George Washington High School (Denver)
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| George Washington High School | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Denver, CO USA |
|
| Information | |
| School district | Denver Public Schools |
| Principal | Steve Goldstein |
| Students | 1600 |
| Faculty | 89 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Athletics | Football, baseball, volleyball, softball, golf, tennis, gymnastics, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, track |
| Athletics conference | Denver Prep League |
| Motto | "Patriot Pride" |
| Mascot | Patriot, the Green Foot and the Green Giant |
| Color(s) | Green & White |
| Established | 1960 |
| School newspaper | The GW Surveyor |
| JROTC | 6th Battalion |
| Sports Division | 5A |
| Homepage | gwhs.dpsk12.org, georgeib.com |
George Washington High School (also "GW", "GWHS", "G-Dub" and "George") is located near the intersection of South Monaco Parkway and Leetsdale Drive in Denver, Colorado. GW is recognized as the first school in Colorado to offer International Baccalaureate courses, beginning in 1984. GW is a large urban high school serving grades 9-12. GW is one of 14 high schools in the Denver Public Schools system, and one of four named for a U.S. president.[1] GW was ranked as one of America's Top 100 Public High Schools by Newsweek in 2005 for the third time.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The Jolly Green Giant became George Washington's mascot in 1965 when GW students Ken Waters, Tom Turril and friends pulled a unique “prank” that survives to this day. Ken Walters called The Green Giant Co., which agreed to donate The Giant as GW’s mascot. The seniors put the Giant on the roof of the high school, with painted footprints running up the wall. The prank became notorious when the story appeared in newspapers and on television. Since, The Giant has become a regular at pep rallies, basketball and football games, and has even had his senior portrait featured in the high school yearbook.[3]
[edit] International Baccalaureate Program
George Washington High School became Colorado's first International Baccalaureate World School in April 1984. The school offers two dozen International Baccalaureate classes.[4][5] In 2007, 100% of GWHS IB graduates went on to attend college (39% in-state, 61% out-of-state), with a mean ACT score of 28.5 and SAT of 1920. Historically, half of GWHS IB graduates receive merit-based scholarships.[6]
[edit] Athletics/Extracurriculars
The school newspaper is The George Washington Surveyor, which is part of the High School National Ad Network. The paper takes its name from president George Washington's lifelong association with geography and cartography. The Surveyor newspaper is also a recent winner of the prestigious National Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association.[7]
In 2008, George Washington's Mock Trial Team won the state tournament and placed 5th nationally in the National Mock Trail Competition in Wilmington, Delaware.
George Washington currently has 47 active clubs[8] and the GW Athletic department currently offers 21 sports in JV and Varsity[9].
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Chauncey Billups, NBA player for the Detroit Pistons[10]
- Sierra Boggess, singer and actress[11]
- David Jacobson, Radio announcer "Dirty Dave" on KQKS
- Greg Primus, former NFL player for the Chicago Bears
- Dianne Reeves, Jazz Vocalist, Winner of Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2001, 2002, 2004 & 2006[12]
[edit] References
- ^ Denver Public Schools: List of High Schools
- ^ Newsweek America's Top Public High Schools for 2005
- ^ History of GW
- ^ George Washington High School IB Program Background
- ^ International Baccalaureate Organization: George Washington High School
- ^ Class of 2007 Statistics
- ^ National Scholastic Press Association: 2007 Pacemaker Winners
- ^ GW Clubs
- ^ GW Athletics
- ^ JockBio: Chauncey Billups
- ^ Denver Post: Star of "Little Mermaid" musical visits her alma mater
- ^ The Morning News: Profile of Dianne Reeves
