Gloucester High School (Virginia)

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Gloucester High School
Dukeghs2.png
Address
6680 Short Lane
Gloucester, Virginia 23061
United States
Information
School type Public high school
Founded 1976 (in current building)
School district Gloucester County Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Walter R. Clemons
Principal Mr. Nate Collins
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 1,950 [1] (2011-12)
Language English
Campus Rural
Color(s)               Red, White and Gold
Mascot Dukes
Website

Gloucester High School is a fully accredited public high school located four miles from Gloucester Courthouse (the county seat) in Gloucester County, Virginia, USA. It is operated by Gloucester County Public Schools, a Virginia public school division.

The current complex was originally built in 1976, and has been expanded several times since. The current high school facility remains the only high school in the county, even though student numbers have risen steadily since its construction date. the current amount of students ranges somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000.

Renovations

A major addition was built onto the school in 1993 and functions mainly as the school's science wing and is fully equipped with 3 computer labs, 2 full scale chemistry labs, as well as other classrooms with enough equipment for simple demonstrations. It is known to students and faculty as D-Hall. Also included in the expansion was a foreign language hall at the opposite end of the building, built onto A-Hall. Less extensive renovations have occurred since then, including the office and guidance offices in 2005. Beginning in April 2006, the industrial arts facilities were remodeled into new art rooms by the beginning of the following school year, freeing up the previous art rooms for normal classroom use. The old primary art room became the newsroom of the school newspaper, the Dukes' Dispatch. During the summer of 2006, the school's television production facility was updated with new equipment and made into a studio. The school then began producing programming for its own local Public-access television cable TV channel. The most recent renovations were completed in October 2006, and included a $700,000 renovation of the school's auditorium.

During the summer of 2007, Gloucester High began outfitting classrooms with LCD projectors. Most recently, another wing of the school began renovations to add a cardiovascular workout room. The room will include treadmills and other cardiovascular workout machines.

Class structure

Gloucester High School operates on an A-Day B-Day block scheduling structure. The school day begins at 7:55 am EDT and ends at 2:40 pm EDT. Every day there are three classes just over 90 minutes in length and one class 55 minutes in length. The 55-minute class meets every day. The following day will contain three other 90-minute classes and the 55-minute class, totaling in seven classes. There are three lunch blocks, each 25 minutes in length, which take place in third block.[2]

Grading at GHS is done on a full credit basis, where after completing 2 semesters, a full school year class, 1 credit is granted. This is a change from past years where a half credit was awarded after the completion of 1 semester.

Facilities

The facilities of Gloucester High School include:

  • Various sports installations
  • Academic installations
    • Large Auditorium (Renovated 2006)
    • Fully equipped science laboratories
    • Nine computer labs, each with roughly twenty-five computers and a ceiling mounted LCD projector
    • A fully equipped, state-of-the-art library
    • A driver's education driving range
    • Television production lab
    • Greenhouse for Horticultural classes
    • An auto-mechanics facility
    • Complete restaurant kitchen facilities for the student-run International Café
  • Other installations
    • Three cafeterias: a large open area known as The Commons, as well as two conventional cafeterias.
    • Nurse facilities including an emergency defibrillator
    • 3d printer for architecture classes
    • Student parking lot

Athletics

Gloucester High school is in the VHSL AAA Division 6 and plays in the Peninsula District of Virginia.

Fall Athletics

Winter Athletics

Spring Athletics

Theatre

Gloucester High School has also been recognized for its drama department. Every year the drama department, or Duke Troupe, compete in a regional competition theatre as well as perform two public shows a year, a fall play and a spring musical. Past shows include South Pacific, Little Shop of Horrors, A Christmas Carol, Grease, Dracula, Footloose, Scheme of a Driftless Shifter, The Wizard of Oz, Anybody for Tea, Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Disney's High School Musical, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The school's performances are open for participation by any student at the school, not just those enrolled in theatre classes.

Culinary Arts

Gloucester High School operates a fully functioning dining room called "Dukes Bistro". The culinary program places a heavy emphasis on French cuisine, as well as Gloucester County's historical significance in the seafood industry. The culinary program has competed on a state and national level, winning first place in Virginia in 2009 and 2011.

School Events

  • Spirit Week is held the week of Homecoming and consists of themed days including Twin Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wacky Day, and Decade Day. On the day of the game, Friday, students dress in the high school colors, red, black, and gold and hold a pep rally outside on the bleachers of the football field.
  • Foreign Language Week is a week, usually in March or April, when students and teachers celebrate foreign languages. Students create displays and, along with teachers, organize a banquet to take place after school. The banquet, held in the Commons, consists of ethnic foods cooked and served by the school's culinary students. Language classes usually perform skits and songs for those in attendance.
  • Junior Ring Dance is essentially junior prom. It is sponsored and run by the junior class, and it is during this dance that the Juniors are presented with their class rings.
  • Senior Prom
  • Senior Graduation takes place every year in June.
  • NJROTC Ball takes place every year for ROTC cadets and their dates only.

Notable faculty

References

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  2. http://ghs.gc.k12.va.us/bell_lunch_sched_09-10.pdf

External links

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