Columbus High School (Columbus, Georgia)
Encyclopedia
Columbus High School is located in Columbus, Georgia
, USA. It serves as one of the Muscogee County School District
's Liberal Arts
Magnet school
. It opened in 1890 and has been located throughout the city. In the 2006–2007 school year it was ranked #9. In 2005, the school shared the ranking as the top high school in the state of Georgia
. This ranking was shared with John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
in Augusta, Georgia
.
The second most common infraction at the school results from the school district's cell phone policy. In accordance to the policy, if cell phones are used in class and discovered, they are confiscated and a student is assigned detention. The cell phone may be retrieved by the parents after a few days, depending on the regularity of the offense.
. The school is rated AAA by student population. Two thirds of the students participate in 41 teams:
The CHS Chorus puts on concerts throughout the school year, including the annual Potluck, Christmas Concert, and Spring Concert.
The orchestra, concert bands, jazz ensemble and advanced choirs have consistently earned superior ratings at competitions. Many CHS vocalists and instrumentalists are typically chosen for All-District, All-State, and the Governor's Honors Program
. In the visual arts, individuals exhibit and compete locally and statewide using painting, sculpture/pottery, and photography.
Students take at least one Fine Arts class in order to graduate from Columbus High School.
; GSA; Ballroom Dance Club; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; National Art Honor Society; National Honor Society; Beta Club; National English Honor Society; National German Honor Society; Students Against Destructive Decisions; Language Clubs: Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Latin; Science Club; Robotics Club (Georgia State BotBall competition winner); Dead Poet's Society; Competition Mathematics Team; Academic Decathlon; Thespians Drama Society; Dance Team; Model UN; Gavel Club; Fired Up; Debate; Youth Alive; Student Council; Chess Club; Mock Trial Club
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
, USA. It serves as one of the Muscogee County School District
Muscogee County School District
The Muscogee County School District is the county government agency which operates the public schools in Muscogee County, Georgia, USA, .-Elementary schools:*Allen Elementary School...
's Liberal Arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
Magnet school
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
. It opened in 1890 and has been located throughout the city. In the 2006–2007 school year it was ranked #9. In 2005, the school shared the ranking as the top high school in the state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. This ranking was shared with John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School is a public magnet school for the fine and performing arts located in downtown Augusta, Georgia, USA. It draws students in grades 6 through 12 throughout Richmond County...
in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
.
Graduation requirements
All Liberal Arts College Preparatory Magnet students entering the program as 9th graders must earn a total of 32 Carnegie units. To stay in the magnet program, students must maintain at least a "C" average in any taken course. Failure to do so can result in the removal of the student from Columbus High School, the one exception being for Freshmen who fail during their first semester, as the transition to high school might be overwhelming. Students take one core course each year in English, Math, Science and Social Studies.| Course type | Credits needed |
|---|---|
| English | 4 units |
| Foreign Language | 3 units |
| Math | 4 units |
| Science | 4 units |
| Social Studies | 4 units |
| Physical Education | 1/2 unit |
| Health | 1/2 unit |
| Humanities | 1 unit |
| Academic Electives | 3 units |
| Student Choice Electives | 6 units |
| Fine Arts Elective | 1 unit |
Community involvement
Each year, students serve 20 hours of volunteer work around the area as part of their Social Studies class. 12th graders do a senior project in which they must pick an activity they have never tried before, have a mentor teach the student what to do and how do it. Each senior must spend 100 hours on it and maintain a portfolio documenting their progress from the summer before their senior year until the final presentation in April. Then they must present their project in the form of a speech to a board.Eligibility
Students qualify for entrance into the program based on:- 8th grade course averages of an 82 or better with the exception of algebra and foreign languages.
- Recommendations from middle school counselor, Math, and English teachers.
- Entrance exams performance in math, reading, and composition.
- Students must maintain a "C" average in each academic course with the exception of one "F" in their Freshman year.
Location
The school sits atop a hill in the Lakebottom area of the city and across Cherokee Avenue from Lakebottom/Weracoba park, where the school shares athletic facilities with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.Discipline
Students are required to wear ID cards around their necks at all times during school hours. It serves as the students' library and lunch card and can only be removed at the end of the day off of school property. Lack of wearing student ID can result in detention, and is the most common disciplinary problem at the school.The second most common infraction at the school results from the school district's cell phone policy. In accordance to the policy, if cell phones are used in class and discovered, they are confiscated and a student is assigned detention. The cell phone may be retrieved by the parents after a few days, depending on the regularity of the offense.
