Washington High School (Atlanta)

Booker T. Washington Comprehensive High School, named for the famous educator, opened in September 1924 under the auspices of the Atlanta Board of Education, with the late Charles Lincoln Harper as principal. As the first public high school for African-Americans in the state of Georgia and the Atlanta Public Schools, Washington High School serves as a beacon in history. [http://apskids.org/washington/ Untitled Document ] ]

History

Designed by Atlanta-born architect Eugene C. Wachendorff, the building incorporates medieval and Byzantine elements, including the dramatic main entrance with five arches in two tiers. Six additions have been made to the original four-story building, which is situated on 21.4 acres of land. It is fitting that visitors pass the statue of the school's namesake on the way to the entrance. One of the foremost black educators of the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, Booker T. Washington was born into slavery in 1856 on a small farm in Virginia. He went on to found the Tuskegee institute in 1881.

In 1927, the only exact replica of the Booker T. Washington monument at Tuskegee University in Alabama was erected at the school's entrance. The statue of Washington, called "Booker T. Washington Lifting the Veil of Ignorance," is an exact replica of the original bronze at the Tuskegee Institute by sculptor Charles Keck. The inscription reads: "He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry."Today, the school, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, boasts an enrollment of more than 1600 students with a faculty and staff of more than 100. Recent visitors to the historic institution have included South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, activist Jesse Jackson, civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, and President George W. Bush. The school serves as a cornerstone of Atlanta Public School's comprehensive reform program, Project GRAD( Graduation Really Achieves Dreams). The project aims to increase the number of inner city students who graduate and go to college.

Academics

In addition to the college preparatory magnet program, S.T.A.R Academy (Students for Teaching Careers and Academic Readiness), Booker T. Washington High School offers three career academies: Business Technology, Culinary Arts, and Health and Human Services; A Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program, a ninth grade Academy, called the "Ninth Grade Success Hook Up" and a Senior Academy called "Future Connections".

The career academies prepare students for the future through a combination of school-based curricula and work-based experiences, which include paid internships following the completion of the junior year.

The magnet program recruits students from the eighth grade level from throughout the Atlanta Public School district, who meet the criteria for enrollment in the ninth grade. The Career Academies recruit students who are enrolled at Washington High School to begin specialized course work at the tenth grade level. [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Smaller%20Learning%20Communities.htm Untitled Document ] ]

.T.A.R. Academy (Magnet Program)

S.T.A.R. Academy includes two programs: (1) the Center for Teaching, which provides students considering a teaching career with pre-collegiate specialty classes and experiences related to the educational professions, and (2) the Center for Academic Readiness which provides rigorous academic preparation for college-bound students. Students enrolled in this college preparatory Magnet Program are challenged via advanced level classes in their core subject areas and required electives from 9th to 12th grade.

In the Center for Teaching, students are required to adhere to a demanding core curriculum in addition to grade level specific requirements. In the ninth grade, students take a rigorous program of study including a foreign language, complete 75 volunteer hours in a childcare facility or school, and participate in a Future Educators Association. In the tenth grade, students continue the demanding core content, including foreign language and add Introduction to Technology, which includes the use of various multimedia. During the eleventh grade, students take advanced placement classes in desired fields (e.g. English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies), and add a Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) preparation class and an education specialty course, Introduction to Teaching. The specialized class offers students the opportunity to complete forty-hours of job shadowing and expanded knowledge in the field of teaching and seventy-five hours in the feeder middle school after-school program. Twelfth grade students complete all requirements for a college preparatory seal with distinction, a semester of service as a teaching assistant in the high school and a ten-week internship in an elementary school.

