Bloomington High School North
| Bloomington High School North | |
|---|---|
| File:Northentrance.JPG | |
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Motto | It's Great To Be A Cougar! |
| Established | 1972 |
| Principal | Jeff Henderson |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Number of students | 1565 |
| Color(s) | Maroon & Gold |
| Mascot | Cougars |
| Snapshot | BHSN |
| Website | www.north.mccsc.edu |
Bloomington High School North (often referred to as BHSN or simply North) is a comprehensive four-year public high school located in the northern part of Bloomington, Indiana and is accredited by the Indiana State Department of Public Instruction and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Preliminary data for the 2006-2007 academic year shows BHSN has an enrollment of 1565 students, which are fed predominantly by Tri-North Middle School as well as Batchelor Middle School, Jackson Creek Middle School, St. Charles School, Harmony School, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and Pinnacle School.
It operates on the Block 8 schedule with students taking four 85-minute courses on Maroon Days and four 85-minute courses on the alernating day - Gold Days. Students have a 60 minute advisory every Friday morning called Seminar. Seminar is an opportunty to hold school assemblies, grade level convocations, club meetings, tutoring, and Freshmen Orientation activities. The curriculum includes over 140 different course offerings and allows students to design academic programs to meet their individual needs. Graduation requirements are based on work completed in grades nine through twelve. Accelerated programs enable students to complete high school requirements in seven semesters.Special features of the curriculum include AP and Accelerated Learning courses, vocational/technical training, work-study programs, interdisciplinary studies, and independent study.
The mission of the Bloomington High School North community is to seek knowledge through inquiry, wisdom through understanding, success through achievement and purpose through service to others.
Academics
Bloomington High School North is noted for its academic achievement in several areas. It has consistently ranked in the 95th percentile in ACT, PSAT and SAT scores, well above the Indiana state average. It boasts several students who have been named National Merit Scholars through the years. Its Advanced Placement program is above the state average, with 76% of students earning a score of 3 or above in 2004 and students chosen as Advanced Placement Scholars each year. Many seniors choose to take courses at Indiana University, with some courses taught by BHSN faulty during the day. The average percentage of students who pass the ISTEP English and Math state-mandated assessments for NCLB has been above the Indiana state average since at least 2000.[1]
Beside state universities and colleges of varying size, graduates from BHSN have also been accepted at Amherst, Brown University, Carleton, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia University, Georgetown, Harvard, Macalaster, MIT, Northwestern, Princeton, Smith, Stanford, Swarthmore, UC Berkeley, University of Chicago, Vassar, Wake Forest, Washington University, West Point, Wittenberg, and Yale in recent years.[2]
Many rigorous courses are offered to students who want a challenging academic program including an interdisciplinary course for freshmen that combines critical studies in literary theory and social science theory; Finite Mathematics and other advanced math courses; Ethnic Studies, which covers the history of ethnic minority groups in the United States; a science research course that allows students to conduct research with scientists at Indiana University; a course that explores the history and culture of American sports; and rich electives in the arts such as Film Literature, Digital Photography, Jazz Band, Visual Communications, Stained Glass Arts, Advanced Theatre Production, Fiber Arts, and Music Theory. Its arts curricula are used as models in high schools throughout the nation and has led to many awards for its instrumental music, vocal music, theatre, and visual art programs.
During the 2005-2006 school year, the school's students showcased their talents and abilities throughout the state and nation:
In science: state champion in Science Olympiad for the fifth year in a row. They did so again in 2007.
In music: Advanced Jazz Ensemble named Honor Band at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Symphonic Band third in state at ISMAA competition. In 2007 the Marching Band placed 5th at the state level.
In art: Gold and Silver Keys at Indiana Scholastic Artc ompetition, Scholastic American Vision Award Nominee, and student Exhibitor in the National Society of Arts and Letters Competition.
State winners in Speech and Debate, Japan Quiz Bowl Competitions while the Business Professionals of America finished first in the state
School Life
The school is known for its eclectic student body, composed of students from many nations around the world as well as of children of world-renowned faculty at nearby Indiana University. Students are active with performing arts opportunities in Bloomington including the Rhino's Music Club, the Bloomington Playwrights Project, and more. The school's service learning programs include cadet teaching, community service, and internship opportunities for seniors that create unique links between the school and the greater Bloomington community.
The school has a new black box theatre and a refurbished auditorium. Recent theatrical productions have included My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol, You Can't Take It With You, West Side Story, The Dining Room, The Fantasticks, Damn Yankees, and a yearly evening of one-act plays and pieces produced by students in the Advanced Theatre Production class (a notable performance of collected scenes by Arthur Miller was staged in 2004). Theatre director Francesca Sobrer's students are also known for performing as Living Statues each fall at the Bloomington Farmers' Market.[3] [4]
The school's many service organizations and student clubs are active fundraisers. In 2005-2006, the North Student Council and National Honor Society raised over $9,545 for Riley Children’s Hospital. The school's award-winning Habitat for Humanity chapter co-sponsored and built its sixth house for Habitat for Humanity, the only high school in the nation to accomplish this undertaking.
