James S. Rickards High School
Encyclopedia
James S. Rickards High School is a public high school in Tallahassee
, Florida. Rickards was ranked 49th in Newsweek's
list of 1,000 top high schools in 2009, due to the high number of AP
and IB exams taken by its students. As of 2009, 1249 pupils were enrolled.
Rickards has hosted an International Baccalaureate program since 1994, creating a culturally diverse mix of students and a varied ethnic focus. The school has many programs that demonstrate cultural diversity and equality, one of which focuses on traditional dance and clothes.
The school's mascot
, originally the Rickards Redskins, was changed to the Rickards Raiders in 2000 because of controversy over the term redskin
and its racial connotations. The school colors are blue and gold.
Rickards is notable for its award-winning Mu Alpha Theta
and National Junior Classical League
teams, as well as its marching band
, which is heavily influenced by Florida A&M University
's Marching "100" under the direction of Mr. Quincy Griffin.
Alumni Village
, the designated Florida State University
housing unit for FSU students with children, is zoned to Rickards High School.
In 2009, however, Rickards earned a "D" as its school performance grade, making it the second-lowest ranking high school in the district, above Amos P. Godby High School
. This was down from 2008 and 2007, when the school earned a C.
and is coached by mathematics instructor, Elizabeth Funk.
The members of the Rickards Math Team have also participated in other national mathematics competitions such as the American Mathematics Competition (AMC – State and Regional Champions 2003–2007, 2nd Place Nationwide 2007), the American Invitational Mathematics Examination
, the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
, the Princeton University Math Competition, the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament, and the American Regions Math League. Three distinguished members of Rickards' Math Team have served as the captains of the state math teams that competed at ARML, HMMT, and PUMaC. The Rickards Math Team has also had a history of producing multiple USAMO qualifiers and attendees to the prestigious Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program. Most recently, they were the runner-ups at the 2010 National Mu Alpha Theta Convention in Washington, D.C.
, known for their unique high-stepping style, or "90 degree marching". It currently has over 100 members including auxiliary. Under the direction of Mr. Quincy Griffin, former member of Florida A&M University
's Marching "100", the band has reached new heights. The band's selection of music varies from popular tunes on the radio, to classic marching band tunes like S.O.S., and stand tunes like "A Tribute To Bob Marley" and "Backstabbers". The Tuba section is an FBA All-District band section. They performed at the Orange Bowl in Miami in 2007 and received thirteen trophies, and three plaques, winning all first place awards in the AA division. Due to those awards, they performed during the pre-game events at the Orange Bowl. The James S. Rickards Symphonic Band has also earned a Superior rating at district level FBA evaluation. The band appeared as a cameo in the movie "Recount"
, an HBO movie appearing in March 2008.
They performed in Washington, D.C. for the National Independence Day Parade in 2009. Recently, the Marching Band was invited to perform in the Florida Classic Battle of the Bands.
Some other clubs include:
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
, Florida. Rickards was ranked 49th in Newsweek's
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
list of 1,000 top high schools in 2009, due to the high number of AP
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 IB exams taken by its students. As of 2009, 1249 pupils were enrolled.
Rickards has hosted an International Baccalaureate program since 1994, creating a culturally diverse mix of students and a varied ethnic focus. The school has many programs that demonstrate cultural diversity and equality, one of which focuses on traditional dance and clothes.
The school's mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
, originally the Rickards Redskins, was changed to the Rickards Raiders in 2000 because of controversy over the term redskin
Redskin
"Redskin" is a racial descriptor for Native Americans and one of the color metaphors for race used in North America and Europe since European colonization of America...
and its racial connotations. The school colors are blue and gold.
Rickards is notable for its award-winning Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta is a United States mathematics honor society for high schools and two-year colleges. It has over 89,000 student members in more than 1,800 schools worldwide. Its main goals are to inspire keen interest in mathematics, develop strong scholarship in the subject, and promote the...
and National Junior Classical League
National Junior Classical League
The National Junior Classical League is a youth organization of secondary school students sponsored by the American Classical League...
teams, as well as its marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
, which is heavily influenced by Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
's Marching "100" under the direction of Mr. Quincy Griffin.
Alumni Village
Florida State University student housing
Student housing at Florida State University is governed by the Office of University Housing, and provides housing for undergraduates, graduate students, and professional students on and off-campus. Overall about 85% of first time in college students live in residence halls...
, the designated Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
housing unit for FSU students with children, is zoned to Rickards High School.
Mission statement
The mission of James S. Rickards High School is to produce graduates with skills and competencies to succeed on local, state, national, and international levels and who are responsible, self-supporting, and productive members of our society.School performance
For 2010, Rickards earned an "A" as its school performance grade for the first time in its history. The celebration was accompanied by a pep rally.In 2009, however, Rickards earned a "D" as its school performance grade, making it the second-lowest ranking high school in the district, above Amos P. Godby High School
Amos P. Godby High School
Amos P. Godby High School is a public high school in Tallahassee, Florida, named for Mr. Amos P. Godby, who served as a teacher, coach, Leon County Superintendent, and President and Secretary of the Florida Superintendents Association.-History:Amos P...
. This was down from 2008 and 2007, when the school earned a C.
Achievements in mathematics
The James S. Rickards Math Team is currently ranked second in the nation in Mu Alpha ThetaMu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta is a United States mathematics honor society for high schools and two-year colleges. It has over 89,000 student members in more than 1,800 schools worldwide. Its main goals are to inspire keen interest in mathematics, develop strong scholarship in the subject, and promote the...
and is coached by mathematics instructor, Elizabeth Funk.
