Alvin C. York Institute

Infobox school
name = Alvin C. York Institute


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location =
streetaddress = 701 North Main Street
region =
city = Jamestown
state = Tennessee
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zipcode = 38556
country = USA
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oversight = Tennessee Department of Education
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superintendent = Phil Brannon
trustee =
founder = Alvin C. York
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dean = Jason Tompkins
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staff = ~70
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schooltype = public high school
fundingtype = State
type = high school
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enrollment = ~800
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age range =
grades = 9-12
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campus = rural
campus size = convert|400|acre|ha
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Hours_in_Day = 7
athletics = Football, Basketball, Baseball, Bowling, JROTC, Softball, Track...etc
conference =
slogan = Home of the Dragons
song =
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motto = "Prepare and Excel"
accreditation = Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
rival =
mascot = Dragon
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school_colours = Purple and Gold
yearbook = Mountaineer
publication =
newspaper = Pine Needles
opened =
established = 1926
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free_label1 = Dedication:
free_text1 = "To the end that my people of Pall Mall and of Fentress County and the boys and girls of this mountainous section may enjoy the liberating influences and educational advantages which were denied me, I dedicate this institution and my life to its perpetuation, and seek from the American people support in keeping with the great need."
-- Sgt. Alvin C. York
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homepage = http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/

Alvin C. York Institute, also known as Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute or York Institute, is a public high school in Jamestown, Tennessee, founded as a private agricultural school in 1926 by World War I hero Alvin York and later transferred to the state of Tennessee in 1937, which continues to operate it as a public high school.

History

Alvin C. York established the school that carries his name during the 1920s in the county seat of his home county of Fentress. His goal was to give rural children the chance to obtain a high school education. Beginning in 1919 he toured the United States raising funds for the school, using his status as a war hero to get public attention and raising a total of $10,000. [http://www.tennesseepreservationtrust.org/ten Ten in Tennessee Endangered List] , Tennessee Preservation Trust website (accessed January 18, 2008)] [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,756113,00.html Fentress Feud] , "Time magazine", May 25, 1936] He also solicited and received funds from the state legislature, which contributed $50,000, and from Fentress County, which pledged $50,000. Classes began in 1929 and the school operated privately until 1937, [http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/History.html History] , York Institute website (accessed January 18, 2008)] when financial pressures related to the Great Depression led York to transfer the school to the state of Tennessee, which continues to operate it as a public school.

Extracurricular activities and clubs

The near 800 students at York Institute involve themselves in many extracurricular clubs and organizations, including:

* Chorus * Drama * Journalism * Art * Student Council * JROTC * Family Carrer Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) * Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) * Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) * Student Christian Club * Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

* Scholars' Bowl * Future Farmers of America (FFA) * Skills USA * Envirothon * Pep Club * Math Club * English Club * Spanish Club * BETA Club * Tennessee Scholars * Interact Club

Curriculum

The school enrolls students in grades 9 through 12. It operates on a block schedule, in which the fall and spring semesters are each divided into four blocks, and students take four classes each semester. York also offers vocational programs including agriculture, automotive technology, residential construction technology, metal technology, nursing, accounting, and information management systems.

York Institute was one of nine Tennessee school districts to participate in the Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership, funded by the National Science Foundation with the goal enhancing science, mathematics and technology education in Appalachian region schools with low socioeconomic status and student achievement. [ [http://appalachian.mspnet.org/ Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership] website (accessed January 18, 2008)]

Campus

The school sits on a campus of over 400 acres that is designated as a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wildlife management area and includes a working farm where students participate in managing a herd of Limousin cattle. [http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/programs.htm Promising Programs] , York Institute website (accessed January 18, 2008)] Five ponds on the campus are used for livestock watering, sport fishing, and waterfowl feeding and nesting.

Campus buildings currently in use include the Main Administration Building (c. 1980), Social Sciences Building (a later addition to the original school), Science Building, Alvin C. York JROTC Building (c. 1940s), and Fentress County Vocational Training Center (c. 1970s).Fact|date=February 2008

The Jamestown Community Center and Jamestown Community Park are located near the school on York Institute land. [http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/Campus.html Campus] , York Institute website (accessed January 18, 2008)]

The original two-story brick administration building, built in 1928, is the centerpiece of the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school building was replaced with a new building in the 1980s and subsequently has deteriorated.In 2005 the Tennessee Preservation Trust listed it on its yearly list of the state's "most endangered" historic sites.

In January 2008 the Tennessee Department of Education proposed that it be demolished, and estimated the cost of demolition at $3.6 million, while renovation would cost $3.7 million. [ [http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=53605 Historic Jamestown school could be leveled] , Stoney Sharp, WBIR-TV, 1/17/2008] Due to safety concerns, state officials blocked off access to the old building and all areas within 50 feet of the walls, thus preventing the use of four classrooms in the school's current main building, which is adjacent to the original building. [ [http://www.herald-citizen.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=69D9D90C-19B9-E2E2-6739F4A03DB5F344 Original Alvin C. York Institute to be torn down] , by Liz Engel, "Herald-Citizen" newspaper (Cookeville, Tennessee), January 11, 2008] On July 15, 2008 an agreement was reached between the State building and education departments and the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation. The Foundation has agreed to oversee and fund the restoration of the historic structure. Once stabilized and restored, the building will once again house students and staff and will be a vital part of the campus.

Honors and awards

In 1989 York Institute was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. [http://ucbjournal.com/?p=225 Fentress County Spotlight] , by Ruble Upchurch, "Upper Cumberland Business Journal", October 11, 2007] [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf Schools Recognized, 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002] , U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program] In 1992 it was one of 140 public secondary schools recognized by "Redbook magazine" as "America's Best Schools." It was a recipient of a Tennessee Department of Education 2006 Best Practices in Character Education Merit Award.Fact|date=August 2008

Notable alumni

*Roger Crouch, astronaut [http://www.jamestowntn.org/Schools.htm Fentress County Schools] , Fentress County Chamber of Commerce website (accessed January 18, 2008)]
*Lincoln Davis, U.S. Congressman

References

External links

* [http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/ York Institute website]
*" [http://www.sgtyork.org/legacyindistress.html York Institute—A Legacy in Distress] " by Dr. Michael E. Birdwell