South High School

South High School is the largest public school (state funded) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its student population is approximately 1,906 (according to the Minnesota Department of Education), with a staff of about 162. As of 2005 the school principal is Dr. Linda Nelson, who is assisted by three assistant principals, and administration from each Small Learning Communities.

Related Topics:
Public school - Minneapolis, Minnesota - As of 2005

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South was founded in 1893 and moved into its current building at 3131 19th Ave. S. in the 1970s.

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The school has four different small learning communities (SLCs). They are Liberal Arts, Open, Triple E (Environment, Empowerment, Essentials) and All Nations (a program designed for American Indian students). Triple E is the neighborhood school. Each SLC is assigned to an assistant principal, counselor and program director. There are, in addition, several programs for special education students and teenage parents.

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The South High School building has two floors which surround an auditorium, commons area, and balcony. In addition there is a third floor which does not overlook the commons. The third level is relatively new, and has a fantastic view of downtown in some of the language classrooms. The first floor contains the main office, auditorium, general instruction classrooms, biology classrooms and technology/shop classrooms. The second floor contains many mathematics, social studies and English language arts classrooms. It now has a small studio theatre as well, which will be used for one act plays written and directed by South students. It also was paid for by alumni Josh Hartnett. The third floor houses advanced science classrooms, language classrooms, storage, Triple E classrooms, and All Nations classrooms. Each student is issued an identification card, which is checked upon entry through all entrances, to ensure the safety of the students and staff.

Related Topics:
Auditorium - Commons - Balcony - Office - Biology - Technology - Shop - Mathematics - Social studies - English language arts - Science - Language - Identification card

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South is generally regarded as one of the best high schools in the metropolitan area due to its extensive offerings in general education, special education, athletics, and world languages (French, Spanish, German, Latin, Chinese, Ojibwe). South also, by many estimates, has one of the best theater programs in the state. The school is renowned for its cultural diversity, with students from white, African-American, indigenous African (particularly Somali, Oromo, and West African), Asian (particularly Hmong), American Indian, and Hispanic communities. There is an increasing number of Eastern European students. There is also great economic diversity, and equality amongst different classes.

Related Topics:
French - Spanish - German - Latin - Chinese - Ojibwe - Theater - Diversity - White - African-American - Indigenous - African - Somali - Oromo - West African - Asian - Hmong - American Indian - Hispanic - Eastern European

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There are many annual events on the school year schedule, such as the open house, parent-teacher conference days, homecoming, athletic events, dances, and other social events. Many students arrive early or leave late to participate in extracurricular ("cocurricular" is the administration's preferred term) activities including ethnic student associations, language clubs, competitive academic groups, mock trial, debate, and political groups. SHS has a very active theatre company. Nearly all of their plays are student directed and all parts of the production are student run.

Related Topics:
Homecoming - Dances - Mock trial - Debate - Political

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National History Day Champions.

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South High School is a powerhouse when it comes to national academic competitions and is a tradition for South Students. South High regularly dominates all other schools in the nation in National History Day. In 2005, Students took first place in first in the nation in Mock trial competition and National History Day.

Related Topics:
South High School - Mock trial - National History Day

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The state of Minnesota, to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind legislation, has given SHS two stars out of five in both reading and mathematics. This means that South failed to meet federal accountability standards in both categories in the preceding academic year.

Related Topics:
Minnesota - No Child Left Behind

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Famous SHS alumni include Carl Lumbly, Josh Hartnett, Genevieve Gorder and Rachael Leigh Cook.

Related Topics:
Carl Lumbly - Josh Hartnett - Genevieve Gorder - Rachael Leigh Cook

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