Grayson County High School (Kentucky)
Encyclopedia
Grayson County High School in (Leitchfield, Kentucky
) was established in 1974 after the three high schools throughout Grayson County
were consolidated. Grayson County originally had one high school in each major community: Clarkson
High School (Red Hawks), Leitchfield High School (Bulldogs), and Caneyville
High School (Purple Flash). Today, each of these communities has an Elementary School
(Leitchfield has 2) which all feed into one county middle and high school. To appease the various communities who had just lost their high schools, GCHS was located in a central location, and the colors and mascot were neutral of the old colors of the original schools.
for upper classmen , which consists of 4 classes each day, lasting for about 90 minutes each, and then switching those 4 classes for a new set of classes each semester (except in the cases of AP classes which last all year). Freshman operate on different schedules, with the last half of the day being the same as upper classmen, but the first half of the day being split up into four 55 minute classes that run all year.
On Wednesdays, the schedule is slightly altered, with A Block and B Block shortened to create about 30 minutes set aside for an "activity period", which allows students to attend club meetings that rotate on a weekly basis.
The school also offers 9 AP Classes
and one Dual Credit course. The AP classes offer a weighted GPA for students, and more advanced and in depth look at subjects that wouldn't get as much coverage in the regular forms of those classes.
The 2008–2009 school year saw incredible success for Cougar activities, with a school record 26 wins for the Girls Basketball Team, the Academic Team going to its first State Tournament and attending Nationals as well, a school record in wins for the Boys Soccer Team, the Football team hosting its first State Playoff game in over two decades, a regional championship and Elite 8 appearance for the Boys Basketball team, and a 5th place State Finish for the Cheerleaders. The Cougars won District in Boys and Girls Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Academic Team. The Baseball Team and Academic Team finished 2nd in the Region, and the school had the best combined Boys and Girls Basketball record in Kentucky.
The Cougars' main rivals are the Edmonson County High School Wildcats. The football teams play each year for the Tobacco Stick in the "Tobacco Bowl." The two schools also compete in the same district and region in many other competitions. GCHS also has rivalries with Ohio County High School, Breckinridge County High School, Butler County High School, and Elizabethtown High School.
The school also fields competitors in Soccer, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance Team, Golf, Boys' Tennis, Girls' Basketball, and Academic Team. The school also has a concert, marching and pep band, orchestra and chorus; and sponsors several clubs including DECA
, Beta Club, National Honor Society
, and FFA
.
Leitchfield, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,139 people, 2,485 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,797 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 1.56% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18%...
) was established in 1974 after the three high schools throughout Grayson County
Grayson County, Kentucky
Grayson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1810. As of 2000, the population was 24,053. Its county seat is Leitchfield. The county is named for William Grayson , a Revolutionary War colonel and a prominent Virginia political figure...
were consolidated. Grayson County originally had one high school in each major community: Clarkson
Clarkson, Kentucky
Clarkson is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census. Once called Grayson Springs after a nearby resort, the name was changed in 1882 to honor the resort's owner, Manoah Clarkson. It is known for its Honeyfest and is home to the The Walter T...
High School (Red Hawks), Leitchfield High School (Bulldogs), and Caneyville
Caneyville, Kentucky
Caneyville is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 627 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated in 1880 and named for its location on Caney Creek.-Geography:Caneyville is located at ....
High School (Purple Flash). Today, each of these communities has an Elementary School
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
(Leitchfield has 2) which all feed into one county middle and high school. To appease the various communities who had just lost their high schools, GCHS was located in a central location, and the colors and mascot were neutral of the old colors of the original schools.