The members of the Rickards Math Team have also participated in other national mathematics competitions such as the American Mathematics Competition (AMC – State and Regional Champions 2003–2007, 2nd Place Nationwide 2007), the American Invitational Mathematics Examination
American Invitational Mathematics Examination
The American Invitational Mathematics Examination is a 15-question 3-hour test given since 1983 to those who rank in the top 5% on the AMC 12 high school mathematics contest , and starting in 2010, those who rank in the top 2.5% on the AMC 10.The AIME is the second of two tests used to determine...
, the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad is a high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the AMC series of contests...
, the Princeton University Math Competition, the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament, and the American Regions Math League. Three distinguished members of Rickards' Math Team have served as the captains of the state math teams that competed at ARML, HMMT, and PUMaC. The Rickards Math Team has also had a history of producing multiple USAMO qualifiers and attendees to the prestigious Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program. Most recently, they were the runner-ups at the 2010 National Mu Alpha Theta Convention in Washington, D.C.
Administration
- Principal: Michelle Gayle
- Assistant Principal: Rusty Edwards
- Assistant Principal: Patrick Wright
- Assistant Principal: Danny Whitfield
- I.B. Coordinator: Joe Williams
Band
James S. Rickards High currently has an above average marching bandMarching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
, known for their unique high-stepping style, or "90 degree marching". It currently has over 100 members including auxiliary. Under the direction of Mr. Quincy Griffin, former member of Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
's Marching "100", the band has reached new heights. The band's selection of music varies from popular tunes on the radio, to classic marching band tunes like S.O.S., and stand tunes like "A Tribute To Bob Marley" and "Backstabbers". The Tuba section is an FBA All-District band section. They performed at the Orange Bowl in Miami in 2007 and received thirteen trophies, and three plaques, winning all first place awards in the AA division. Due to those awards, they performed during the pre-game events at the Orange Bowl. The James S. Rickards Symphonic Band has also earned a Superior rating at district level FBA evaluation. The band appeared as a cameo in the movie "Recount"
Recount (film)
Recount is a 2008 made-for-TV film about the 2000 Presidential election in the United States. The political drama was written by Danny Strong, directed by Jay Roach, and produced by Kevin Spacey, who also stars in the film....
, an HBO movie appearing in March 2008.
They performed in Washington, D.C. for the National Independence Day Parade in 2009. Recently, the Marching Band was invited to perform in the Florida Classic Battle of the Bands.
Athletics
- Boys' Sports
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Cross Country
- Football (Varsity and Junior Varsity)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Track and Field
- Tennis
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
- Girls' Sports
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Dance Team
- Flag Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
Other clubs
Rickards has a multitude of clubs and after school activities.Some other clubs include:
- Rickards Scientific Society (RSS)
- P.H.A.T.E – Preventing HIV AIDS Through Education
- Peace Jam/Peace Alliance
- Drama Club
- National Junior Classical League (NJCL)
- Yearbook Club
- ITV Club
- Brain BowlBrain BowlBrain Bowl is an academic competition in which Florida Community College teams are pitted against one another. Teams consist of up to six players, only four of whom play at any given time. A moderator reads questions from four subject areas that includes humanities, mathematics, natural science...
- Junior Engineering Technical SocietyJunior Engineering Technical SocietyJunior Engineering Technical Society is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting engineering and technology careers to America's young people. JETS engages students in various engineering education programs that are designed to encourage secondary school students to pursue...
- Chess ClubChess clubA chess club is a club formed for the purpose of playing the board game of chess. Chess clubs provide for both informal games and timed games, often as part of an internal competition or in a league.-Organisation:...
- National Honor SocietyNational Honor SocietyThe National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
- Key ClubKey ClubKey Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
- Student Government Association
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
- Model United NationsModel United NationsModel United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
- Florida's Future Educators of America
- French Club
- Greek Club
- Spanish Club
- Spanish National Honor Society
- Gospel Choir
- ROTCReserve Officers' Training CorpsThe Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...
- 20th century: before and after school programs
- Black History Brain Bowl
- Reading Raiders Book Club
- Extraordinary Sisters with a Purpose (ESP)
- Art Club
- Garden Club
Notable alumni
- Singer/Rapper T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
- International Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion Travis WalkerTravis WalkerTravis Walker, born June 22, 1979 in Tallahassee, Florida, is an American boxer who was an amateur star and is currently a heavyweight prospect.-Amateur:...
- Professional Football Player Corey FullerCorey FullerCorey Fuller , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2nd round of the 1995 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 209-lb...
- Professional Football Player Kolby SmithKolby Smith-Kansas City Chiefs:His first career NFL start was on November 25, 2007 due to injuries to Larry Johnson and the retirement of Priest Holmes. He recorded his first career touchdown on that date against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City....
: Running BackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
– Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Professional Football Player William GayWilliam Gay (cornerback)William Gay is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, formerly of the University of Louisville football team. He was chosen by the Steelers with the 170th pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.-College career:...
– Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Rapper, activist, and author stic.manStic.manKhnum Muata ”STIC” Ibomu or Clayton Gavin, better known as stic.man, is an American emcee, activist and author known for his work as one half of the political hip-hop duo dead prez.-History:...
of dead prezDead PrezDead Prez stylized as dead prez is a hip hop duo from the United States, composed of stic.man and M-1, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with socialist lyrics focused on both militant social justice and Pan-Africanism...
External links
- Official site
- Alumni site
- Rickards Scientific Society Facebook
- http://www.rickards.leon.k12.fl.us/2006SACSreport.pdfRickards High School Self-Evaluation and Statistics (SACS Report)Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsThe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
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