- P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School
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P.K. Yonge Developmenntal
Research School
Established 1934 Dean Dr. Linda Hayes Students 1,150 Location Gainesville, Florida, USA Website Official website P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School is operated by the University of Florida, in Gainesville, Florida as an independent school district and teaches from kindergarten through twelfth grade. As its name implies, it is a leader in educational development programs for the state of Florida.
Contents
Namesake
The school is named in honor of Philip Keyes Yonge (1850–1934), who served 29 years on the Florida Board of Control, the former governing body for all Florida public universities, including 22 years as its chairman. Yonge demonstrated a commitment to improve education in the state of Florida.
The School Director is Dr. Linda Hayes. Dr. Randy Scott is the High School Assistant Principal, Mrs. Amy Hollinger is the Elementary School Assistant Principal, and Dr. Russell Froman is the Middle School Assistant Principal.
One notable feature of the school is the creek (Tumblin' Creek) that runs through the school property. The cafeteria sits on the creek and students may enjoy the Florida nature scene while dining outdoors. It also has a county and state renowned performing arts program. Its band earned a standing superior at the Florida Band Master's Assessment in 2005, 2008 and 2009. Subsequently, the band qualified for state level competition in 2008, 2009 and 2010, placing 15th, 13th, and 7th respectively in its class.
Athletics
P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School teams compete under the name "Blue Wave".
Football
Unlike Gainesville High School, which gained fame for football in the 60's, 70's and 80's, Blue Wave football began to get attention in the late 80's on through the 21st century. During that period of time, The Blue Wave groomed some of the most highly regarded players in Florida Gator history. Some examples include Willie Jackson, Terry Jackson, Chris Doering, and Travis McGriff. They joined fellow PKY alum Robert Baker in the National Football League, giving PKY the most players from any high school in the NFL at the time in North Florida. Also, during that time the Blue Wave boasted twelve district titles, seven of them in a row (1998–2004). From 2001-2003, the Blue Wave held the state's longest regular season winning streak at 33 consecutive wins against a complement of excellent teams.
Boys basketball
The boys basketball program, like the football program, gained fame in the 80's that continues through to the 21st Century. It is one of the most elite programs in the state in both boys and girls basketball. The boys, under the direction of head coach Carlos Villalobos, are state contenders year in and year out. The boys won the state championship in 1991, and have played for the title three other times.
Girls basketball
The girls were a state power in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning two state titles, and playing for three more, in a six-year span. The girls team is currently coached by Willie Powers, an alumnus of the school. The girls basketball team won the 2a state championship in the 2009-2010 season.
Other sports
P.K. Yonge has teams in the following sports:
- Cross-Country
- Track & Field
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Basketball
- Football
The school has also won state titles in Boy's Cross Country (1980), Boy's Track and Field (1965, 2005, 2006, 2007), Girl's Track and Field (2005) and Girl's Volleyball (2000, 2002) The PK Yonge track and cross country team is highly successful.
Performing arts
Marching and Concert bands
The Blue Wave Marching Band started their 2009-2010 competition season with a clean-sweep of the Hurricane Pride Invitational Marching Band Festival class 1A competition, taking home all nine awards related to the class. These awards include General Effect, Music Performance, Marching Performance, Auxiliary/Color Guard, and Drum Major. They won first place over five competing bands, garnering a slot in a Final-competition performance. In their 2010 season the marching band made a huge improvement making seventh place at State Competition in the class 1A, while last year they scored in thirteenth place.
Clubs
- Model UN (United Nations)
- Key Club
- Pre-Collegiate
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
- Marine Science Club
- National Honor Society
- National Junior Honor Society
- March of Dimes
- International Club
- Strategic, Tactics, Game Club
- Student Council
- Weightlifting Club
- Video Game Club
- Theater Technology Club
- Bluegrass Club
- FIRST Robotics Team FRC 4118
Notable alumni
- Rodney Mullen - professional skateboarder
- Willie Jackson - Florida Gators wide receiver
- Chris Doering - Florida Gators wide receiver
- Travis McGriff - Florida Gators wide receiver
- Terry Jackson - Florida Gators running back
- Robert Baker - Auburn Tigers wide receiver
- Doug Dickey - College Football Hall of Fame coach
- Peter Small - groundbreaking researcher on tuberculosis and AIDS
- Jeff Jourard (class of 1971) and Marty Jourard (1972) of The Motels
- Sally Menke (class of 1972) - Oscar nominated film editor
See also
- Buildings at the University of Florida
External links
Categories:- High schools in Alachua County, Florida
- Educational institutions established in 1934
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