Many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are available to students at BHSN. The athletic opportunities for students at BHSN include:
Baseball, Boys Basketball, Boys Cross Country, Boys Golf, Boys Tennis, Boys Soccer, Boys Track, Boys Swimming, Cheerleading, Football, Girls Basketball, Girls Cross Country, Girls Golf, Girls Tennis, Girls Track, Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming, Softball, Volleyball, Wrestling
In just the 2005-2006 school year alone, BHSN earned several athletic honors, including: Five sectional championships in Boy'sSoccer, Girl's Volleyball, Girl’s Tennis, Girl’s Cross Country, Girl’s Track. Three regional championships in Boy’s Soccer, Girl’s Cross Country and Girl’s Track. Two semistate championships in Boy’s Soccer and Girl’s Tennis. One state champion in Girl’s Track.
In 2005-2006 Bloomington North's football team went 6-3 and they beat Mooresville in the sectionals and advanced to Semi Finals but lost to Carmel Greyhounds 28-27.
Bloomington North's chief rival is the crosstown Bloomington South Panthers. Both play in Conference Indiana.
Clubs, organizations, and academic/arts groups at BHSN include:
Academic Decathlon, Academic Super Bowl, Art Club, Book Club, Business Professionals of America, Choral, Cougar Leaders, Digital Arts Society, Drama (Fall Production and Spring Musical), Drumline, Environmental Club, Federation of Christian Athletes, French Club, German Club, Habitat for Humanity, Japan Club, Jazz and Concert Bands, Junior Statesmen of America (JSA), Latin Club, Marching Band, Media Club, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Newspaper and Yearbook, Orchestra, Philbeck's Phriday Phlicks, Ping Pong Club, Poetry Club, Poms (Fall and Winter), Quiz Bowl, Role Playing Club, Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, Speech & Debate Team, Spell Bowl, Student Council, Travel Club, United Students, Video Game Club, Youth Summit
The school strives to assist all of its student population and the guidance counselors and social workers are highly trained to offer the following support services:
Grief Group, HELP (Heritage and Environmental Learning), ISG (Internation Student Group), SAVE (Students Against Violent Acts), TAP (Tobacco Awareness), US (United Students, the school GSA)
Faculty and staff
The school has had a long tradition of maintaining a faculty that is active in leadership positions with several local, state, and national organizations. The following is a representative sample of current BHSN staff members who are active in leading educational change.
Greg Chaffin became a counselor at BHSN after teaching overseas in the American School of Kuwait. He is the current President of the Indiana School Counselor Association.[5]
Steve Cole is the Technology Coordinator for BHSN and has served as a classroom teacher and technology educator throughout Indiana, including the Center for Research on Learning and Technology.[6] He has has been an active leader of organizations such as the Indiana Computer Educators group (ICE).[7]
Diane Davis-Deckard teaches painting and drawing and along with Jim Callahan, computer graphics teacher, sponsors the National Art Honor Society. She has mentored students in winning several scholarships, prizes, and awards in the visual arts, including several Gold Awards from the Scholastic Art Awards component of the Alliance of Young Artists.
Jeff Fisher teaches business foundations and business management, using his background in the US Armed Forces and private business sector to create real-world applications that prove to be popular with his students. He has led the school's Business Professionals of America team to national championships.[8]
Joanne Frye, a native of Long Island, NY and a SUNY alumna, taught in Miami, FL before joining the faculty at BHSN. She teaches Advanced Placement English and the Indiana University English ACP courses Elementary Composition and Literary Interpretation. She is an expert in the teaching of writing, having co-authored several English teacher resources, including the Write More, Learn More program.
Ryan Gunterman, who teaches Journalism and student publications, is the President of the Indiana High School Press Association. He was named one of nine national Rising Stars by the Journalism Education Association. Ryan is in demand as a speaker and workshop instructor for several journalism camps each year.