Activities
Students can spend their time out of class in the following extracurricular activities.Athletics
Columbus High School is ranked fourth (2004) in AAAA schools in GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The school is rated AAA by student population. Two thirds of the students participate in 41 teams:
- Boys'/Girls' Cross Country: 2008 and 2010 Girls AAA State Champions
- Boys'/Girls' Track
- Boys'/Girls' Basketball
- Boys'/Girls' Tennis
- Boys'/Girls' Golf
- Boys'/Girls' Soccer
- Baseball: 2009 AAA State Champions
- Football
- Marching Band- Drumline/Colorguard
- JROTC Drill Team
- JROTC Colorguard
- JROTC Raiders
- Swim Team
- Softball: 2009 State Champions
- Cheerleading (Competition (2008 and 2010 AAA State Champions), Football, and Basketball)
- Wrestling: 2006 AAA State Champions
- Rifle Team
- Girls' Volleyball: 2007 AAA State Champions
- Girls' Lacrosse
- Rugby
Fine Arts
The school is the recipient of state awards including three state one act play competition wins, the most recent being in 2007 with the play, "Bee-Luther-Hatchee." The department typically produces three plays and one musical yearly through their company, Full House Productions, in the small CHS Auditorium.The CHS Chorus puts on concerts throughout the school year, including the annual Potluck, Christmas Concert, and Spring Concert.
The orchestra, concert bands, jazz ensemble and advanced choirs have consistently earned superior ratings at competitions. Many CHS vocalists and instrumentalists are typically chosen for All-District, All-State, and the Governor's Honors Program
Georgia Governor's Honors Program
The Georgia Governor's Honors Program is a summer educational program in the state of Georgia, in the United States. It is a four-week summer instructional program designed to provide the intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students of Georgia challenging and enriching...
. In the visual arts, individuals exhibit and compete locally and statewide using painting, sculpture/pottery, and photography.
Students take at least one Fine Arts class in order to graduate from Columbus High School.
Clubs/organizations
Young Activists; Junior CivitanJunior Civitan International
Junior Civitan International is a student-led service organization for middle and high school students. There are 11,000 Junior Civitan members in 400 clubs in North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is the longest lasting project of its parent organization Civitan International.-History:The...
; GSA; Ballroom Dance Club; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; National Art Honor Society; National Honor Society; Beta Club; National English Honor Society; National German Honor Society; Students Against Destructive Decisions; Language Clubs: Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Latin; Science Club; Robotics Club (Georgia State BotBall competition winner); Dead Poet's Society; Competition Mathematics Team; Academic Decathlon; Thespians Drama Society; Dance Team; Model UN; Gavel Club; Fired Up; Debate; Youth Alive; Student Council; Chess Club; Mock Trial Club
Publications
The school newspaper and Sampler pieces are written by students as part of their Creative Writing class.- The Blue Streak, Newspaper
- The Sampler, Literature/Art magazine
- COHISCAN, Yearbook (Columbus HIgh SChool ANnual)
Notable alumni
- Carson McCullersCarson McCullersCarson McCullers was an American writer. She wrote novels, short stories, and two plays, as well as essays and some poetry. Her first novel The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter explores the spiritual isolation of misfits and outcasts of the South...
, American writer - Frank ThomasFrank Thomas (AL baseball player)Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman....
, professional baseball player - Nunnally JohnsonNunnally JohnsonNunnally Hunter Johnson was an American filmmaker who wrote, produced, and directed motion pictures.Johnson was born in Columbus, Georgia. He began his career as a journalist, writing for the Columbus Enquirer Sun, the Savannah Press, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, and the New York Herald Tribune...
, filmmaker/screenwriter - Sam MitchellSam Mitchell (basketball)Samuel "Sam" E. Mitchell, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player and a former head coach in the National Basketball Association . He is currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets....
, NBA player and head coach - Reggie AbercrombieReggie AbercrombieReginald Damascus Abercrombie is a former Major League Baseball outfielder now playing for the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.-Professional career:...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Ketia SwanierKetia SwanierNaketia "Ketia" Marie Swanier is an American professional basketball player. She currently plays the guard position for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.-College career:...
