Baton Rouge Magnet High School

Infobox US school
name = Baton Rouge Magnet High School

| image caption = The front of the school from the west side
motto = A Celebration of Attitudes... Creating Bright Lights and Determining Bright Futures for Our Students
established = Early 1890s
type = Free public
district = East Baton Rouge Parish School System
grades = 9-12
principal = Nanette Greer
city = Baton Rouge
state = Louisiana
country = USA
campus type = Downtown
campus size = convert|12|acre|km2|2|lk=on
enrollment = 1,420
faculty = 85
mascot = Bulldog
mascot

colors = Green and Gold color box|green color box|gold
homepage = http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/|

Baton Rouge Magnet High School is a magnet school in the East Baton Rouge Parish School system and was founded in the early 1890s. The current school building was built in 1925, [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/LA/East+Baton+Rouge/state.html Louisiana - East Baton Rouge County] on National Register of Historic Places] and was added to the national registry of historic places in Louisiana in 1986 (Building #86003130). The school requires students to pass enrollment standards and exceed graduation standards. As a result, nearly all graduating students attend college.Baton Rouge Magnet High School 2006-2007 Profile. 29 Aug. 2006. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/eduWEB2/1000054/docs/school_profile06-07.pdf.]

BRMHS History

The present campus was put into use in 1925 (although some sources cite 1927 or 1928 as the year the new building opened) when the main four-story building was built. Additional buildings were added and renovations made during the 1950s. By 1972, the present facilities were completed and air conditioning was installed. In the fall of 1976, BRMHS began operating under the new Magnet School Curriculum, and the Class of 1980 became the first graduating class to attend all four full years under the Magnet Program.Numerous district and state championships have been won as is attested by the vast collection of trophies on view in the lobby. Though the major sports of football, basketball, and baseball were discontinued in 1976, the individual and life-time sports have continued a tradition of winning district and state championships. State and district rally honors have increased as the number of National Merit Students among the student body.cn|date=December 2007

The 4th floor of BRMHS used to be home to the band and orchestra, but is now closed off to the student body. Elvis Presley played on the Baton Rouge High stage with Faron Young on May 2, 1955 [Elvis on the Road 1955 - 1956. Unknown Publication Date. The Pop History Dig. 17 Apr. 2008. http://www.mindstorminteractive.com/blog/?p=22.] [Elvis by Day. Unknown Publication Date. Random House. 17 Apr. 2008. http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/promos/elvisdaybyday/1955.html]

Academics and Awards

BRMHS was awarded the Blue Ribbon for Academic Excellence for the school years 1982-1983 and 2003-2004. [Blue Ribbon Schools. Unknown Publication Date. Blue Ribbon Schools. 17 Apr. 2008. http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.doc] [No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program - 2003 Schools 28 Oct. 2003. US Department of Eductaion. 17 Apr. 2008. http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2003-schools.pdf] The school offers 19 Advanced Placement classes, including Science Lab, with an additional American Government course speculated for 2008-2009. It has 20 honors courses, two dual enrollment courses through Baton Rouge Community College, and three foreign languages; French I-V, Spanish I-V, Latin I-V. Due to funds being cut by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board in the wake of Hurricane Katrinacn|date=April 2008, Japanese is no longer offered. Greek is offered sporadically and was last offered in 2006. Due to faculty shortage, since 2007 German and Russian are no longer available. Having a college-preparatory Magnet program, BRMHS employs a rigorous curriculum resulting in almost all of its graduates attending college. The school regularly has the most National Merit Scholarship Award recipients of the state. The 270 students graduating in 2006 were offered over $8 million in college scholarships, with almost all going on to enter college.

The school is self proclaimed to be the highest academically achieving school in the state of Louisiana.Fact|date=February 2007

It received a special award in 2004 from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., distinguishing it as one of five schools in the nation excelling in performing arts. It was one of two high schools to receive this award. On March 21, 2005, the school performed and displayed aspects of its arts and performances programs on one of the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stages.Fact|date=February 2007

BRMHS is one of the few high schools in the nation to offer two student run radio stations on campus. The original station, WBRH, was joined in 1997 by KBRH. They are both non-profit radio stations and are run with the financial support of the listening community. They publicly broadcast jazz on WBRH 90.3 FM, and classic R&B and local music on KBRH 1260 AM. [ [http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/radiostation/ Baton Rouge Magnet High Radio Station] ]

ports and athletics

The school's football team won state championships in 1944 & 1964 Louisiana High School Football Championships. Unknown Publication Date. Winnefield High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://winnfieldtigerfootball.com/id115.html.] before being disbanded in 1976.About our School. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/aboutourschool/100016.]

The school continues to have an athletics program. It has won the Southern Quality Ford Cup (previously Picadilly Cup) several timesFact|date=April 2008, despite not competing in football, basketball, or baseball.

The school has a small wrestling team.