In the Center for Academic Readiness, students double dose core content offerings, take three years of foreign language and complete 75 hours of volunteer service in a non-profit organization beyond the requirement for graduation. When students enter the junior year, they explore various career programs provided by the school to help them make an informed career decision. Through various experimental learning activities and educational shadowing experiences, the student selects an internship for the senior year. Students in this center seek the dual seal (college prep and vocational) S.T.A.R. Academy's enrollment is open to City of Atlanta residents entering grade nine who meet the criteria of good attendance and conduct, two teacher recommendations and a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 Scale. [ [http://apskids.org/washington/S.T.A.R.%20Academy.htm Untitled Document ] ]

Business Technology Academy/Academy of Finance

Students enrolled in the Business Technology Academy may elect to participate in one of two curriculum strands leading into either the A+ certification or certification by the National Academy of Finance. Those holding the A+ certification have a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance, and basic networking. The Academy of Finance, a member of the National Academy Foundation (NAF), introduces students to all facets of the financial services industry and equips them to make sound financial choices for their future. Students are provided with industry- related courses of study.

Business Technology Academy students are challenged with an integrated curriculum. In the tenth grade, students are required to take Business Procedures and Banking and Finance, to introduce them to all aspects of the business and financial industry. During the eleventh grade, students take Accounting, Web Page Design and/or Consumer Economics. These concentration courses allow the students to prepare for summer internships provided by the National Academy Foundation. During the twelfth grade year, students are enrolled in Information Technology (IT) Foundations and/or Cooperative Business Education (CBE) in preparation for A+ certification and on-the-job training. In addition to the specialty curriculum conducted in a nontraditional classroom (a simulated company and/or a student-operated bank), students are provided opportunities to experience the careers in which they are interested via research, field trips, guest lecturers, mentoring programs, and tutorials. [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Business%20Technology%20Academy.htm Untitled Document ] ]

Culinary Arts Academy

The Culinary Arts Academy utilizes the ProStart Curriculum designed by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. ProStart is the pioneering School-to-Work program that introduces tenth grade students to careers in food service and teaches them the basic skills and knowledge they need for success in the industry. ProStart encourages students to experience all aspects of operating and managing a food service establishment, and also helps students build good business and management skills.

Professional Food Management I and II, the introductory course, exposes tenth grade students to a full range of career options in culinary arts. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills. Students operate , a school-based restaurant, Le Petit Cafe that provides hands on learning experiences.

Professional Food Management III and IV, challenges eleventh grade students to enhance the business and management concepts of the culinary profession. Via Chef's Café Elite, a well equipped foods lab and school-based restaurant, students operate a catering enterprise. The students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in computer applications and participate in job shadowing, Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Preparation, and summer enrichment.

Upon meeting all the graduation requirements, twelfth grade students are provided internships, and paid work based learning opportunities. Job site mentors work with students to help them put into practice the skills and food service concepts they have learned in the classroom. Additionally, students meeting high academic standards and successfully passing the ProStart certification exams are awarded industry-recognized certificates and are also able to articulate twelve postsecondary credits with the Atlanta Art Institute. [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Culinary%20Arts%20Academy.htm Untitled Document ] ]

Health and Human Services Academy

The Health and Human Services Academy (HHSA) is a specialized program of study designed to expose students to a wide range of careers in the health and human services professions. Students experience learning with a career focus and obtain information on educational choices, career opportunities, and technical requirements. The three-year program includes course work in English, science, mathematics, social studies, foreign language, and special courses in health and wellness, sports medicine/ athletic training and biomedical sciences.

The mission of the HHSA is to increase awareness of the healthcare profession through rigorous academic preparation and meaningful work-based learning experience resulting in students' readiness for postsecondary education or entry-level healthcare positions.

Students are challenged with an integrated curriculum of academic and vocational courses that emphasize critical thinking and problem solving. HHSA is designed to meet the educational requirements of a college preparatory and/or vocational course of study. The academy provides a learning environment that encourages active student involvement and teamwork.

In the tenth grade, students are required to take Health Science I and II, a course that introduces them to all aspects of the health care industry. Additionally, students have many field trips, guest lectures, mentoring, tutorials, and opportunities to learn a variety of skills associated with health careers and professions.