Mark Helmsing, who teaches English and Speech, was the 2003 Chancellor's Scholar in Education at Indiana University and has coached the school's Speech & Debate team as a part of the Indiana High School Forensics Association and National Forensics League tournaments. He serves on the the National Council of Teachers of English Assembly for Computers in English. In addition to having taught overseas, he has given presentations and workshops on issues in English and social studies education, historic preservation, and public history. He is also quite prone to sudden loud outbursts. [9] [10]
Molly Jeon teaches Japanese and is Vice-President of the Association of Indiana Teachers of Japanese. She lived in Japan while researching Japanese music and became a noted musician, attaining natori status (an artist’s title that allows the recipient to teach). She entered the top music school in Japan with a scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education to do research on the singing voice of Japan and holds a master’s degree in ethnomusicology.[11]
Kathy Loser directs the BHSN Library and sponsors North's Book Club, Poetry Club, and JSA chapter. She has served on various library boards and organizations in the fields of adolescent and adult literacy, research services, media education, and computer education. Having taught throughout California and Indiana, Kathy is currently helping implement the recent I-SAFE internet safety initiative and was an early organizer of the Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Rosie Award)program. Her background also includes experiences working in children's television and multimedia (video) training.[12]
Steve Philbeck teaches world geography and the popular Ethnic Studies courses at BHSN. His world geography projects are unique examples of problem-based learning using students' multiple intelligences. He is a leading figure in the Bloomington community for his distinguished career in directing social services and youth agencies. Steve, who helped coach the 1997 BHSN Basketball team to the IHSAA State Basketball Championship, is active with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Community Justice and Mediation program, and the Indiana University African-American Read-In program. He has been a mentor for many North students, guiding them to stay in school, graduate, and beome successful adults.
Natasha Roe teaches the Latin program at BHSN and is a scholar in Latin love elegies, Greek tragedies, and classical epics, having earned advanced degrees in Latin and English from Miami University and Indiana University. Some of her scholarly publications include "Gender Construction in Translation: Close Examination of Selected Poems of Propertius' Book I Elegies" and "Ovid as an Epic Hero".[13]
Simon Ruiz is the Technology Assistant at BHSN and a leading figure in promoting the use of Linux among educators. He has helped implement the use of 1:1 computing workstations in the BHSN English Department by maximizing the use and possibilities of open source software. He has led workshops and sessions on Linux, open source software, and other instructional technology topics.[14]
Jean Schick is the MCCSC Science Coordinator, BHSN Science Department Chair, and AP Biology Instructor. Among many of her contributions to science education include her role in the Bloomington NASA project and leading the parternship between the Bloomington Life Science Partnership and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation.
Daria Smith teaches fiber arts, jewlery, and ceramics at BHSN. She holds a M.F.A. in Ceramics from Indiana University and is an internationally recognized artist specializing in ceramic tiles and sculpting. She won the prestigious Teacher Creativity Fellowship by the Eli Lilly Foundation to further her specialization in working with clay. Her art can been seen in galleries throughout the United States. Daria is also an experienced teacher in the Waldorf Education model.
Janis Stockhouse is Director of Bands at BHSN and is a member of the Young Talent Resource Team of the International Association for Jazz Education. She has won numerous awards for her contributions in both conducting and jazz education and is the co-author of Jazzwomen: Conversations with Twenty-One Musicians.[15]
Pat Wilson teaches AP US History and AP Government at BHSN in addition to sponsoring the school's Habitat for Humanity chapter, one of the leading high school Habitat chapters in the country. She has worked with Indiana University professors in social studies education and teaches pre-service social studies education courses with her BHSN colleague David Pillar.
Louise Wohlafka is Director of Choirs at BHSN and has had a major career as a performer since her debut in 1970 as Violetta in LaTraviata at Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, N.Y. where she trained in opera, performing 15 soprano roles and specializing in Bel Canto. She sung at the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1977-1988 where she performed many roles including several telecasts in the “Live From the Met” series, including a memorable performance with Luciano Pavarotti.
Bloomington High School North is unique among many Indiana high schools in that its faculty has included a high percentage of teachers with doctoral degrees. Many emeritus faculty such as dean of students Jeannine Butler, counselor Kathleen Boggess, Fine Art department chair Deniese Smith, Social Studies department chair Vivian Miller, and English teacher Barbara Grady hold doctoral degrees and are experts in their individual fields. Lori Hoevener is a current English teacher who holds a doctoral degree in education.
Cougar Wall of Fame
In 2006, the BHSN parent organization Cougars for Better Education unveiled the long-anticipated Cougar Wall of Fame, which recognizes and honors alumni of the school who have made significant contributions to respective fields. The first set of honorees inducted include:
- Candi Arnold, BHSN, 1984
- Joshua Bell, BHSN, 1984
- Tiffany Storm Ericson, BHSN, 1988
- Eleanor Fell, University High School, 1962
- Rusty Joe Fishel, BHSN, 1974
- Jennifer Warthan Hollers, BHSN, 1992
- Michael Kinser, BHSN, 1975
- Ricardo Morales, BHSN, 1989
- David Snyder, BHSN, 1978
- Terry Stotts, BHSN, 1976
Other famous North Alums include Jared Jeffries 2000 and Sean May 2002