Spring Valley High School (South Carolina)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Spring Valley High School|
type = Secondary, College Prep
affiliation = Public
grades = 9–12
city = Columbia
state = South Carolina
country = USA
accreditation = South Carolina Deparmtent of Education and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
established = 1970
principal = Greg Owings
enrollment = Approx. 1920
colors = Green and Gold
mascot = Vikings
website = [http://www.richland2.org/schools/svh/ Spring Valley High School (official)]
newspaper = "The Viking Shield"
yearbook = "Saga"
oversight = Richland County School District Two
campus = Suburban

Spring Valley High School is located in Northeast Columbia, South Carolina and is operated by the Richland County School District Two. Originally opened in the fall of 1970, it was the sole high school operating in Richland School District Two, replacing Dentsville High School.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of Spring Valley High School to prepare all students for post-secondary education and life-long learning through a challenging, interactive, academic curriculum that stresses opportunities to explore a career area of interest.

History

Originally opened in the fall of 1970, it was the sole high school operating in Richland School District Two, replacing Dentsville High School. New students and families entering the halls of Spring Valley High School for the first time often find themselves walking in circles due to the school's unique design. The main building is divided into octagonal 'pods', each containing 8 chevron-shaped classrooms. This design was born out of the open classroom concept that was popular during the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the school's early days, classrooms within each pod had no walls, allowing students to participate in any one of several classes occurring at one time. Ultimately this did not prove successful, and walls were later added to the classroom pods by the early 1980's. In mid-January 2008, a new three story building replaced the pods as the new school.

Spring Valley Viking Band

The Spring Valley Viking Band is the Marching Band for Spring Valley High School. The first band took the field in 1971, a year after the school's opening. The band has won 6 South Carolina Band Directors Association 4-A State Marching Championships. They won five straight from 1974 to 1978 and won their sixth in 1983. The band also won three national titles, the De Soto National Title in 1974 and Cherry Blossom National Title in both 1975 and 1978. In 1984 a festival form state competition was adapted so there was no state champion. This fom was abandoned the next year when the band took second place. The band also won the lower state championship in 1988. In 2007, the band took the best music score in class 4-A at the Lowcountry Invitaional at Wando High School and received a superior at every competition. The band is united through generations by its mascot, Rudi.

Discovery Program

The Discovery magnet program is designed for talented students and focuses on science and math, first founded in 1995. These courses are honors level and required for all members of the Discovery program. All Discovery members are required to complete two college-level research projects during their sophomore and junior year. The completion of at least four AP courses (one math, one science, two others) is required for graduation from the Discovery program.

*Physical Science
*Science Seminar
*Pre-Research
*Algebra 2
*Biology
*Research I
*Anatomy & Physiology
*Research II
*Chemistry
*Physics

Activities

Athletics

Spring Valley fields teams in the following sports:

*Football
*Volleyball
*Tennis
*Golf
*Cross Country
*Soccer
*Basketball
*Wrestling
*Bowling
*Swimming
*Softball
*Baseball
*Track & Field
*Cheerleading

Clubs

Spring Valley has over 60 student-operated clubs. Their focuses are generally academic, charitable, and common interest. These clubs currently include:

* Art Club
* Beta Club
* Chess Club
* Computer Club
* Debate
* Drama
* FBLA
* Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
* French National Honor Society
* HOSA
* International Club
* Key Club
* Math Team
* National Conservation Society (NCS)
* National Honor Society (NHS)
* Rubik's Cube Club
* Rugby Club
* Scientific Analysis Club
* Spanish National Honor Society
* Student Council Association (SCA)
* [http://www.menc.org/information/trim/main_trim.html Tri-M Music Honor Society]
* TSA ( Technology Students Association)
* Varsity Quiz Bowl
* Video Gamers

Notable Alumni

* Peter Boulware - former NFL linebacker for Baltimore Ravens
* Michael Boulware - NFL defensive back for Houston Texans
* Willie Williams - former NFL defensvie back for Pittsburgh Steelers
* Ainsley Earhardt - Fox News Channel anchor
* Kate Niehaus - 12-time state champion
* Danielle Howle - regionally respected folk/rock songwriter

Charitable Events

Winter Days

Winter Days is held annually from the end of November to the first couple of weeks of December. Students have that time to collect as many cans of food, toys, and articles of denim, as much money, and homeless outreach bags as possible. At the end of the month, all the goods are collected and donated to local agencies in Columbia.

Along with the collections, students, classes, and organizations sponsor over 150 foster children for their Christmas wish lists. These groups all buy teddy bears for their foster children and walk them around the gym in the Winter Days assembly, which is held at the end of the Winter Days collection.

External links

* [http://www.richland2.org/schools/svh/ Spring Valley High School] (official site)

References