The cross-country program was a dominant force in the 1980s and early-1990's as the men's team won it's 10th consecutive state title in 1988, setting a national record. The women's program won 6 state titles and placed numerous individual state champions.

The soccer team competes in district 5 of the 5A classification of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.Final Districting of LHSAA Schools. 30 Nov. 2006. LHSAA. 17 Apr. 2008. http://www.lhsaa.org/classification/FinalPlan20072008.doc] In addition, the school has an intramural sports program consisting of American flag football and basketball.Fact|date=April 2008

Visual and Performing Arts

The school has music programs, including an award winning choir, a jazz band and concert band, and a string orchestra.Choral Studies. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/schoolnews/departmental/100013101]

The Choral Department has been directed by Robbie Giroir, the organist at St. Joseph's Cathedral, for over twenty years. They host an annual candle-light Christmas Concert in downtown Baton Rouge. Giroir has taken the Festival Singers, a small vocal ensemble, to venues around the world.

Choral Studies

The BRMHS Department of Choral Studies offers choral singing, solo vocal literature, music theory, and the art of English handbell ringing. In 2007 the program had over seventy-five choristers.

The Honor Chorale is a principle choral ensemble of forty auditioned choristers. They perform in the Fall and Spring Concerts held in the Chapel of St.Alban's on the LSU Campus, and the annual formal Candlelight Concert traditionally held in St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Baton Rouge.

The Honor Chorale and Festival Singers have also performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The Festival Singers have toured the United Kingdom where solo choral performances were given at Winchester Cathedral, St.Paul's Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, and the World War II Memorial Chapel (Ely). In 2005, the Festival Singers performed a concert tour of Germany and Austria.

Through competitive auditions, many BRMHS choristers are chosen for All State and All District Honor Choirs. Under the tenure of Giroir, the Department of Choral Studies has sung over twenty major choral works by noted composers and has produced over fifteen major musical productions on the BRMHS stage.

Many BRMHS Choristers have gone on to professional performing and music education careers that include Broadway and University Professors.

Performing Arts

The BRMHS has the only student operated AM and FM radio stations in the country. The school was honored with a "Creative Ticket in the Arts" in 2005 by the Louisiana Division of the Arts and nominated for recognition on a national level.Governor's Arts Awards. 05 May 2005. Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourisim. 17 Apr. 2008. http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/gaa/gaaprogram2005.pdf.] Performing Arts Department. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/schoolnews/departmental/100011101]

In addition to the radio training program, the department offers multi-year courses in choral and instrumental music, drama, stagecraft, ballet, and television production.

The drama department produces several main stage and small stage plays each year. These include a Shakespearean play and a winter production in conjunction with the dance department. The later is performed each year for audiences of local elementary school children. The dance department also produces its own recitals, and many of the dancers perform with other dance companies.

The school offers instrumental courses including woodwind, jazz, and strings.

Piano Department

The piano department has a lab consisting of 17 full-size instruments and three 64-key Wurlitzer keyboards. Advanced students present two recitals each year. Students also perform for Nursing Homes, Retirement Centers, and other community functions. All styles of music are studied.Piano Department. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/schoolnews/departmental/100014101]

Visual Arts

Visual artists at BRMHS can take four years of art classes. Student artwork is displayed frequently at the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board office and various Baton Rouge galleries, and the department has its own show at the school each spring.Visual Arts. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/schoolnews/departmental/100012101]

In 2008, art club members are finishing a full-color mural on an outside wall of the school Performing Arts building.

Orchestra

The Orchestra at Baton Rouge High is an Award winning Program. They have participated in event in New York, Atlanta, Memphis, and Dallas.There are over 60 members and also performs with the Mckinley High Orchestra to form the BRM Orchestra.

Condition of physical plant

BRMHS has had problems with building damage from moisture, and the school system is struggling with funding as well as the mechanics of how to continue education while undergoing a major renovation. [ [http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/suburban/11959691.html Ideas include ‘moving’ Baton Rouge High to Lee High campus] by Charles Lussier, The Advocate, November 30, 2007] The district is planning the details of a major reconstruction project. [ [http://www.ebrschools.org/eduWEB1/1000437/docs/brmhs_proposed_site_plan.pdf Proposed site plan] ] Various articles in Baton Rouge print media have highlighted the various physical problems on the Baton Rouge High campus. [ [http://www.225batonrouge.com/news/2007/nov/29/my-old-school/ My Old School] 225 Baton Rouge] [ [http://www.businessreport.com/news/2008/jan/15/baton-rouges-best-high-school-edn1/ This is Baton Rouge’s best high school] Baton Rouge Business Report] The Baton Rouge High Alumni Association also has documented deteriorating conditions at the school. [http://www.brhsalumniassoc.org/photos.html Baton Rouge High Alumni Association, photo page] ]

Extracurricular Activities

Baton Rouge High School has many clubs for students to choose from. Clubs range from academic to social and clubs number at least 59. [School Clubs. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magnet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/schoolnews/clubs/] The following is a brief list of clubs at BRMHS:

* The academic clubs include:
** Beta Club, Chess Club, Computer Science Club, Epidemiology Club, Law Club, Literary Travel, Mechanical Tech, Media Tech, Mock Trial, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, and Science Club.