, (WNBA Basketball Player), Phoenix Mercury
Timeline
- 1890: the High School opens with co-educational classesClass (education)A class in education has a variety of related meanings.It can be the group of students which attends a specific course or lesson at a university, school or other educational institution, see Form ....
. Classes are held in the existing Boys School at 10th Street and 2nd Avenue. - 1891: Mr. Homer Wright is elected principal of the High School and serves until he becomes SuperintendentSuperintendent (education)In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of Schools. - 1891–1892: the High School moves into the Bussey Home.
- June 1892: the first class graduates from Columbus High School. The class is composed of sixteen girls and two boys. Graduation exercises are held at the Springer Opera House.
- 1897–1898: a building is constructed to house the High School at 11th Street and 4th Avenue.
- Fall 1898: the High School at 11th Street and 4th Avenue opens for classes.
- 1900: three curricula are adopted for students – college preparation, classical and scientific.
- 1904–1907: Georgia high schools begin to be accredited by the University of GeorgiaUniversity of GeorgiaThe University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. - 1913: The first COHISCAN, the CHS annual, was published. The name is derived from COlumbus HIgh SChool ANnual.
- 1919: Junior ROTC is added.
- 1921: Miss Edwina Wood, a member of the 1892 CHS graduating class, is appointed to the School Board. Miss Wood is the first woman appointed to this board and serves for twenty years.
- 1923: the "Blue Devil" nickname is first applied by Gen. John J. Pershing in reference to spirited game play exhibited against Phillips High in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. Previous to this time several nicknames had been used for the CHS sports teams. The "Orange Avalanche" is perhaps the best known. - May 31, 1924: a bond election is held to approve the purchase of land for and the building of a new high school. The bond passes "overwhelmingly."
- 1924–1925: sixteen acres in Wildwood Park are selected as the site of the new high school. Starrett and Van Vlock of New York are chosen as designing architects with Hickman and Martin as local architects.
- Sept. 2, 1925: the cornerstone for the new building is set at 1700 Cherokee Avenue.
- Sept. 16, 1926: the dedication exercises for the building at 1700 Cherokee Avenue take place.
- 1934: Home Economics is added to the curriculum.
- 1943–1945: Miss Annie Massey, the first female CHS High School principal, leads the school during the war years.
- 1962–1963: the building is expanded and additions are made.
- June 12, 1981: fire ravages the original section of the building.
- 1981–1983: construction and renovations to the building are undertaken. Air conditioning is added. Grades are split and classes held at two locations, Rosemont School and Columbus Junior High School.
- Aug. 27, 1983: rededication ceremonies are held.
- 1988: construction of the alumni wall begins with first students of class of 1988.
- 1990: Wilfred Graves, Jr.Wilfred Graves, Jr.Wilfred Graves, Jr. is a scholar, minister, mathematician, and published author. He is the first African American to graduate from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology. His doctoral dissertation was entitled “Popular and Elite Understandings of Miracles in Enlightened...
becomes the first African-American valedictorian of Columbus High School. - 1990–1991: Centennial Celebration. Ceremonies are conducted including recognizing AFLACAflacAflac Incorporated is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, founded in 1955 and based in Columbus, Georgia. In the United States, Aflac underwrites a wide range of insurance policies, but is perhaps more known for its payroll deduction insurance coverage, which pays...
as our Partner In Education. - 1991–1992: the first year of the Liberal ArtsLiberal artsThe term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
Magnet program; entering freshman class included the first magnet students. Ms. Linda Kellett is the founding lead teacher of the program. The first section of the Alumni Wall is completed. - 1999–2000: Ms. Susan Bryant replaces Dr. Ronnie Shehane as principal. Block scheduling is adopted in a modified 4x4 arrangement with yearlong AP courses meeting on alternate days. The Commemorative Plaza is added in front of the cafeteria.
- 2000–2001: renovations to the gym.
- 2001–2002: CHS Liberal Arts Magnet becomes a total magnet schoolMagnet schoolIn education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
. - 2004–2005: CHS was named a Georgia School of Excellence and a National Blue Ribbon School.
- Summer 2005: school is renovated. The student parking area, long known for mud and haphazard parking arrangements, is renovated.
- 2009: Judy Whitt replaces Susan Bryant as principal.
- 2011: Marvin Crumbs replaces Judy Whitt as principal.