Spanish River Community High School

Infobox Secondary school
picture =
name = Spanish River Community High School
principal = Susan Atherley
city = Boca Raton
state = Florida
country = United States
established = 1983
campus = Suburban
type = Public (magnet) secondary
students = 2105
grades = 9–12
district = Palm Beach County School District
mascot = Shark
newspaper = The Galleon
yearbook = "The Tiburon"
colors = Blue and Silver
website = http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/spanishriverhs/

Spanish River Community High School is a public, coeducational high school serving the cities of Boca Raton and Delray Beach as part of the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida. The school was rated an "A" school by the Florida Department of Education in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 [http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/default.asp?action=verifySelectionSchool&report=SG&districts=50&schoolYear=2005-2006%2C2004-2005%2C2003-2004%2C2002-2003%2C2001-2002%2C2000-2001%2C1999-2000%2C1998-1999&school_grade=A%2CB%2CC%2CD%2CF%2CI%2CP%2CM%2CS&level=School&schoolNumbers=501681] and ranked 410 in the 2004 Newsweek list of the 1,000 Top High Schools [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7723397/site/newsweek/page/5/] .

History

Spanish River opened in 1983 and graduated its first senior class in 1985. Built to relieve crowding at Boca Raton Community High School and in anticipation of the tremendous growth of suburban Boca Raton, the campus was initially isolated and surrounded by farms. Quickly, the campus was filled beyond capacity as the surrounding area rapidly developed. Additional classroom space was constructed in 1985 and again in 1988. Twenty-two years later, the campus expanded again as the district completed construction on the Countess de Hoernle Auditorium.

The school opened under the direction of Dr. William Pinder, who was appointed in 1982 to oversee the staffing and opening of Spanish River.

Following Dr. Pinder's transfer to other duties two years later, Dr. Arthur Johnson was transferred in from nearby Boca Raton Community High School.

Johnson left to accept a promotion in 1997 and was replaced on an interim basis by long-time assistant principal Barbara Porcher. In time for the beginning of classes in the fall of 1997, Dr. Wallis Sherman was promoted to principal after several years as an assistant principal elsewhere in the district.

Bonnie Fox replaced Sherman in 1999.

Geoff McKee replaced Fox in 1999. His tenure lasted four years, before he transferred to arch-rival Boca Raton High School. His replacement was Constance Tuman-Rugg, a former middle school principal. In 2007 she became chief of curriculum for Palm Beach County, and was replaced by Susan Atherly.

Principals

*William Pinder, Ph.D. (1983-1986)
*Arthur C. Johnson, Ph.D. (1986-1997)
*Barbara Porcher (1997)
*Wallis J. Sherman, Ed.D. (1997-1999)
*Bonnie C. Fox (1999)
*Geoff McKee, Ph.D. (1999-2003)
*Constance Tuman-Rugg, Ed.D. (2003-2007)
*Susan Atherley (2007-present)

Programs

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History & Law

In 2005, Spanish River was selected by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to host the Institute's first high school history program in the southeast United States. With the support of the Institute, the school has implemented a four-year American history program and a companion legal studies program. Students in the program take a course in American history each year.

The program also includes a unique Saturday Academy program for middle and high school students. The Saturday Academy features narrowly focused, in-depth courses in American history which give students and teachers the time and flexibility to study topics that may otherwise not be fully addressed during school hours [http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/history4.html] .

Biotech Academy

In 2006, the Spanish River Biotech Academy was created in order to attract new students to the school and to lead education in Palm Beach County. Initially, classes were held in science rooms at the school. At the start of the 08-09 school year, the school opened a high tech wing specifically for this academy.

The website of the Biotech Academy can be accessed from the school's web page.

Overcrowding

Due to the addition of the new Biotech Academy at Spanish River High School, students from other schools are permitted to attend Spanish River High School in the same way that a student can apply to a Magnet School outside of their homes' zoning (such as International Baccalaureate).

Athletics

State Titles

Spanish River's athletic teams have won a number of state titles, including championships in:
* Girl's Cross Country (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_ccg.pdf]
* Boy's Soccer (1997) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_scb.pdf]
* Girl's Soccer (1996, 1997, 1999) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_scg.pdf]
* Boy's Tennis (1989) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_tnb.pdf]
* Girl's Tennis (1987, 1989) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_tng.pdf]
* Boy's Swimming (1987, 1989, 1990, 1991) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_swb.pdf]
* Girl's Swimming (1986, 1987) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_swg.pdf]
* Boy's Volleyball (2006, 2007) [http://www.fhsaa.org/vbb/2006/brak_finals.htm]
* Girl's Volleyball (1989, 1991, 1996, 2003) [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_vbg.pdf]
* Varsity Football (Nothing)

Rivalries

The school's traditional athletic rival is Boca Raton Community High School, though this has varied as the athletic districts have realigned over the years and as local schools have grown or contracted in population. In the 1980s, the Spanish River-Boca High rivalry was at its peak as both schools vied for city bragging rights. In varsity football, the two public schools, along with parochial Pope John Paul II Regional High School, each played the other two schools annually. The school with the best record in city competition was awarded the city championship trophy. By the mid-1990s the rivalry had faded and Spanish River although recently played PJP and lost there Homecoming game to them in 2007-2008 then continuing on to a stellar 0-10 record.

With the opening of Olympic Heights Community High School in unincorporated west Boca Raton in 1991, the major football rivalry shifted. OHCHS was formed primarily by students and faculty transferred from Spanish River creating a natural bond and athletic rivalry.

Rivalries also vary by sport. Girl's volleyball has an intense, long-running rivalry with Olympic Heights. Girl's soccer has a strong rivalry with Wellington High School, Parkland-Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, and the St. Andrew's School of Boca Raton.

Notable Alumni

Books

*Adam D. Roberts, 1997 (author, "The Amateur Gourmet")

Television

*Michelle Maradie, 2002 (reality television star, "Big Brother")
*Jonathan Chase, 1997 (television star, "One on One")

Athletics

*Remy Hamilton, 1992 (football player, Los Angeles Avengers)
*Al Wallace, 1992 (football player, Buffalo Bills)
*Lance Frazier, 1998 (football player, Saskatchewan Roughriders)
*Jason Geathers, 1999 (football player, San Jose SaberCats)
*Matt Stone, 2001 (football player, Virginia Cavaliers)

Music

*Ryan Shore, 1992 (film composer, "Prime")

Military

*LTC Greg Gause, 2007 (Army Officer (non-promotable), U.S. Army)