Vanguard High School

Vanguard High School is one of eight High Schools in Marion County, Florida. The school serves the northeast area of Ocala, Florida. Vanguard offers the International Baccalaureate program for students, which accepts pupils from outside districts and makes up about 25% of the student population. Vanguard's mascot is a Knight and the school colors are red, white, and blue. One notable alumnus is NFL football player Daunte Culpepper. The Vanguard Knight's cross-town rivals are the Forest High School Wildcats. Progress Energy Inc is the school's business partner. [http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/vhs/ 1]

The student population as of the 2006-2007 school year is 1743 students. [2006-2007 Vanguard High School Year Book, Page 1] In the 2005-2006 school year, there were 1796 students, 441 of which were in the IB program.

The school is staffed by 150 people. [2006-2007 Vanguard High School Year Book, Page 1]

IB Program

In 1996, Vanguard began involvement with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. It was the 26th High School in the state of Florida and is currently the only school in all of Marion County to offer this curriculum. [http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/vhs/ 1]

Pupils accepted into the program take special classes for their Freshman and Sophomore years, which prepare them for the actual IB courses taken in Junior and Senior years. Students can be accepted into the program as ninth or tenth graders, but eleventh and twelfth graders can only transfer in from another IB school. The first two years are termed as Pre-IB, and are not officially IB.

Renovation

Renovations to the school are in progress, with groundbreaking taking place during the Summer of 2006. The project will help beautify the school, while accommodating more students with new classrooms. Because of the sound structural integrity of the current school facilities, notably the 'Round Building', these existing buildings will not change much, as far as their general design goes. Among the new additions planned is a new cafeteria. The existing lunch room will most likely be turned into an auditorium, of some sort.

With the new construction comes preparations. Everything will need to be removed from the classrooms, as the buildings will be stripped down to their shell. The construction was set to start during the summer, as its initiation would not obstruct teaching.

The portable classrooms have been relocated to what was a field, and a new pathway of sidewalks connect them to the rest of the buildings on campus.

After the first semester of the 2006-2007 school year, the school changed their policy on parking due to the construction. Only Seniors with parking permits and staff are currently allowed to use the parking in the front of the school, while other people must park in the rear of the school. Additionally, students must be dropped off and picked up in the back as well.

The asphalt from the former faculty parking lot has been ripped out. It is in the process of being resurfaced. Towards the rear of the school, the foundation for the new building has been laid and the cinder blocks that form its wall are being put together.

Students will be using the new buildings, including a new cafeteria, and two new classroom buildings, in the second semester of the '07-08 school year. At the same time however, the main building (dubbed the "round building") will be closed for renovations, forcing many classes to be moved into portable classrooms placed on the school track.

Integration

Vanguard was the first integrated school in Marion County. Since its beginnings, Vanguard High School has been a melting pot, with students from many different races working together. No problems arose when this policy was made, despite the issues suffered elsewhere by integration.

Notable alumni

* Daunte Culpepper Quarterback for the Oakland Raiders in the NFL
* Deanna Wright actress known for playing in the soap opera Passions
* Drayton Florence Cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL

ee also

International Baccalaureate
IB Diploma ProgrammeThe schools boys cross-country team placed 4th at the 2003 3A state meet

Notes

References

* 2006-2007 Vanguard High School Year Book

External links

* [http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/vhs/ Vanguard High School Website]
* [http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/ Marion County Public Schools Website]
* [http://www.classreport.org/usa/fl/ocala/vhs Vanguard High School-Class Reunion Website] at Classreport.org