Iowa City High School
Encyclopedia
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.
The first high school building was converted to a junior high school after the new building opened. It was located where Mercy Medical Plaza now stands. The new building sits atop a hill on the east side of Iowa City and, at one time, the tip of the bell tower was said to be the tallest point in Iowa City.
The school motto is "The School that Leads."
City High School was built through the Public Works Projects, one of many other programs formed in Franklin D. Roosevelt
's New Deal
package. City High would become the second high school to be built in Iowa City, as the older one was becoming overcrowded as the population of the city increased. To determine the new location of the school, Iowa City residents had to vote whether to build the school in a central location, closer to the existing high school, or in a Morningside location, which was the name of the street which it would be built by, out of town on the city's east side. The Morningside location was favored, and the school was built on top of a large hill outside of town. Over time, the city's suburban expansion reached the school, enclosed it, and the expanded past it. Now, the school is contained entirely by Iowa City's east side. Mr. John Bacon is head principal from August 2010-the present.
named City High the top sports school in the state of Iowa, citing the school's dominant Football, track and cross country teams. The boys and girls cross country teams have won more than 20 state championships since 1990. State titles for Boys Cross Country include titles from 1991-'94 and in '96, '97, '99, and 2000.
Other sports that have won state titles since 1989 include Girls' Volleyball (1998, 2007), Football (1993, 1994, 1996, 2009), Boy's Basketball (1989, 2008), Girl's Basketball (2008), Wrestling (1992, 1999, 2002), Boys Tennis (1999) and numerous Boys and Girls Track state titles.
Fourth Avenue Jazz Company (commonly referred to as 4th Ave) is City High's varsity show choir. They have been considered one of the best show choirs on the nation, winning many awards. It earned its name from the street that the founding director took to school every day, ending in the school's gymnasium parking lot. City Lights, the mixed prep show choir, will be performing the songs Up the Latter/Higher and Higher, Viva La Vida, I see you and It had better be tonight, During the 2010-2011 season. 4th Avenue has 5 songs in its show: The Dash, Let Yourself Go, Impossibly Free, Whats up/History Repeating, and a medley of Bon Jovi. Both teams did well during the 2011 season, with 4th Ave winning Grand Champion for the first time since 2004. 4th Ave is directed by Greg Grove and Ann Berry, choreographed by Damon Brown and Jarad Voss.
City High has been named a Signature School by the Grammy Foundation for three years.
The Little Hawk, a monthly newspaper, has earned seven National Pacemaker Awards
(1993—95, 97—2000).
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It was built in 1937 as part of the Public Works Projects started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to provide jobs. The first classes were held in the fall of 1939.
The first high school building was converted to a junior high school after the new building opened. It was located where Mercy Medical Plaza now stands. The new building sits atop a hill on the east side of Iowa City and, at one time, the tip of the bell tower was said to be the tallest point in Iowa City.
The school motto is "The School that Leads."
History
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
package. City High would become the second high school to be built in Iowa City, as the older one was becoming overcrowded as the population of the city increased. To determine the new location of the school, Iowa City residents had to vote whether to build the school in a central location, closer to the existing high school, or in a Morningside location, which was the name of the street which it would be built by, out of town on the city's east side. The Morningside location was favored, and the school was built on top of a large hill outside of town. Over time, the city's suburban expansion reached the school, enclosed it, and the expanded past it. Now, the school is contained entirely by Iowa City's east side. Mr. John Bacon is head principal from August 2010-the present.
Academics
After graduation, 70% of City High graduates continue their education. Sixty percent attend four year colleges, 5% junior or community colleges, and 5% trade and technical schools. City High ranks in the top ten schools for academic performance in Iowa.Athletics
Sports IllustratedSports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
named City High the top sports school in the state of Iowa, citing the school's dominant Football, track and cross country teams. The boys and girls cross country teams have won more than 20 state championships since 1990. State titles for Boys Cross Country include titles from 1991-'94 and in '96, '97, '99, and 2000.
Other sports that have won state titles since 1989 include Girls' Volleyball (1998, 2007), Football (1993, 1994, 1996, 2009), Boy's Basketball (1989, 2008), Girl's Basketball (2008), Wrestling (1992, 1999, 2002), Boys Tennis (1999) and numerous Boys and Girls Track state titles.
Performing arts
City High puts on two theatrical shows a year in the state of the art Iver A. Opstad Auditorium; a fall play and a spring musical. In the 2008-2009 school year, they performed "Teahouse of the August Moon" as their dramatic work, and "Evita" as their musical performance. As for 2009-2010 year, the play was "Almost Maine" and the musical was "The Wizard of Oz". In the 2010-2011 year, they performed "The Odd Couple" as a fundraiser for the free medical clinic, and "Fools" as their fall play. In spring 2011, they performed "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" as their musical. In fall 2011, their fall production was "Peter Pan".Fourth Avenue Jazz Company (commonly referred to as 4th Ave) is City High's varsity show choir. They have been considered one of the best show choirs on the nation, winning many awards. It earned its name from the street that the founding director took to school every day, ending in the school's gymnasium parking lot. City Lights, the mixed prep show choir, will be performing the songs Up the Latter/Higher and Higher, Viva La Vida, I see you and It had better be tonight, During the 2010-2011 season. 4th Avenue has 5 songs in its show: The Dash, Let Yourself Go, Impossibly Free, Whats up/History Repeating, and a medley of Bon Jovi. Both teams did well during the 2011 season, with 4th Ave winning Grand Champion for the first time since 2004. 4th Ave is directed by Greg Grove and Ann Berry, choreographed by Damon Brown and Jarad Voss.
City High has been named a Signature School by the Grammy Foundation for three years.
Journalism
City High is home to three student publications, The Little Hawk (newspaper), the Scribe (literary and art magazine) and Red and White (yearbook).The Little Hawk, a monthly newspaper, has earned seven National Pacemaker Awards
National Pacemaker Awards
The National Pacemaker Awards are awards for excellence in American student journalism, given annually since 1927. The awards are generally considered to be the highest national honors in their field, and are unofficially known as the "Pulitzer Prizes of student journalism."The National Scholastic...
(1993—95, 97—2000).
Notable alumni
- Thomas R. Cech, winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in ChemistryNobel Prize in ChemistryThe Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to scientists in the various fields of chemistry. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895, awarded for outstanding contributions in chemistry, physics, literature,...
- Jay HilgenbergJay HilgenbergJay Walter Hilgenberg is a former American football player in the NFL. He played center for the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints from 1981 to 1993.-Football career:...
, former center for the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and broadcaster - Tim DwightTim DwightTimothy Deutch Dwight, Jr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, professional football player. - Neil SmithNeil Smith-Sports:* Neil Smith , former football player in the National Football League* Neil Smith , English cricketer...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver and model - Joey WoodyJoey WoodyJoey Woody is an American track and field athlete in the 400 meter hurdles event.Woody attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he was the 1997 NCAA champion in the 400 m hurdles. Woody placed third in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and qualified for the 1997 World...
is a track and field athlete, specializing in the 400 meter hurdles. He finished second at the 2003 World Championships2003 World Championships in Athletics - Men's 400 metre hurdlesThese are the official results of the Men's 400 metres hurdles event at the 2003 IAAF World Championships in Paris, France. There were a total number of 36 participating athletes, with five qualifying heats, three semi-finals and the final held on Friday August 29, 2003 at...
.