History
The school has had a fairly eventful history, including student protests in 1993 and 2007 that garnered attention from local media. The campus of the school has also underwent several improvements, including the construction of a technology center to teach vocational education, and the addition of a new wing in the front of the main building to allow for more classrooms. In 2006, the school implemented a controversial Freshman Academy, designed to improve performance of Freshman, and to ease their transition to high school.Campus
The GCHS campus consists mainly of two buildings: the main building and the Technology Center. A gym, which seats approximately 3000, is part of the main building, and a football stadium seating about 2000 is located behind the school. Other features of the campus are several storage buildings, a weight room, several greenhouses, and parking space around the school for students, teachers, and visitors. A large lawn in front of the school is rarely used. It could be utilized in the future for possible expansion of the school itself or the addition of more parking space.Daily Schedule
The school day begins each day at 7:55 AM and ends at 2:42 PM. The school operates on a Block ScheduleBlock scheduling
Block scheduling is a type of academic scheduling in which each student has fewer classes per day but each class is scheduled for a longer period of time . A student might be taking 7 different classes, but only 4 per day, and the specific daily classes would rotate through a changing daily cycle...
for upper classmen , which consists of 4 classes each day, lasting for about 90 minutes each, and then switching those 4 classes for a new set of classes each semester (except in the cases of AP classes which last all year). Freshman operate on different schedules, with the last half of the day being the same as upper classmen, but the first half of the day being split up into four 55 minute classes that run all year.
On Wednesdays, the schedule is slightly altered, with A Block and B Block shortened to create about 30 minutes set aside for an "activity period", which allows students to attend club meetings that rotate on a weekly basis.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from GCHS, a student must earn at least 27 credits, complete at least 7½ semesters, and complete a writing portfolio. Usually, students graduate at the end of their senior year in May, but many students take the option of graduating early, halfway through their senior year, in December.Course Offerings
GCHS offers numerous courses for its students. They must take the basic curriculum of Social Studies, English, Science, Math, Arts and Humanities, PE, and Health. There are also numerous electives offered in those subjects, such as Political Science in Social Studies, or Anatomy in Science. These classes aren't required for graduation, but can be useful for further study in college in one of those subjects. On top of that, students can also take electives in subjects such as Agricultural Education, Life Skills, Foreign Language (which is strongly encouraged for college bound students), Visual Arts, and various vocational classes such as Welding, Carpentry, and Marketing classes that are offered through the school's Technology Center.The school also offers 9 AP Classes
Advanced 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...
and one Dual Credit course. The AP classes offer a weighted GPA for students, and more advanced and in depth look at subjects that wouldn't get as much coverage in the regular forms of those classes.
Extra Curricular Activities
The school has been able to move past its internal rivalries and compete with external foes in various competitions. Both the Boys' and Girls' Tennis teams have won several regional titles and are perennial regional favorites. The Softball team has been very successful as well, even once gaining the ranking of #1 in the state and #25 in the nation. It has developed a strong rivalry with the other regional powerhouse, Owensboro Catholic. The Baseball team has also done well, winning several regional titles. The Football team has struggled for much of its history but did make the semifinals of the state playoffs in 1982. The team has seen a ray of hope in recent years, finishing the 2007 and 2008 seasons with 7-4 records and playoff appearances. The Boys' basketball team has been moderately successful, winning regional championships in 1993, 2001, and 2009. The Track and Field team has been one of the school's strongest programs, with 13 individual State Championships won by Cougar Track and Field team members.The 2008–2009 school year saw incredible success for Cougar activities, with a school record 26 wins for the Girls Basketball Team, the Academic Team going to its first State Tournament and attending Nationals as well, a school record in wins for the Boys Soccer Team, the Football team hosting its first State Playoff game in over two decades, a regional championship and Elite 8 appearance for the Boys Basketball team, and a 5th place State Finish for the Cheerleaders. The Cougars won District in Boys and Girls Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Academic Team. The Baseball Team and Academic Team finished 2nd in the Region, and the school had the best combined Boys and Girls Basketball record in Kentucky.
The Cougars' main rivals are the Edmonson County High School Wildcats. The football teams play each year for the Tobacco Stick in the "Tobacco Bowl." The two schools also compete in the same district and region in many other competitions. GCHS also has rivalries with Ohio County High School, Breckinridge County High School, Butler County High School, and Elizabethtown High School.
The school also fields competitors in Soccer, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance Team, Golf, Boys' Tennis, Girls' Basketball, and Academic Team. The school also has a concert, marching and pep band, orchestra and chorus; and sponsors several clubs including DECA
DECA (organization)
DECA, also known as Collegiate DECA on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service . DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,...
, Beta Club, National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
, and FFA
National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is an American youth organization known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, based on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education...
.