Charlotte High School (Punta Gorda, Florida)

This article is about the educational facility in Punta Gorda, Florida. For the similarily named school in Port Charlotte, see Port Charlotte High School.

Charlotte High School
Arial image of Charlotte High School Motto: Where tradition leads to the future.[citation needed]
Location
1250 Cooper Street Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
Information
Type	Free public secondary
Established	1926
Principal	Barney Duffy
Grades	9–12
Number of students	1,977 (as of 2009-10)[1]
Campus size	325,000 square feet (30,200 m2)[2]
Color(s)	Blue and gold
Mascot	Fighting Tarpons
Website	http://chs.ccps.k12.fl.us/
Charlotte High School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Main building
Coordinates:	26°55′39.77″N 82°2′22.02″W / 26.9277139°N 82.03945°W / 26.9277139; -82.03945Coordinates: 26°55′39.77″N 82°2′22.02″W / 26.9277139°N 82.03945°W / 26.9277139; -82.03945
Architectural style:	Masonry Vernacular with Neo-Classical elements[4]
Governing body:	Charlotte County Public Schools
NRHP Reference#:	90001796[3]
Added to NRHP:	December 12, 1990

Charlotte High School is a historic public high school in Punta Gorda, Florida, United States serving ninth through twelfth grade students. The school is part of the Charlotte County Public Schools district, with admission based primarily on the locations of students' homes.^[5] Established in 1926, Charlotte High is located at 1250 Cooper Street. The school carries the slogan of "Charlotte County's First and Finest" since it remained the only high school in Charlotte County, Florida for many years^[6] until its top rival schools, Port Charlotte High School and Lemon Bay High School, respectively, were built. With 1,977 students, Charlotte High School is the second largest high school in Charlotte County by student population.^[7] On December 12, 1990, its main three-story building was added to the United States' National Register of Historic Places.^[3] The second phase of the school's rebuild opened in August 2009, housing all 9th and 10th graders in their academies. In January 2010, the 11th and 12th grade students moved into their academy in the existing renovated 2-story building. In August 2010, the remaining elective classes found their home on the fully complete Charlotte High School campus.

History

Punta Gorda Grammar and High School had an enrollment of 150 students when it opened in 1928. Construction of a new school on Taylor Street began in 1911 due to overcrowding issues. However, by 1926 after the construction of the first bridge to cross Charlotte Harbor, busing increased Punta Gorda's enrollment to 1,000 which in turn lead to the construction of Charlotte High School.^[8]

Its distinctive mascot, the fighting tarpon wearing its boxing gloves, was designed in 1959. The class of 1959 claim to have introduced the fighting tarpon emblem.^[9]

Hurricane Charley and its aftermath

Hurricane Charley hit the Punta Gorda area at the beginning of the school year on August 13, 2004 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing major damage to the school. After seventeen days of hiatus, the students attended Port Charlotte High School during the 12:45 - 6 p.m. afternoon shift^[10] for most of the 2004-2005 school year. Afterward, students were moved back on campus to portable classrooms.^[11] Charlotte High made up one of six schools in the county destroyed or heavily damaged;^[12] however, Champ's Cafe (the cafeteria), one of the gyms and the auditorium, the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, remained intact.

Despite its sustaining severe damage, it was decided to try to save the three-story main building, a historic landmark. The plan incorporated this building to have its entire interior to be redone, but its facade will remain and the rest of the campus will be built around its neoclassical style. A ceremony took place in late May 2007 for the groundbreaking of the aforementioned building and the new facility that will group up to 1,800 students by class and provide a courtyard inside the linked structures. Harvard Jolly is the architectural firm working on the project.^[11]

The History Channel's inaugural Save Our History Grant was awarded in 2005 to the Charlotte County Historical Society, in partnership with high school students from Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High School. Putting aside academic and athletic rivalry, the students collaborated to preserve their community's experience through oral history.^[13]

Extra curricular activities

Charlotte High School has a Student Government Association, Interact Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Scholars' Club, SAPS Club, School Spirit Club (known as the "Blue Crew"), Bowling Club, Future Educators of America, Future Farmers of America, Letterman's Club, Mock Trial Team, School Newspaper, Student Fitness Club, Academic Team, Art Club, DCT Club, Foreign Language Club, Forum Club, Hospitality Club, Spirit Shop, Model United Nations, Mu Alpha Theta Club, NJROTC Unit, Drama Club, USAD Club, WCHS (TV production), Yearbook Club, Marching Band, and Chorus.^[14] The school also has a Cheerleading Team (varsity, junior varsity), Cross Country Team (boys and girls separated), Football team (varsity and junior varsity), golf team (boys and girls separated), swimming/diving team, basketball team (varsity, junior varsity, and freshman; boys and girls separated), soccer team (varsity; boys and girls separated), weightlifting team (boys and girls separated), wrestling team (varsity and junior varsity), baseball team (varsity and junior varsity), softball team (varsity and junior varsity), tennis team (boys and girls separated), and track team (boys and girls separated).^[15]

Academics

The school's curriculum is greatly based on the Sunshine State Standards. CHS received and "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2009-2010 school year. The school received a "D" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 school years. The school has received ratings ranging from "B" to "D" from 1999 to 2008. This rating is based on the school's overall performance on the FCAT.^[16]

