Irmo High School

Infobox Secondary School
name =Irmo High School
native_name =
logo =
motto ="In Ourselves, Our Future Lies"
established = 1928
city =Columbia
state =South Carolina
country =United States
type =Public High School
principal =Eddie Walker
enrollment =2,000
grades =9-12
district =Lexington-Richland School District 5
mascot =Yellow Jacket
colors =Black and Gold
conference =4A - Region IV
newspaper =The Stinger
yearbook =

Irmo High School is a four-grade public high school in Irmo, a suburb of Columbia, South Carolina. Nearly 2,000 students are enrolled in any single year. Irmo High School falls under the administrative jurisdiction of District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties, which encompasses Irmo and Chapin.

Awards

Irmo student awards include the National Academic Championship in 1986, 2001, and 2002 (at Loyola University New Orleans and Pepperdine University), the ASCN Tournament of Champions in Chicago, Illinois in 2002, and the National Science Olympiad in 1987, 1989, and 1990. Irmo placed first at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments national tournament in Austin, Texas in 2002.

Irmo High School has received a number of national accolades, including the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Irmo is also known for its boys' soccer team, which has been ranked #1 in the country several times, and whose coach, Phil Savitz, has the singular honor of leading his teams to the most state championships of any coach at any high school in the United States. He most recently received the honor of his 500th career win.

The Bands of Irmo have been awarded the Sudler Flag, an award recognizing the band as elite among secondary music programs in the United States, Canada, and Japan. In addition, the Bands of Irmo won 10 consecutive 5A state marching band championships from 1994 to 2003. In 2004 The Bands of Irmo performed at Carnegie Hall earning a Gold Medal Award (1 of the 2 bands that did so out of a total of 6).

Irmo students frequently contend in the national essay contest sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace. Irmo students regularly contend in the SkillsUSA/VICA national skills competitions as well.

In 2004, Irmo High School implemented the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, an internationally recognized program of strenuous college courses. The first IB class in the history of Irmo, which graduated in May 2006, contained 25 candidates (of whom 15 received the IB diploma). Irmo High School has also produced numerous National Merit Scholars and National AP Scholars.

Notable alumni

*Leeza Gibbons (1975), television personality.
*Del Wilkes (1980), first team All-American offensive guard for the University of South Carolina football team in 1984, former professional wrestler.
*Andre Bauer (1987), South Carolina lieutenant governor 2003- .
*Captain Dan McCollum (1992), U.S. Marine pilot killed in Pakistan on January 9, 2002 in a helicopter crash during Operation Enduring Freedom.
*BJ McKie, (1995), guard for the 1997 University of South Carolina Southeastern Conference men's basketball championship team, first team All-SEC.

Therese Knecht Dozier

In 1985, Irmo history teacher Therese Knecht Dozier was honored as National Teacher of the Year. Dozier was later appointed special adviser to former Governor of South Carolina Richard W. Riley while he served as President Bill Clinton's Secretary of Education.

Feeder patterns

The following elementary schools feed into Irmo High School:
* Harbison West Elementary School
* Irmo Elementary School
* Leaphart Elementary School
* Nursery Road Elementary School
* Seven Oaks Elementary School

The following middle schools feed into Irmo High School:
* CrossRoads Middle School
* Irmo Middle School

External links

* [http://www.lex5.k12.sc.us/ihs/ Irmo High School Online]
* [http://www.goirmo.com/ Irmo H.S. athletics]
* [http://www.lex5.k12.sc.us/files/1274/IHSResignation.pdf/ Options Limited Regarding Club Establishment]
* [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357208,00.html/ South Carolina High School Principal to Resign Over Formation of Gay Club]