Biloxi High School

Biloxi High School is the only public high school located in the city of Biloxi, Mississippi. It has approximately 1,400^[1] students and 100 faculty. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, there were 1,201 students.

History

The original Biloxi High School was built in 1912 on Howard Avenue. A “new” Biloxi High School was constructed in 1961 – at a cost of $1.6 million – on Father Ryan Avenue. Biloxi architects Henry Francis Fountain and Carl E. Matthes are credited with being involved with its design.

The current Biloxi High School, hailed as a “state of the art” facility, opened in 2002. The school serves grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. The $35 million facility, named one of the best schools in the country by the U.S. Department of Education in 2006, features a campus nestled on about 90 acres (360,000 m²) between the Back Bay of Biloxi and Interstate 10. This facility includes fully equipped science laboratories; computer labs; a 200-seat performance hall; practice and competition gymnasiums; tennis courts; a football stadium; baseball and softball stadiums with indoor batting cages; music areas with individual practice rooms and risers; and kilns in the art classrooms.

Currently, Biloxi High finished the construction of its brand-new addition to the west side of the school. The addition, with an estimated 14 million dollar pricetag, was funded with monies split between existing gaming revenues and property taxes. The new wing includes an internet cafe, three dozen more classrooms, and a new contemporary style courtyard. The purpose of the addition is to accommodate the move of the ninth grade from Biloxi Junior High School, a move that is set to bring around 400 new students onto the campus of Biloxi High. ^[2][3] As of the School Year 09-10, Biloxi High School serves grades 9-12.

Security

The Biloxi Public School District installed cameras in every classroom and hallway in 2003,.^[4] The Biloxi Public School District has developed a police department within the school district. Currently three officers make up the force and more are expected to be hired. The officers are assigned to "precincts" within the district with one patrolling the two schools north of the Popp's Ferry bridge, one patrolling the alternative school, and the other is responsible for the schools on the east side of the district. Two of the officers are equipped with 2008 Dodge Chargers and the other drives a late model Crown Victoria Police Interceptor model.^[5]

Curriculum

Accelerated classes are available in the English department, and Advanced Placement or AP classes are offered in Math, English, Art, History, and Science. Biloxi High School also offers a diverse range of classes in its vocational department from child care to auto body.

AP Classes

AP students are often allowed once in a lifetime opportunities, including the We the People experience, History day, and the Stock Market Game. Biloxi High won 1st place in Fall 2007 for the Stock Market Game out of 700 schools. A team of seniors won a trip to New York City, where they visited Good Morning America, and the New York Stock Exchange, under the supervision of their AP Government teacher.

Sports

BHS offers an extensive range of sports programs with top of the line coaches. BHS is also equipped with a sports medicine director. Starting with the 2007-2008 football season, Biloxi will be under the direction of new coaches.

Blue Ribbon

In 2007, Biloxi High School was one of only four schools in the State of Mississippi, and one of only 287 in the nation to win Blue Ribbon Status. This is defined under the "No Child Left Behind Act", as being a school with more than forty percent of the schools population at or below poverty level, yet still meeting and going beyond "AYP" (Adequate Yearly Progress). Schools with these students, regardless of background, are in the top ten percent of the state on standardized curriculum tests. The principals of the selected schools will travel to Washington, D.C. to receive the official recognition on November 12–13.^[6][7]

Student organizations and media

Student Council

The Student Council is a body made up of students elected by their peers to serve as a bridge between the school administration and the students of Biloxi High School. The Biloxi High School Student Council is a member of the Mississippi Association of Student Councils "MSASC", The Southern Association of Student Councils "SASC", and The National Association of Student Councils "NASC". The Biloxi High School Student Council produces and sponsors WBHS, the school's in house, closed circuit, television station.

Key Club

The Biloxi High Key Club is one of the most active clubs in the school and is also student-led. The club is known for its member attendance, participation, and (most importantly) its willingness to serve. The members participate in service activities for their school and community. They have worked with: the City of Biloxi, the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Lynn Meadows, the Humane Society, and many more. They are part of Division 14 in the LaMissTenn District of Key Club International. Key Club's core values are leadership, character building, caring, and inclusiveness. The Key Club International motto, which has been adopted by the BHS Key Club is, "Caring, Our Way of Life."

Hi-Tide

The Hi-Tide is a quarterly newspaper that is published by Biloxi High School. The main goal of the Hi-Tide is to keep students, faculty, staff, and community members informed of current events at Biloxi High School.

National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is an honorary association made up of students who excel in scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Students are selected by the faculty council in the fall of their junior or senior year.

Technology Student Association

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of technology education students. Open to students who are enrolled in or who have completed technology education courses, TSA is composed of over 100,000 elementary, middle, and high school students in 2,000 schools spanning 45 states. TSA is supported by educators, parents, and business leaders who believe in the need for a technologically literate society.

Environmental Club

The Biloxi High School's Environmental Club is a service club dedicated to helping students become partners in stewardship. Students who enroll in the club often find themselves becoming more aware about environmental and community issues. There are several service projects that the Environmental Club is involved in including its very own "Paws for a Cause" chapter benefiting the Harrison County Humane Society in the fall, and the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" held at the high school every spring.

BHS Environmental Club is also geared toward lending Mother Nature a hand. Students often schedule a work day to help keep Biloxi High's Nature Trail cleaned up and available for other classes and visitors to walk down. Posts and signs indicating natural flora have been placed all along the nature trail and are maintained by the Environmental Club.

The Environmental Club at BHS also raises money to sponsor Biloxi High's very own Canon Envirothon Competition Team. Each year, a team of five students with one alternate attend a local competition and compete for scholarships in areas such as aquatics and water quality, soil science, forestry and land management, and wildlife.

International Culture Club

The International Culture Club comprises students who wish to understand, appreciate, and study Oriental culture.

Health and Fitness Club

The Health and Fitness Club is made up of a group of students who wish to stay fit and healthy throughout their high school careers.

SADD Club

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club is run by the AFJROTC program and its goal is to discourage drug use and other common teen vices, while encouraging community involvement.

Tri-M Honor Society

Formerly known as M.A.Y.O. (Music Appreciation Youth Organization) to the students of Biloxi High. Tri-M is a national honor society that deals in the musical education needed for growing musicians around the country.

Notable alumni

• Fred Haise (Class of 1951), a member of the Apollo 13 mission to the moon
• Charles K. Pringle (Class of 1949), Biloxi lawyer and one of the first two Republicans to serve in the Mississippi House of Representatives since Reconstruction
• Isaiah Canaan (Class of 2009), Professional Basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA

References

1. ↑ Biloxi Public School District
2. ↑ http://www.biloxi.ms.us/gallery/12508/index.htm
3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2009-03-01. 
4. ↑ "Mississippi district installs web cameras in every classroom". From eSchool News staff and wire service reports. eSchool News. 2003-10-01. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
5. ↑ http://www.biloxischools.net/District/security.htm[]
6. ↑ Secretary Spellings Names 287 U.S. Schools as 2007 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools
7. ↑ WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Our Apologies

External links

• Official Website

Coordinates: 30°26′09″N 88°56′15″W / 30.43583°N 88.93750°W / 30.43583; -88.93750