During the eleventh grade course Health Science III and IV, students focus on anatomy, physiology, biomedical applications, foundations of nursing, sports medicine/athletic training, and wellness. In addition to these courses, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in computer applications, and participate in job shadowing, Student Assessment (SAT) Preparation, and summer academic enrichment.

Upon meeting all graduation requirements, twelfth grade students have the opportunity to complete an internship in a health care environment, and experience real world applications for what they have learned in school. Students also have the option to take advanced placement courses in math, science, and language arts. The goal of the academy is to graduate students who are well-prepared, and marketable. [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Health%20and%20Human%20Services%20Academy.htm Untitled Document ] ]

Ninth Grade Success Hook-Up Academy

The Ninth Grade Academy is a concept that developed High School (BTW) an expansion of the Ninth Grade Success Hook-up infusion program. It was designed to nurture ninth grade students with a proactive program specific to their needs.

Our vision, is to establish an educational environment in which all ninth grade students can experience academic and social success as the transition into the high school setting. Our expectation is that each student will obtain a high school diploma and the knowledge and experience to succeed in post high school endeavors. Our major aim is to provide an extensive acclimation to high school in general and BTW High School in particular.

The Ninth Grade Success Hookup Academy will:
* Provide a smooth transition from the middle school setting to the high school setting
* Promote self esteem and pride in academic success via an emphasis on high standards
* Provide guidance in developing appropriate study habits/skills
* Provide class and school pride through special activities and opportunities
* Establish a solid relationship and communication between parents and students
* Provide a support staff for expeditious response time to student needs/concern (Counselor/Social Worker/ Attendance Aide/Coordinator)
* Provide special training for teachers in preparation for meeting the needs of incoming ninth grade students
* Provide initial and ongoing guidance for student academic Stability in following selected programs of study

Key components of the Ninth Grade Success Hook-up Academy will include the following:
* School History
* School Pride & Spirit
* Placement/Assessment Data
* Study/Organizational Skills
* Guidance (Student/Parents)
* Parental Involvement
* Extracurricular Engagement
* Appropriate Decorum and Social Etiquette
* Service Learning
* Social Services Program Dedicated to the Ninth Grade School [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Ninth%20Grade%20Academy.htm Untitled Document ] ]

Local School Council

The property and business of the Booker T. Washington High School local council is managed by seven school council members of whom two are parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school, two are teachers, and two are business education partners. The principal serves as chairperson of the Local School Council, which meets the first Monday of each month from 9:00-10:00 A.M. in the second floor conference room at the school. [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Local%20School%20Council.htm Untitled Document ] ]

tudent Activities

Clubs & Organizations

* Academic Enrichment Team
* Adopt-A-Student
* Band/Auxiliaries
* Beta Club
* National Honor Society
* Chess Club
* Cheerleading
* Chorus
* Close-Up
* Dance Ensemble
* Debate Team
* Drama Club
* Ecology Club
* Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
* Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
* French Club
* French Honor Society
* Future Educators of America
* Girls Empowered for Maximum Success (GEMS)
* Gentlemen Empowered to Network Toward Success (GENTS)
* Health Occupations Students of America (H.O.S.A.)
* High Schools That Work
* International Exchange Program
* Links Teen Empowerment
* Mathematics Team/Quiz Bowl
* Mock Trial
* Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society)
* National Vocational Technical Honor Society
* Ninth Grade Success Hook-up
* Photography/Videography Club
* Renaissance
* Spanish Club
* Spanish Honor Society
* Stock Market
* Student Government Association
* Student Support Team
* Washingtonian Newspaper and Yearbook Team

Athletics

* Football
* Softball
* Baseball
* Track & Field
* Cross Country
* Volley Ball
* Golf
* Soccer
* Golf
* Basketball
* Tennis [ [http://apskids.org/washington/Activities.htm Untitled Document ] ]

References

External links

* [http://apskids.org/washington/index.html| Booker T. Washington High's Official Page]