Ridgewood High School (Florida)

Infobox Secondary school

name = Ridgewood High School
motto = "Pride of Pasco"
established = 1978
type = Public
locale = Urban Fringe of Large City
grades = 9-12
head_name = Principal
principal = Randall Koenigsfeld
founder = Wendell L. Krinn
city = New Port Richey
state = Florida
country = United States
district = Pasco County
students = 1788
faculty = 105
accreditation = SACS
colors = Orange and Blue
yearbook = Rampage
newspaper = Rams Horn
mascot = Rocky the Ram
testname = SAT
testaverage = 473 verbal
480 math
website = http://rhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/

Ridgewood High School is a four-year public high school serving residential suburbs in New Port Richey, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. It is part of the Pasco County Public School System in Pasco County, Florida. The school was founded in 1978 as a junior high school with the intent of it becoming the third high school in western Pasco County.

History

The Pasco County School Board approved creation of a new Junior High School in the Ridgewood area of New Port Richey in response to population growth in the area during the 1970s, with the expectation that the school would ultimately become West Pasco's third high school. The school was built for $3.2 million and opened in 1978. Wendell L. Krinn became the first principal of the school. [http://rhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/School_Info/school_history/history_home.html The Written History and Story of Ridgewood High School] , accessed January 5, 2007]

Ridgewood officially opened up as a high school in 1983 with a freshman class, adding one grade per each year, until it had a full four-year complement in the 1985-1986 school year, which was the first graduating class. As part of the transition to a high school, Ridgewood underwent a $1.6 million renovation project, which included a gym added to the back of the main building, a stadium built by the football field, as well as a new weight room and tennis courts.

After winning the "Pride of Pasco" academic award, in 1988, the title stuck as the nickname of the school.Ridgewood High School excelled during this period, leading the county in HSC Test scores four consecutive years under the leadership of Krinn.

The school endured several high-profile deaths between 1999 and 2000. William Hulton, a popular assistant principal since 1982, died October 10, 1999 of a heart attack. Later, on Jan. 19th 2000, sixteen year-old Teddy Niziol was accidentally shot to death in the school parking lot. It was the first fatal shooting ever in Pasco County history. Eric Przybyszewski suffered a drug overdose and died on September 9. Sophomore Ashley Morrison passed away as a result of encephalitis.

In 1998, Dr. Arthur O'Donnell became the second principal in Ridgewood's history after transferring from Hudson High School. In 2003, he retired after working 35 years in the Pasco County School system. Randall Koenigsfeld succeeded O'Donnell as Principal of Ridgewood High, a position he still holds today.

chool symbols

During the establishment of the school in the late 1970’s, the student body at Ridgewood voted to make the official nickname and logo the Ram, "which symbolizes the endless determination of our spirit to strive for high standards in every aspect within our institution." There was actually a real ram brought in as a mascot for sporting events who would soon be replaced by the present day Reggie the Ram.” The colors orange and blue were adopted, matching those of the University of Florida Gators.

Academics

Ridgewood High School has a graduation rate of 80%, well exceeding the Pasco County average of 72% and state of Florida average at 68%. RHS's dropout rate is 2.2%, which is consistently lower than both the district and state averages. The school has 105 certified faculty members, 29 of which with Masters or post-Masters degrees, and 2 with Doctorates. 51% of the Ridgewood faculty has at least a decade of experience in the teaching field, while 30 teachers at the school have more than 25 years of teaching experience.

RHS curriculum offers 14 classes of Advanced Placement, an honors program, and countless Dual-Enrollment options due to the incredibly close proximity to Pasco-Hernando Community College. Likewise, Marchman Technical Education Center resides next door to Ridgewood High giving students even more options. Ridgewood is the pilot school for a new wellness program in Pasco County, attempting to improve and teach good habits for now and in the future. 80% of Ridgewood High School students move on to post-secondary education.

