Tarpon Springs High School

Tarpon Springs High School, also known as TSHS is a Public High School in Pinellas County, Florida. The school is known most for its football, music conservatory, the culinary department, and the small learning communities.

pecial Programs

The school offers several specialized programs, one of which is the Peer Connection Program, led by Mrs. Bernitt, a preacher.

Television and Film Production

The students of Tarpon High have a tradition of sweeping the local film festivals and multimedia awards nearly every year.

Culinary

The school is currently adding a new $5 million dollar culinary arts building to the School's campus. [ [http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/19/Neighborhoodtimes/Reading__writing__and.shtml Neighborhoodtimes: Reading, writing and ... restauranting ] ]

mall Learning Communities

In the 2006-2007 school year, the school began a new program utilizing Small Learning Communities, or known colloquially as "SLC's". The program has been criticized by some arguing that the program is useless, while others say that it will offer a better means of education for students by allowing them to focus on their interests.

Leadership and Music Conservatory

The Tarpon Springs High School [http://www.tarponspringsband.com Leadership and Music Conservatory] is a nationally recognized pilot program that provides an integrated, seamless curriculum in academics, instrumental music, technology, and leadership skills. The Conservatory program strives for excellence within each of its members and in every aspect of its curriculum.

The program is known across the United States for its premiere programs and musical achievements, a remarkable accomplishment for this Bands of America Class AA program. The marching band program typically totals about 120 members, including percussion, color guard and musicians.

The Marching Band shows for the past 2 years have been extremely meaningful. The 2005 show was "Pathways". The Pathways show focused on how you should live your life in your own pathway. There are many pathways including greed, courage and innovation and all of these are created in the show. The 2006 show was "Every Passion Has Its Destiny" which was performed on a running track placed on the field. The message of the show was that you may start out on your own but in the end teamwork is what really makes life great. The program features an award winning Color/Winter Guard and Jazz Ensemble. The primary focus areas of the program are academic achievement, leadership development, technology, and the performing arts.

Extracurricular Activities

The school also includes a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Clubs

The school currently has more than 20 clubs, includingAcademic Team, Art Club, Crime Watch, DCT, Debate/Model UN, Drama Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Farmers of America, French Club, Future Educators of America, Greek Club, Health Occupations Students Of America, Interact, Japanese Club, Key Club, Latin Club, Maroon Mob, Multicultural Club, National Honor Society, Peer Connectors, Physics Club, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, Wild Side and Yearbook. [cite web| title = Tarpon Springs High School Clubs - Vivisection| url = http://www.tshs.pinellas.k12.fl.us/new/index.asp| accessdate = 2006-09-09 ]

Band

Tarpon High is especially proud of its band program, which is a part of the [http://www.tarponspringsband.com Leadership and Music Conservatory] at the school. Many of the band students practice for more than ten hours on Saturdays and are very committed to the program. Band awards include:

- 2006 Bands of America Grand NationalsRCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana5 time - AA National Champions Most Outstanding Music (Class AA)Most Outstanding Visual (Class AA)Most Outstanding General Effect (Class AA) Grand National Finalist 8 Consecutive appearances

- 2006 Bands Of America Atlanta Regional Olympic Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.Grand ChampionsAA Division - 1st PlaceMost Outstanding Music (Class AA)Most Outstanding Visual (Finals &Class AA)Most Outstanding General Effect (Finals & Class AA)

- 2006 Bands Of AmericaFlorida RegionalTropicana Dome, St. PetersburgGrand Champions AA Division - 1st PlaceMost Outstanding Music (Finals & Class AA)Most Outstanding Visual (Finals & Class AA)Most Outstanding General Effect (Finals & Class AA)

- 2006 Seminole Sound SpectacularGrand Champions1st Place Gold DivisionBest Color Guard AuxiliaryBest Drum MajorBest WoodwindsBest Brass

- 2006 Florida Bandmasters District Marching Band FestivalStraight Superiors 13 Consecutive Years 2007 FBA District Jazz FestivalJazz Ensemble I Straight SuperiorsJazz Ensemble II Straight Superiors

- 2007 FBA Solo and Ensemble Festival 100+ Superior MedalsWinter Guard Straight Superiors

- 2007 WGI West Palm Beach RegionalWinter Guard Scholastic World Class FinalistConcert Percussion Ensemble 1st Place

- 2007 FBA District Concert FestivalWind Ensemble I Straight Superiors13 Consecutive years

- 2007 FBA District Concert FestivalWind Ensemble II Superior RatingOnly 2nd Ensemble to receive Superior rating in the entire district

- 2007 WGI Tampa RegionalWinter Guard Scholastic World Class Finalist

- 2007 North Texas State University Jazz FestivalDallas, TexasOnly Jazz Ensemble from Florida invited to perform

- 2007 John F. Kennedy Performing Arts CenterNational Band and Orchestra Festival, Washington DCGold Rating (One of 5 Scholastic Wind Ensembles selected nationally to perform at the Kennedy Center)

- Additional Achievements:One of 7 high school symphonic bands in the nation to perform at The National Band Festival in Carnegie Hall, New York City in 2005 and 2001. One of 6 symphonic bands in the nation to perform at The 2003 San Francisco International Wind Festival San Francisco, California. One of 14 symphonic bands selected to perform at The 2001 National Concert Band Festival Indianapolis, Indiana. The Marching Band is the Bands of America Grand Nationals Marching Band Division AA National Champion for 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006 at the RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jazz Ensemble is the 2002 and 2005 Lakeside Jazz Festival Grand Champions and has achieved 12 years of consecutive straight Superior ratings at The Florida Bandmasters Association district and state Jazz Festival. The Winter Guard/Dance Ensemble are the Winter Guard International World Championship Finalists for 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. The Winter Guard is the only scholastic World Class Winter Guard in the history of Pinellas County to make the Finals at the World Championship in Dayton, Ohio.

References