Newtown High School
Encyclopedia
Newtown High School is a public school in Newtown, Connecticut
. As of 2010, the school serves 1,733 9-12 grade students and employs 145 full time staff members. Newtown High is accredited, and was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award for Schools of Excellence in 2000.
Major department areas:
Newtown High School also operates an alternative learning program called TAP (The Afternoon Program) that operates from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Students who attend this program work at a paying job or perform community service for credits.
.
The Boys and Girls Soccer teams both won state titles in 2004. The Boys cross country team were the 2005 State Open champions. The Girls cross country team has been league Champions for 7 consecutive seasons (2002 through 2008). The Girls Swim team had three undefeated seasons from 2003 until 2005, and also were SWC Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005, and Class L State Champions in 2005. The Girl's Outdoor Track team has also had success, winning SWC Championships in 2004 & 2005. The Newtown High School Girl's Lacrosse team were also Southwest Conference champions for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Girl's Field Hockey team won the South West Conference in 2008. The Baseball team won the South West Conference Championship in 2009. The Softball team also won the South West Conference in 2010.
The school marching band, the Newtown High School Marching Nighthawks, went undefeated in their 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons under their director Kurt Eckhardt. The band earned 3 straight Musical Arts Conference Class IV championships, the USSBA 2006 CT State Class IV championship, and placed in the top 10 in the USSBA 2007 Group IV Nationional Championships, where the color guard was ranked #1 overall. The NHS Marching Band looks to continue its campaign for expressivity in music. The NHS varsity winterguard has been undefeated for seven consecutive years in the MAC Winter Color Guard season.
Until 1996, the school's teams were called "The Indians"; they featured an Indian mascot. This was changed among controversy of the mascot being racist in nature, despite the local Native American community stating it didn't bother them. They were re-named the Newtown Nighthawks.
soccer star Marcus Tracy
graduated from Newtown High School in 2005. After being one of the most versatile sports performers Newtown has ever seen, he ventured south for college attending Wake Forest University
in North Carolina
. Marcus helped lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the NCAA soccer championships in 2007. He scored twice in the semi-final game and also scored one of the Demon Deacons goals in the final game against Ohio State to give Wake Forest the win. He was awarded the college cup Offensive MVP and in 2008-2009 NCAA Division I soccer player of the year. http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/121607aaa.html After graduating from Wake Forest in December 2008, Tracy was signed to a two year deal with Danish Soccer club Aalborg BK. http://www.aabsport.dk/29B847C9-6F3D-46F1-A2EA-6180A17183B3.W5Doc?id=80ECFF65-A9D6-4A58-A22F-F7B55B853788
Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner
graduated from Newtown High School; the school's football stadium was originally named after him. In 2004, the stadium was re-named "Blue and Gold Stadium".
Actress Jenna von Oÿ
also attended the school
In 2004, the athletic fields behind the school underwent major reconstruction. The entire area was leveled, and new baseball, softball, soccer and football fields were built.
The school also boasts the largest auditorium of any school in the state, with a seating capacity
of over 1200 persons.
Renovations were begun in the fall of 2009 to add an additional 77000 square feet (7,153.5 m²) to the building. The expansion was scheduled to be open in the fall of 2010, and the final modifications to the existing structure completed by early 2011. When the expansion is completed, the school will have a total of 376000 square feet (34,931.5 m²).
Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
. As of 2010, the school serves 1,733 9-12 grade students and employs 145 full time staff members. Newtown High is accredited, and was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award for Schools of Excellence in 2000.
Academics
NHS offers numerous AP-level courses and language studies in French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, and Latin. Electives are offered in band, orchestra, chorus, theater, art, business, sciences, history, and technology.Major department areas:
- English
- Fine and Applied Arts
- Mathematics
- Music
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Languages
Newtown High School also operates an alternative learning program called TAP (The Afternoon Program) that operates from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Students who attend this program work at a paying job or perform community service for credits.
Sports
The school offers a wide range of sports, including cross country, marching band, guard, football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, track & field, field hockey,ice hockey, lacrosse, cheerleading, tennis, swimming & diving, golf, volleyball, wrestling, and indoor track. They are part of the South West ConferenceSouth West Conference
The South-West Conference is a high school athletics conference in Southwestern Connecticut. The conference comprises schools in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County-History:...