In 2006, Ridgewood High School won the state championship of the Odyssey of the Mind competition, representing the state of Florida against the world. [http://www.odysseyofthemind.org/competitions/wf_competition_schedules.php?sch_event_ID=800&sch_problem=5&sch_div=3&show_breaks=1] [Odyssey of the Mind Results 2006] , accessed July 1, 2007]

Learning communities

In 1997, Ridgewood High School started implementing the learning community concept, which has been expanded over the years to the current four learning communities at Ridgewood High School. [http://rhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/School_Info/school_profile_2004.pdf Profile for Ridgewood High School: Improvement and Self Study Report for Accreditation] , accessed January 11, 2007]
*The Academy of Business and Law (ABLE) focuses on business and law through the study of business and law courses as part of an enhanced core curriculum.
*Communication and the Arts Standing Together (CAST) program educates students in the communications field, and prepares them for future careers in the industry through study of communication and the arts.
*The Health Occupational and Technological Services (HOTS) program focuses on hands-on science courses, with attention to developing critical-thinking skills. Students address the influence of science on society. Guest speakers from related fields participate in the process.
*The Graduation Enhancement Program (GEP) helps "at risk" students improve their academic achievement, vocational skills and community involvement to connect students to the world at large.

=Alma Mater= :"To Her name we pledge our honor. :"In joyous song we raise :"Ridgewood our Alma Mater. :"Thy glorious name we praise. :"Where sea and tide are rolling, :"Forever will our voices ring :"Her deeds we proudly sing.:"In thy beauty and majesty :"Beneath the orange and blue victorious, :"Her name shall never die. :"There's no other name so glorious:"All hail, Ridgewood High.

Athletics

RHS won two state titles in Cross Country under then Coach Glenn Cable in 1991 [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/50678634.html?dids=50678634:50678634&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Nov+25%2C+1991&author=TIM+BUCKLEY&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=1&desc=The+kings+of+cross+country The kings of cross country] , "St. Petersburg Times", November 25, 1991] and 1999. [ [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_ccb.pdf Boys Cross Country 2006-07 Championship Records] , Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Ridgewood won the Class 3A state title in Fast-Pitch Softball in 1992, led by coach Marlyn Bavetta, defeating Berkeley Preparatory School by a score of 7-6. [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/54235020.html?dids=54235020:54235020&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+10%2C+1992&author=JIM+CARSON&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=4.4.4&desc=Ridgewood+wouldn%27t+be+denied+Series%3A+SOFTBALL Ridgewood wouldn't be denied Series: SOFTBALL] , "St. Petersburg Times" by Jim Carson, May 10, 1992] [ [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_sb.pdf Softball 2005-06 Championship Records] , Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Ridgewood achieved success in both sports during the 1990s with victories at both the district and conference level.

Ridgewood's football team has experienced a measure of success in the last few years after spending over a decade near or at the bottom of the district standings. The Rams made their first playoff appearance in 2002 under coach Troy Cornwell, falling to Belleview High School by a score of 48-6 in the first round of the Class 4A tournament. [ [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_fb.pdf Football 2006-07 Championship Records] , Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 8, 2007] In 2007, the Rams experienced the best season in school history under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Taylor. Led by star running back Byronell Arline, the Rams finished 9-1 overall and 4-1 in Class 4A District 8. [ [http://preps.tampabay.com/stats/index.shtml?Sport=1&site=default&tpl=team&SearchType=Teams&Sport=1&TeamID=122&ConferenceID=&SearchDate=%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%0909%2F03%2F07&SearchDateEnd=%09%09%09%0909%2F03%2F07 Ridgewood Rams 2007 team page on TampaBay.com] ] Only a late season loss to eventual champion Land O' Lakes prevented the Rams from winning the first District championship in school history. [ [http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/nov/03/sp-lol-rallies-for-title/?sports-prepsports LOL Rallies for Title, Tampa Tribune, Nov. 3 2007] ] Arline would set the North Suncoast record for most rushing yards in a single season by collecting 2,188 yards in ten regular season games; the previous record was set by Dwayne Mobley of Hernando High School in 1991. [ [http://blogs.tampabay.com/preps/2007/11/running-to-a-re.html Arline crowned top runner, TampaBay.com blog, Nov. 9 2007] ] Ridgewood qualified for the playoffs for the second time in six years, but fell in the first round to Seabreeze High School of Daytona Beach by the score of 43-3. [ [http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/17/Sports/Daytona_Beach_Seabree.shtml Daytona Beach Seabreeze 43, Ridgewood 3, St. Petersburg Times, Nov. 17, 2007] ]

