- Ridgewood High School is a four-year public high school serving residential suburbs in New Port Richey, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. It is part of the Pasco County Public School System in Pasco County, Florida. The school was founded in 1978 as a junior high school with the intent of it becoming the third high school in western Pasco County.
- History
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The Pasco County School Board approved creation of a new Junior High School in the Ridgewood area of New Port Richey in response to population growth in the area during the 1970s, with the expectation that the school would ultimately become West Pasco's third high school. Superintendent Thomas Weightman had Ridgewood built to senior high specifications and purchased extra land near the school for the future expansion and conversion. The school was built for $3.2 million and opened in 1978. Wendell L. Krinn became the first principal of the school and would serve in that position for 20 years. The St. Petersburg Times proclaimed Ridgewood, "The new home of education" in Pasco County because of its state of the art facilities and unique architecture. Rowe Holmes Associates designed the main building of Ridgewood High School after the Tampa Bay Center in Tampa, Florida, with its courtyard, high ceilings, and second floor overlooking the building.
- The official conversion occurred on August 5, 1981, by a majority vote of the school board. Ridgewood began operating as a high school in 1983 with a freshman class, adding one grade per each year, until it had a full four-year complement in the 1985-1986 school year, which was the first graduating class. As part of the transition to a high school, Ridgewood underwent a $1.6 million renovation project, which included a gym added to the back of the main building, a stadium built by the football field, as well as a new weight room and tennis courts.
- After winning the "Pride of Pasco" academic award, in 1988, the title stuck as the nickname of the school. Ridgewood High School excelled during this period, leading the county in HSC Test scores four consecutive years under the leadership of Krinn.
- In 1998, Dr. Arthur O'Donnell became the second principal in Ridgewood's history after transferring from Hudson High School. In 2003, he retired after working for 35 years in the Pasco County School system. Randall Koenigsfeld succeeded O'Donnell as Principal of Ridgewood High, a position he held until July 2009, when he was transferred to Schwettman Education Center. Andy Frelick, principal of Wesley Chapel High School was named principal of Ridgewood.
[http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2009/07/more-principal-musical-chairs-for-pasco.html#comments] - School symbols
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During the establishment of the school in the late 1970’s, the student body at Ridgewood voted to make the official nickname and logo the Ram, "which symbolizes the endless determination of our spirit to strive for high standards in every aspect within our institution."
[ There was actually a real ram brought in as a mascot for sporting events who would soon be replaced by the present day Rocky the Ram.” The colors orange and blue were adopted][, matching those of the University of Florida Gators.]- Academics
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Ridgewood High School has a graduation rate of 80%, well exceeding the Pasco County average of 72% and state of Florida average at 68%.
[ RHS's dropout rate is 2.2%, which is consistently lower than both the district and state averages. ][ The school has 105 certified faculty members, 29 of which with Masters or post-Masters degrees, and 2 with Doctorates. 51% of the Ridgewood faculty has at least a decade of experience in the teaching field, while 30 teachers at the school have more than 25 years of teaching experience. ] - RHS curriculum offers 14 classes of Advanced Placement, an honors program, and countless Dual-Enrollment options due to the incredibly close proximity to Pasco-Hernando Community College.
[ Likewise, Marchman Technical Education Center resides next door to Ridgewood High giving students even more options. Ridgewood is the pilot school for a new wellness program in Pasco County, attempting to improve and teach good habits for now and in the future. 80% of Ridgewood High School students move on to post-secondary education. ] - In 2006, Ridgewood High School won the state championship of the Odyssey of the Mind competition, representing the state of Florida against the world.
[[5] of the Mind Results 2006, accessed July 1, 2007] - Learning communities
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In 1997, Ridgewood High School started implementing the learning community concept, which has been expanded over the years to the current four learning communities at Ridgewood High School.
[ Profile for Ridgewood High School: Improvement and Self Study Report for Accreditation, accessed January 11, 2007]
- The Academy of Business and Law (ABLE) focuses on business and law through the study of business and law courses as part of an enhanced core curriculum.
- Communication and the Arts Standing Together (CAST) program educates students in the communications field, and prepares them for future careers in the industry through study of communication and the arts.
- The Health Occupational and Technological Services (HOTS) program focuses on hands-on science courses, with attention to developing critical-thinking skills. Students address the influence of science on society. Guest speakers from related fields participate in the process.
- The Graduation Enhancement Program (GEP) helps "at risk" students improve their academic achievement, vocational skills and community involvement to connect students to the world at large.
- Alma Mater
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To Her name we pledge our honor.
In joyous song we raise
Ridgewood our Alma Mater.
Thy glorious name we praise.
Where sea and tide are rolling,
Forever will our voices ring
Her deeds we proudly sing.
In thy beauty and majesty
Beneath the orange and blue victorious,
Her name shall never die.
There's no other name so glorious
All hail, Ridgewood High.
- Athletics
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Ridgewood High School won its first Pasco County All-Sports Trophy in 1986 after winning the district title in cross country, track, baseball and soccer. "The other schools kid us a lot," said Principal Wendell Krinn to the St. Petersburg Times in 1986. "They call us the University of Ridgewood or the Taj Mahal of the county."
