 17, 2011, Cassy Harkelman became the first female wrestler to win an Iowa state tournament match in the history of Iowa high school wrestling. She earned a 20-13 pre-tournament record at 112 pounds before receiving an opening-round default at the state tournament. Cassy was joined by another female wrestler in 2011 as the only female wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament since its inception by the Iowa High School Athletic Association in 1926.
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, and it is home to one of Iowa's three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa. The population was 39,260 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 36,145 population in the 2000 census...
. It is a part of Cedar Falls Community Schools
Cedar Falls Community Schools
Cedar Falls Community Schools is a school district for Cedar Falls, Iowa. Its headquarters is located at 1002 West First Street in Cedar Falls....
.
The school principal is Dr. Rich Powers. He is a University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has...
graduate. He replaced Dean Dreyer in the fall of 2006. The school serves 1,125 students, and 90 teachers.
History
Founding
In 1846, Mrs. Jackson Taylor opened the first school in her home at Waterloo Road and East 13th Streets. Early residents recalled seeing parents escort their children to school because Native Americans living in the area were sighted in the woods near the Taylor home. Today, a light red marker commemorates the site of the Taylor home.In 1863, the old Central School was constructed to serve grades K-12 which occupied an entire city block. In the 1890s, the name was changed to Lincoln School.
First high school
In 1900, Cedar Falls High School was constructed as the first separate high school in Cedar Falls. The building was located where the Cedar Falls Recreation Center currently resides. An addition was added in 1914, and this building was used until 1953.New building
The current building, located at 1015 Division Street, was opened in 1954. Although it was built in the 50s, the school has been remodeled to serve the needs of the growing student body, including a new English wing that completed construction in 2005. The school recently added a plaza in front of the building in remembrance of the September 11 attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
.
Facilities
CFHS consists of 3 buildings: the main building, the annex which houses electronics and auto mechanics classes, and a portable class room that holds one of the Spanish classes.Athletics:
- Track & football stadium
- Gymnasium featuring two basketball courts
Academics:
- Library
- ICN Videoconference classroom
Computers:
- Multi-resource computer lab (54 Dell computers)
- HP lab in the Library
- Video editing lab in the Video Broadcasting room
Natural sciences
The natural science department has three main tracks—Biology, Chemistry, and Physics—along which students can take entry-level courses and then more advanced APAdvanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
.
In 2002, CFHS won the regional Science Bowl
Science Bowl
Science Bowl is a high school and middle school academic competition, similar to Quiz Bowl, held in the United States. Two teams of four students each compete to answer various science-related questions. In order to determine which student has the right to answer the question, a buzzer system is...
and advanced to nationals. Students went on to win $1,000 for their school's science department by being one of the top 18 teams going into double-elimination competition in the DOE National Science Bowl.
| Year | Place | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Third | Robert Nelson |
| 2003 | Fourth | Robert Nelson |
| 2002 | First | Robert Nelson |
| 2001 | Second | Robert Nelson |
| 2000 | Third | Robert Nelson |
| 1999 | Seventh | Robert Nelson |
| 1998 | Sixth | Robert Nelson |
Former coach, Robert Nelson, retired in May 2004 from teaching in the science department of Cedar Falls High School after 36 years. He received the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1996 from the R.J. McElroy Trust and KWWL-TV, and in 1980 was honored for Excellence in the Teaching of Chemistry by the Iowa Academy of Science.
Social sciences
The social science department features a very successful AP Psychology program, and the school consistently ranks top in the nation for average AP test scores. Charles Blair-Broeker, an AP instructor who has been teaching psychology at CFHS since 1978, tries to help involve the students in research and is very active in the general psychology community. He co-wrote the school's currently used textbook (available at http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/thinkingaboutpsych/ psychology).Graduation requirements
A total of 40 semesters of credit is necessary to fulfill the requirement for high school graduation. A minimum of 29 academic credits must be earned in the senior high school, grades 10, 11, and 12. Students in grade 9 are required to earn a minimum of six (6) core area credits before being promoted to the 10th grade. Core area credits are defined as English, Speech, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. A credit is defined as the successful completion of one semester of an academic subject.| Physical Education | 8 semesters |
|---|---|
| Science | 4 semesters |
| Mathematics | 4 semesters |
| English | 5 semesters |
| Speech | 1 semester |
| Social Studies | 6 semesters |
| Personal Economics | 1 semester |
| Fine or Practical Arts | 2 semesters |
| Electives | 13 Semesters |
General Requirements for Graduation
All students are required to enroll in and pass physical education each semester they are enrolled, except those disqualified by physical disabilities properly certified to by a physician and forwarded to the nurse prior to the beginning of each semester. Students in grades 11-12 will be excused from this requirement if they are enrolled in 7 other classes. Any student granted this exception who drops a course after the beginning of a semester would be required to enroll in physical education during that semester. This exemption is not allowed for students enrolled in independent study courses. Physical education in grades 9-12 will be a graded course earning .25 credits each semester. Grades earned are NOT calculated into a students grade point average. Student in grade 10 will be required to enroll in one semester of physical education and one semester of physical education/health. Credits for music courses (band, orchestra, chorus) are awarded as .5 credits per semester in grades 10-12.Student Council
Student Senate is a group that is advised by Ryan Flaherty and Rich Strike. They make decisions for the school and perform service projects.Music
Cedar Falls High School has a proud tradition of excellence in instrumental, vocal, and orchestral music. The entire department was recognized during the 2004-05 school as one of the top 100 music programs in the United States according to the Grammy Signature Schools Foundation.The choral music department is led by Mr. Elliot Kranz, who replaced Ms. Kendra Wohlert after she retired following the 2009-2010 school year. There are three choirs offered for students during the school day: a select concert choir, a Women's choir, known as Treble Clef Choir, and Men's choir, known as Bass Clef Choir. A Vocal Jazz group is offered to students by audition. The choirs perform three concerts during the school year as well as participating in various festivals and contests throughout the year. Students are also encouraged to participate in all-state, solo/ensemble, and a variety of community functions throughout the year.