Gary Anders was hired in 1987 to coach the Ridgewood boys basketball team and serve as athletic director. The basketball program would win several conference titles under Anders and back-to-back district titles in the mid-1990s and again achieving the feat in 2003 and 2004. [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/548751911.html?dids=548751911:548751911&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+22%2C+2004&author=GREG+AUMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=15.C&desc=Ridgewood+secures+consecutive+titles+Series%3A+4A Ridgewood secures consecutive titles Series: 4A] , "St. Petersburg Times" by Greg Auman, February 2, 2004] Ridgewood won another conference title in 2006. Anders won his 400th basketball game in 2003 [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/291504901.html?dids=291504901:291504901&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+20%2C+2003&author=JAMAL+THALJI&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=8.C&desc=Celebration+can+wait%2C+Anders%27+Rams+still+busy+Series%3A+BOYS+BASKETBALL+DISTRICT+TOURNAMENTS Celebration can wait, Anders' Rams still busy Series: BOYS BASKETBALL DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS] , "St. Petersburg Times" by Jamal Thalji, February 20, 2003] and made the Elite 8 in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) basketball tournament. [ [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_bbb.pdf Boys Basketball 2006-07 Championship Records] , Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Girls basketball advanced into the state playoffs, winning several district and conference titles and moving on to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2004. [ [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_bbg.pdf Girls Basketball 2006-07 Championship Records] , Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007]

Former Assistant Principal and teacher Larry Beets was hired as head baseball coach, and after winning back to back conference championships in 1986 and 1987, won district titles in 1990 and 1991, and a Regional Championship in 1991 and 1998. From 2003-2005, the team won three straight district championships capped off in 2006 with six consecutive playoff appearances. The Rams would also make the 2003 State Championship game, falling to Bishop Kenny High School by a score of 13-0 in the Class 4A finals at Legends Field in Tampa, Florida. [ [http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_ba.pdf Baseball 2005-06 Championship Records] , Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Larry Beets was recognized by the "St. Petersburg Times" as "Coach of the Year" for his accomplishments with a team that had less "firepower" than its competitors yet managed to pull off a major upset in the district final. [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/1043578931.html?dids=1043578931:1043578931&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+28%2C+2006&author=&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=9&desc=COACH+OF+THE+YEAR COACH OF THE YEAR] , "St. Petersburg Times", May 28, 2006]

Competing in a group of 61 high schools in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, participating in 19 different sports, Ridgewood High School was recognized in 1992 as a winner of the fourth annual St. Petersburg Times All-Sports Championship, paced by state titles in boys cross country and softball. [ [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/54237687.html?dids=54237687:54237687&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+17%2C+1992&author=TIM+LOONEY&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=1.C&desc=Ridgewood%2C+Berkeley+share+all-sports+crown Ridgewood, Berkeley share all-sports crown] , "St. Petersburg Times" by Tim Looney, May 17, 1992]

Notable alumni

*Adamm Oliver (Class of 2003), All-ACC Defensive End for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets [ [http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oliver_adamm00.htmll Adamm Oliver] , Georgia Tech, July 1, 2007.]
*Mike Rabelo (Class of 1998), Major League Baseball catcher, currently with the Florida Marlins [ http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/292723 Player page on CBS Sportsline.com.]
*Julie Stenger (Class of 1986), the first woman from Pasco County to win an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point).
*Robert Jacob Tysz (Class of 1986), Program Specialist, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

References

External links

* [http://rhs.pasco.k12.fl.us Ridgewood High School website]
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&SchoolID=120153001590&ID=120153001590 Data for the Ridgewood Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://fivay.org/ridgewood_high_school.html History of Education in Pasco County - Ridgewood High School]