* The athletic organization clubs include:
** Dance Club, Frisbee, Gymnastics, Intramural Club, Woods and Waters, and SCUBA Club.

* The language and culture oriented clubs include:
** African Heritage, Arabic Club, Chinese Club, French Club, German Club, International Cultural Association (ICA), Junior Classical League, Muslim Student Association, Spanish Club, and Indian Student Association.

* The political clubs include:
** Amnesty International, Gay-Straight Alliance, Teenage Republicans, and Young Democrats.

* The service oriented clubs include:
** 4-H, Best Buddies, Cancer Club, Interact, Key Club, Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.

* The student organization clubs include:
** Hi-Y, Tri-Hi-Y, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and Student Government Association (SGA).

* Other clubs include:
**Anime Club, Film Club, One Way, the Piano Club, Potpourri (the literary publication produced by Baton Rouge High students), The Musician's Guild, and WBRH/Radio Club.

Some of the most active clubs include Beta Club, Frisbee, ICA, Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Classical League and Habitat for Humanity. ICA and African Heritage co-host a cultural show each spring which features presentations by students from various, diverse backgrounds sharing cultural experiences. Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Junior Classical League always attend their club's state convention, often sweeping many awards for their chapter.cn|date=April 2008

ICA, Hi-Y/Tri-Hi-Y, Frisbee, and Habitat for Humanity are the largest clubs at BRMHS.cn|date=April 2008

The Library

The library of Baton Rouge High boasts over 12,000 books and other volumes. The library and the adjoining lab have at least 45 computers, some are networked to a wireless network allowing access to laser printers, scanners, digital cameras and more.Baton Rouge Magnet High School Library. Unknown Publication Date. Baton Rouge Magenet High School. 17 Apr. 2008. http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/library/.]

Traditions

Rivalries

Istrouma High School (until 1976 , the rivalry was renewed in 2007)

:
Grace King High School
McKinley Senior High School
Caddo Magnet High School
Ben Franklin High School
Lafayette High School (Louisiana)

pirit Day

On one of the first Fridays after school begins, BRMHS hosts a "Spirit Day" where each class represents their school spirit by wearing green and gold. Seniors traditionally wear completely outrageous costumes, including capes, Mitres, wigs, pom-poms, and matching shirts. A Spirit Assembly is held where each class is mocked by every other class. The freshmen are made fun of, in good taste, and the seniors are mocked by underclassmen.Fact|date=April 2008

Fall Fair

During the week leading up to Halloween, BRMHS has a different costume theme for each day of the week. In the past, there has been a "Toga Day", a "Decades Day", and a "Twin/Triplets/Duos/Famous Couples Day", a "Pirates Vs. Ninjas Day" and a "Superheroes Day".Fact|date=April 2008 The theme is changed each year by the Student Government Association. The last day of Fall Fair week is always "Masquerade Day", where everyone wears whatever costume they so choose. On this day, students are dismissed from class early, and go out to enjoy Fall Fair on the soccer field and track. School clubs are allowed to register booths, and they come up with inventive ways to raise money for their club. German Club traditionally holds a "German Disco", while the Junior Classical League has held "Gladiator Fights" with pool noodles and cardboard shields. Many of the culture clubs sell ethnic foods, such as fajitas, pita bread, and eggrolls.Fact|date=April 2008

Dances

Annual dances include: Get Acquainted, Turkey Jam, Winter Formal, and Prom.Fact|date=April 2008

Alma mater

"For Baton Rouge High we raise our cry;"
"for the school we all adore"
"We will raise our standards high"
"Till known from shore to shore -"
"Then we'll fight! Fight! Fight!"
"With all our might till victory's in sight"
"Then we'll raise our banners high"
"For dear old Baton Rouge High"

Notable Alumni

*Bobby Jindal: former U.S. Congressman and current Louisiana Governor [ [http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&navID=38&cpID=1&cfmID=0&catID=0 Bobby Jindal biography] ]
*Jay Dardenne: Longtime State Senator and Current Louisiana Secretary of State
*Karey Kirkpatrick: Screen writer of such films as Chicken Run, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Over the Hedge.
*Jim Taylor: Hall of Fame Football Player
*Johnny Ramistella "b.k.a." Johnny Rivers: 1950's & 60's rock & roll musician
*Jimmy Clanton: 1950's & 60's swamp pop and R&B musician
*Bob Pettit: Hall of Fame Basketball Player

References

External links

* [http://brmhs.ebrschools.org/ Official Baton Rouge Magnet High School site]