The instrumental music department is led by Dr. Gerald Ramsey and Mr. Kyle Engelhardt. Marching band, two concert bands, two jazz bands, and pep band are offered to students throughout the year. Band students regularly earn top honors in all large ensemble categories at festivals, and also participate in all of the state-sanctioned festivals. During the 2006-07 school year, every large ensemble that participated in an IHSMA festival was awarded a division I rating. CF Band members were also recognized as having the most students in the all-state band during the 06-07 year, with 13 members selected, and two alternates. In the 10-11 school year, Cedar Falls had 17 students, not counting one alternate, selected for All-State band.
The orchestral music department is conducted by Mr. Scott Hall. String orchestra is offered throughout the year, and full orchestra (winds and percussion) is offered from mid-October through May. In addition, a chamber orchestra is formed for different concerts as needed. All of the orchestra groups have earned top marks at the IHSMA music festivals, and maintain a strong level of participation in all-state and solo/ensemble festival opportunities.
Athletics
The athletic teams are known as the Tigers. CFHS is a member of the Mississippi Valley Conference. Major rivals include the Waterloo WestWaterloo West High School
Waterloo West High School is a high school located at the intersection of E Ridgeway Ave. and Baltimore Ave. in Waterloo, Iowa.-Mascot:...
Wahawks and the Waterloo East
Waterloo East High School
East High School in Waterloo, Iowa is a public high school consisting of approximately 1300 students in grades 9-12.- History :The school was originally founded at its current site in 1874, with the present building being built in 1918. In 1939, the Music and Industrial Arts wing was added, and...
Trojans. A budding rivalry on the gridiron is also enjoyed by fans of Cedar Falls and Iowa City High School
Iowa City High School
Iowa City High School is a public high school in Iowa City, Iowa. It was built in 1937 as part of the Public Works Projects started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs. The first classes were held in the fall of 1939....
.
State Championships
The Tigers are considered to be an average representation of American high school football. Cedar Falls competes at the Class 4A (largest) level in the state of Iowa.Cedar Falls men's and women's swimming have dominated the state of Iowa. The Tigers hold numerous state championships. Under the direction of Coach Dick Marcussen, the women continue to be a power. Since the formation of the MVC in 1992, Cedar Falls has been the conference champion each year. The men are under new leadership after Marcussen resigned from his post as coach of the men. Both the men and women won state championships in the 2005 season. The team is now coached by Dana Pieffer, who led the team to their third state championship in 2006. Coach Marcussen returned for the 2007-2008 men's season, replacing Dana Pfeiffer.
A string of championships in the 90s gave CFHS three wrestling titles, following titles won in 1968 and 1976. Cedar Falls bowling, women's basketball, men's cross country, among others have all won state championships since the late 1990s.
The Cedar Falls Tiger Football team has had a decade of success, including several finals appearances, and one state championship class 4A in 1986. Led by coach Pat Mitchell, the Tigers have made playoff appearances in nine of the last ten years. Brad Remmert, a CF alum and former Northern Iowa Panther has been named as the future successor to Mitchell. The Tigers are one of two teams in the state of Iowa that plays home games indoors. Contrary to other Tiger athletic squads, the football team has no black on the uniforms.
On Thursday, February 17, 2011, Cassy Harkelman became the first female wrestler to win an Iowa state tournament match in the history of Iowa high school wrestling. She earned a 20-13 pre-tournament record at 112 pounds before receiving an opening-round default at the state tournament. Cassy was joined by another female wrestler in 2011 as the only female wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament since its inception by the Iowa High School Athletic Association in 1926.
Notable alumni
- Gil GutknechtGil GutknechtGilbert William "Gil" Gutknecht, Jr. is an American politician. Gutknecht was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives first elected in 1994 to represent Minnesota's 1st congressional district, one of eight congressional districts in Minnesota...
— Former U.S. congressman from Minnesota - Roger JepsenRoger JepsenRoger William Jepsen is an American politician from the state of Iowa. A Republican, he served in the United States Senate.-Biography :...
— Former U.S. Senator - Michael Mosley — Actor from Scrubs
- Travis FultonTravis FultonTravis Fulton is an American mixed martial artist and a professional boxer in the heavyweight division. He has notched up over 300 vale tudo and mixed martial arts fights since 1996 and over 30 boxing matches since 1999....
— Mixed Martial Arts fighter and professional boxer - Jeremy Milks — Screenwriter
See also
- Cedar Falls, IA
- Cedar Falls Community SchoolsCedar Falls Community SchoolsCedar Falls Community Schools is a school district for Cedar Falls, Iowa. Its headquarters is located at 1002 West First Street in Cedar Falls....