[[6]] - RHS continued this success and won two state titles in Cross Country under then Coach Glenn Cable in 1991
[ The kings of cross country, St. Petersburg Times, November 25, 1991] and 1999.[ Boys Cross Country 2006-07 Championship Records, Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Ridgewood won the Class 3A state title in Fast-Pitch Softball in 1992, led by coach Marlyn Bavetta, defeating Berkeley Preparatory School by a score of 7-6.[ Ridgewood wouldn't be denied Series: SOFTBALL, St. Petersburg Times by Jim Carson, May 10, 1992][ Softball 2005-06 Championship Records, Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Ridgewood achieved success in both sports during the 1990s with victories at both the district and conference level. - Ridgewood won another state title in 2000 for Wrestling. The 2A state title at 119 pounds was won by Joe Mendoza, who overcame a 4-3 deficit, scoring a takedown with 19 seconds left to defeat Homestead South Dade and its wrestler Tymer Cooper.
[ St. Petersburg Times, May 24, 2009] - Ridgewood's football team has experienced a measure of success in the last few years after spending over a decade near or at the bottom of the district standings. The Rams made their first playoff appearance in 2002 under coach Troy Cornwell, falling to Belleview High School by a score of 48-6 in the first round of the Class 4A tournament.
[ Football 2006-07 Championship Records, Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 8, 2007] In 2007, the Rams experienced the best season in school history under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Taylor. Led by star running back Byronell Arline, the Rams finished 9-1 overall and 4-1 in Class 4A District 8.[ Ridgewood Rams 2007 team page on TampaBay.com] Only a late season loss to eventual champion Land O' Lakes prevented the Rams from winning the first District championship in school history.[ LOL Rallies for Title, Tampa Tribune, Nov. 3 2007] Arline would set the North Suncoast record for most rushing yards in a single season by collecting 2,188 yards in ten regular season games; the previous record was set by Dwayne Mobley of Hernando High School in 1991.[ Arline crowned top runner, TampaBay.com blog, Nov. 9 2007] Ridgewood qualified for the playoffs for the second time in six years, but fell in the first round to Seabreeze High School of Daytona Beach by the score of 43-3.[ Daytona Beach Seabreeze 43, Ridgewood 3, St. Petersburg Times, Nov. 17, 2007] - Gary Anders was hired in 1987 to coach the Ridgewood boys basketball team and serve as athletic director. The basketball program would win several conference titles under Anders and back-to-back district titles in the mid-1990s and again achieving the feat in 2003 and 2004.
[ Ridgewood secures consecutive titles Series: 4A, St. Petersburg Times by Greg Auman, February 2, 2004] Ridgewood won another conference title in 2006. Anders won his 400th basketball game in 2003[ Celebration can wait, Anders' Rams still busy Series: Boys Basketball District Tournaments, St. Petersburg Times by Jamal Thalji, February 20, 2003] and made the Elite 8 in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) basketball tournament.[ Boys Basketball 2006-07 Championship Records, Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Girls basketball advanced into the state playoffs, winning several district and conference titles and moving on to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2004.[ Girls Basketball 2006-07 Championship Records, Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] - Former Assistant Principal and teacher Larry Beets was hired as head baseball coach, and after winning back to back conference championships in 1986 and 1987, won district titles in 1990 and 1991, and a Regional Championship in 1991 and 1998. From 2003-2005, the team won three straight district championships capped off in 2006 with six consecutive playoff appearances. The Rams would also make the 2003 State Championship game, falling to Bishop Kenny High School by a score of 13-0 in the Class 4A finals at Legends Field in Tampa, Florida.
[ Baseball 2005-06 Championship Records, Florida High School Athletic Association, accessed January 5, 2007] Larry Beets was recognized by the St. Petersburg Times as "Coach of the Year" for his accomplishments with a team that had less "firepower" than its competitors yet managed to pull off a major upset in the district final.[ COACH OF THE YEAR, St. Petersburg Times, May 28, 2006] - Competing in a group of 61 high schools in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, participating in 19 different sports, Ridgewood High School was recognized in 1992 as a winner of the fourth annual St. Petersburg Times All-Sports Championship, paced by state titles in boys cross country and softball.
[ Ridgewood, Berkeley share all-sports crown, St. Petersburg Times by Tim Looney, May 17, 1992] - Notable alumni
- Adamm Oliver (Class of 2003), All-ACC Defensive End for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
[ Adamm Oliver, Georgia Tech, July 1, 2007.]
- Mike Rabelo (Class of 1998), Major League Baseball catcher, currently with the Florida Marlins
[ http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/292723 Player page on CBS Sportsline.com.]
- Julie Stenger (Class of 1986), the first woman from Pasco County to win an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point).
[[7], May 25, 2009.]
- Robert Jacob Tysz (Class of 1986), Scientist II, PBS&J Corp.
- Brian Turner (Class of 2001), Fulbright Scholar: Architecture/Japan
[ http://www.cooper.edu/administration/pubaff/internal_news/archive/may2008.html] - External links
- Ridgewood High School website
- Data for the Ridgewood Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- History of Education in Pasco County - Ridgewood High School
- Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
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