.
The Boys and Girls Soccer teams both won state titles in 2004. The Boys cross country team were the 2005 State Open champions. The Girls cross country team has been league Champions for 7 consecutive seasons (2002 through 2008). The Girls Swim team had three undefeated seasons from 2003 until 2005, and also were SWC Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005, and Class L State Champions in 2005. The Girl's Outdoor Track team has also had success, winning SWC Championships in 2004 & 2005. The Newtown High School Girl's Lacrosse team were also Southwest Conference champions for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Girl's Field Hockey team won the South West Conference in 2008. The Baseball team won the South West Conference Championship in 2009. The Softball team also won the South West Conference in 2010.
The school marching band, the Newtown High School Marching Nighthawks, went undefeated in their 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons under their director Kurt Eckhardt. The band earned 3 straight Musical Arts Conference Class IV championships, the USSBA 2006 CT State Class IV championship, and placed in the top 10 in the USSBA 2007 Group IV Nationional Championships, where the color guard was ranked #1 overall. The NHS Marching Band looks to continue its campaign for expressivity in music. The NHS varsity winterguard has been undefeated for seven consecutive years in the MAC Winter Color Guard season.
Until 1996, the school's teams were called "The Indians"; they featured an Indian mascot. This was changed among controversy of the mascot being racist in nature, despite the local Native American community stating it didn't bother them. They were re-named the Newtown Nighthawks.
Notable alumni
Wake Forest UniversityWake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
soccer star Marcus Tracy
Marcus Tracy
Marcus Garin Tracy is an American soccer player who plays as a striker. He is currently without a club.-College and Amateur:...
graduated from Newtown High School in 2005. After being one of the most versatile sports performers Newtown has ever seen, he ventured south for college attending Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Marcus helped lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the NCAA soccer championships in 2007. He scored twice in the semi-final game and also scored one of the Demon Deacons goals in the final game against Ohio State to give Wake Forest the win. He was awarded the college cup Offensive MVP and in 2008-2009 NCAA Division I soccer player of the year. http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/121607aaa.html After graduating from Wake Forest in December 2008, Tracy was signed to a two year deal with Danish Soccer club Aalborg BK. http://www.aabsport.dk/29B847C9-6F3D-46F1-A2EA-6180A17183B3.W5Doc?id=80ECFF65-A9D6-4A58-A22F-F7B55B853788
Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner
Bruce Jenner
William Bruce Jenner is a former U.S. track and field athlete, motivational speaker, socialite and television personality. He won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics....
graduated from Newtown High School; the school's football stadium was originally named after him. In 2004, the stadium was re-named "Blue and Gold Stadium".
Actress Jenna von Oÿ
Jenna von Oÿ
Jenna von Oÿ is an American actress and country music singer best known for her roles as Six LeMeure on the NBC series Blossom, and Stevie van Lowe on the UPN sitcom The Parkers.-Early life and career:...
also attended the school
Renovations
In 1990 the school went under a major reconstruction, including the addition of a 88000 square feet (8,175.5 m²) addition to the eastern side of the school. A new track and football field were also constructed, and extra seating was installed in the stadium. The reconstruction was complete by January 1998 and the school fully re-opened.In 2004, the athletic fields behind the school underwent major reconstruction. The entire area was leveled, and new baseball, softball, soccer and football fields were built.
The school also boasts the largest auditorium of any school in the state, with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of over 1200 persons.
Renovations were begun in the fall of 2009 to add an additional 77000 square feet (7,153.5 m²) to the building. The expansion was scheduled to be open in the fall of 2010, and the final modifications to the existing structure completed by early 2011. When the expansion is completed, the school will have a total of 376000 square feet (34,931.5 m²).
MRSA Scare
On October 17, 2007, 2 cases of MRSA strain staph infections were reported at Newtown High School. The school put precautions in place to protect students from this potentially fatal bacterial infection.External links
- http://www.newtown.k12.ct.us/nhs/ Newtown High School Web site
- http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/der/ssp/SCH0506/sr087.pdf Newtown High School "Strategic School Profile 2005-2006" from the state Department of Education
- http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ct/644 School's Web page at Great Schools Web site
- http://nighthawknation.homestead.com/home.html Nighthawk Nation, Newtown High School's Sports Page