- Northampton County High School
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Northampton County High School – West STEM is a public high school located in Gaston, North Carolina.
The school's origins date back to Gumberry High School, which was constructed in the mid 1970s and was located in Gumberry, North Carolina. In the late 1980s, the district decided to consolidate and open a new high school which was closer to the portion of Northampton county that borders Lake Gaston. It was not until 1991 that the Northampton County School Board opened the doors to newly constructed Northampton County High School West. Northampton County High School West is located in Gaston, North Carolina. The school was then split into two schools - NCHS-West and NCHS-West STEM - in the 2004-05 school year. NCHS-West STEM was a science, technology, engineering and math freshman academy as part of the North Carolina New Schools' Project. NCHS-West consisted of grades 10-12 at that time. In 2009-10, NCHS-West was renamed NCHS-West STEM and includes grades 7-12.
The school colors are navy blue, grey and white, and they are known as the Mighty Hurricanes. The school is usually referred to as "West" by many students and community members. The school's population is predominately African American 85%, with 11% being Caucasian, 1% being Latino or Hispanic, and 3% being mixed or multicultural.
NCHS-West STEM enrolls about 440 students per year in grades 7-12. NCHS-West graduates about 89% of its seniors each year.
NCHS-West STEM offers a various number of athletic programs. The school is a member of the Tar-Roanoke Athletic Conference (TRAC), and is classified by the North Carolina High School Athletic Assoiciation as a "A" or 1-A school. Jerome Williams is NCHS-West's Athletic Director. The programs offered include volleyball, basketball, American football, baseball, softball, cheerleading, and marching and pep band. NCHS-West STEM athletics are known primarily for its basketball and football programs and band. The band is ranked #3 overall in the state and has the #1 ranked 2A band in the state. Hurricane athletics has had impressive seasons in basketball and football over the years. The football team pulled off a 13-1 record in 2006 before losing to Manteo High School in the Eastern Finals, and a 14-2 record that landed them in the 2005 State Championship game against Elkin High School. The club has also made playoff appearances for the last 13 seasons. Also the softball team has made it to district playoffs the past 3 years in a row, and to the state playoffs in 2008 thanks to the hard work of Coach Jerry Squire, and a hard working team with captains Christian Dunlow and Brooke Roberts. For first time coaching volleyball, Katti Jablenski has done an amazing job at leading these girls to great games. Along with captains Christian Dunlow and Brooke Roberts, the girls' volleyball team has done a great job this year.
Many students enter NCHS-West STEM from Gaston Elementary School, or transfer from local area schools. Students at NCHS-West STEM primarily live in the communities of Gaston, Garysburg, Pleasant Hill and Henrico, North Carolina. Other students live in Roanoke Rapids and Weldon, North Carolina.
External links
Categories:- High schools in North Carolina
- Schools in Northampton County, North Carolina
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