Notable people

• Alumni
  • Jeff Corsaletti — professional baseball player who currently plays for the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.^[17]
  • Matthew LaPorta — major league first baseman for the Cleveland Indians,^[18] 2008 Beijing Olympics participant.^[19]
  • Burton Lawless — former football guard who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League from 1975 through 1979.^[20] Listed as one of the "100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years" for Florida High School Football.^[21]
  • Tommy Murphy — an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.^[22]

References

1. ^ "2006/2007 Demographic Makeup By School of Attendance". Your Charlotte County Public Schools. Archived from the original on 2007-02-08. http://web.archive.org/web/20070208220551/http://www.ccps.k12.fl.us/AboutUs.cfm?PageID=DemoBySchool. Retrieved 2007-07-18. 
2. ^ Dale, Kevin (2007-05-24). "A new day for Charlotte High". Herald Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/NEWS/705240438. Retrieved 2007-12-30. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "FLORIDA - Charlotte County". National Register of Historic Places. http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/FL/Charlotte/state.html. Retrieved 2006-09-25. 
4. ^ "Florida's History Through Its Places - Charlotte County". Myflorida.com. http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/index.cfm?fuseaction=ListAreas&county=charlotte. Retrieved 2007-05-25. 
5. ^ "School Locator". Charlotte County Public Schools. Archived from the original on 2008-04-10. http://web.archive.org/web/20080410083823/http://www.ccps.k12.fl.us/NewResidents.cfm?PageID=SchoolLocator. Retrieved 2008-06-01. 
6. ^ "About Charlotte High School". Tarpon Alumni. http://tarponalumni.com/AboutCHS.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-30. 
7. ^ "Demographic Makeup By School of Attendance". Charlotte County Public Schools. http://yourcharlotteschools.net/AboutUs.cfm?PageID=DemoBySchool. Retrieved 2008-11-09. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ "Our History". Your Charlotte County Public Schools. Archived from the original on 2007-02-05. http://web.archive.org/web/20070205130657/http://www.ccps.k12.fl.us/AboutUs.cfm?PageID=History. Retrieved 2007-03-31. 
9. ^ See 1959 Charlotte High School Year Book, cheerleaders section, art teacher Patadams designed the tarpon flag and drew the fighting tarpon on it
10. ^ Tierney, Dan (2004-08-25). "School times set". Sun-Herald. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927092048/http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/082504/tp1ch1.htm?date=082504&story=tp1ch1.htm. Retrieved 2007-06-05. 
11. ^ ^{a b} Quinn, Carolyn (2007-05-24). "Charlotte High begins rebuilding". Sun-Herald. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927091939/http://www.sun-herald.com/Newsheadline.cfm?headline=8722&banner=2. Retrieved 2007-05-25. 
12. ^ Alain Jehlen / Dave Winans (November 2004). "NEA Today Storm Season". National Education Association. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070815125027/http%3A//www.nea.org/neatoday/0411/stormseason.html. Retrieved 2007-02-04. "In Charlotte County, where 6 of 21 schools were destroyed or heavily damaged, students were forced to attend the remaining safe schools in shifts. Some started as early as 6 a.m.: others ended as late as 7:10 p.m." 
13. ^ "Historical Society Receives Save Our History Grant" (PDF). Florida Preservation News. Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. 2005. p. 5. http://www.flheritage.com/news/newsletters/fpn_spring_05.pdf. Retrieved 2007-01-25. 
14. ^ "Student Activities". Charlotte High School. http://chs.ccps.k12.fl.us/Student%20Activities. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
15. ^ "2008–2009 Coaches" (PDF). Charlotte High School. http://chs.yourcharlotteschools.net/Downloads/CoachesEmail0809.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
16. ^ "School Level Details". Florida Department of Education. http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/default.asp?action=verifySelectionSchool&report=SG&districts=08&schoolYear=2006-2007%2C2005-2006%2C2004-2005%2C2003-2004%2C2002-2003%2C2001-2002%2C2000-2001%2C1999-2000%2C1998-1999&school_grade=&level=School&schoolNumbers=080031. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
17. ^ Maffezzoli, Dennis (2007-05-25). "Corsaletti gets taste of majors with Rocket". Herald Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/SPORTS/705250634/1021/FEATURES02. Retrieved 2007-12-30. ^{[dead link]}
18. ^ Maffezzoli, Dennis (2007-06-08). "Milwaukee Brewers selects LaPorta". News-Press. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070608/SPORTS/706080324. Retrieved 2008-01-12. 
19. ^ Official Web Site of the Akron Aeros
20. ^ Scott, Anna (2006-01-10). "James Lawless, former schools superintendent, dies at 86". Herald Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060110/NEWS/601100348/1264/NEWS0103. Retrieved 2007-12-07. 
21. ^ "5 SFWL players named to State All-Time Prep Football Top 100". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 2007-12-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20071206024508/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22103382/. Retrieved 2007-12-07. 
22. ^ Fineran, John. "Baseball's return tops 2006 stories". Sun-Herald. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927092013/http%3A//www.sun-herald.com/NewsfeatureLink.cfm%3Flink%3D/yearend/2006/topareasports.cfm. Retrieved 2007-05-25. 

External links

Media related to Charlotte High School (Punta Gorda, Florida) at Wikimedia Commons

• Charlotte HS official website
• Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs - Charlotte High School