Norman High School is a four-year
public
In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the ''Öffentlichkei ...
high school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
in
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman () is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, with a population of 128,097 as of 2021. It is the largest city and the county seat of Cleveland County, Oklahoma, Cleveland County, and the second-largest city in the Oklahoma C ...
with a steady enrollment of approximately 2,000 students. It is accredited by
North Central Association
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), also known as the North Central Association, was a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states engaged in educational accreditation. It w ...
, the
Oklahoma State Department of Education and the
Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) is an organization which organizes secondary school athletics and activities competitions at the state level. Derald Glover is its president. The OSSAA is a member of the National Federat ...
. The school year consists of two 15-week semesters with a 6 class flexible schedule, consisting of 52 minute periods. Norman High School is part of the Norman Independent School District No. 29 of
Cleveland County
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the United States, U.S. U.S. state, state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along ...
,
Oklahoma
Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...
, more commonly known as
Norman Public Schools
Norman Public Schools (formally known as Independent School District Number 29 of Cleveland County, Oklahoma) is a public school district serving parts of Norman, Oklahoma, United States. There are over 15,000 students enrolled in the district. T ...
(NPS). Norman High was ranked as one of the top 1,400 high schools in the United States in 2009.
History
Norman High School's history began in 1890 with the construction of the township's first high school, located at what was then the west side of the city. The institution was the only educational facility in Norman, tutoring students from elementary through high school. In the early 1900s, the original high school building burned down following an attempt to condemn the school. After the fire, Norman lacked an official high school building for 15–19 years. During this time, students were taught in homes, businesses, churches and other facilities. The second structure to house Norman High was located off of Porter Avenue and was used until 1954 when the current building was constructed, leaving the old building to become Central Mid-High, and eventually,
Longfellow Middle School.
In 2014, students and community members staged a protest amid allegations that the school mishandled a rape investigation and "punished the victims for being victims." The school expelled the alleged rapist, and when charges were formally brought against him, a spokesperson for Norman Public Schools released a statement that the school district's leadership was "pleased that charges were filed." Court proceedings resulted in a 10-year prison sentence, of which eight were suspended.
Academics
Curriculum highlights include:
''Career''Tech
Students interested in technical and career-specific skills to prepare for such careers as automotive, child care, computers, construction, cosmetology, industrial technology, health care, or landscaping may Dual Enroll in one- or two-year programs at
Moore Norman Technology Center
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE, commonly known and branded as CareerTech) is an agency of the state of Oklahoma located in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
CareerTech oversees a statewide system of career and technology e ...
, affiliated with the
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
Dual enrollment
Juniors and seniors may take courses at local colleges and universities, including the University of Oklahoma, Rose State College, and Oklahoma City Community College.
Communications
Norman High's student newspaper, ''The Tiger Tribune'' (formerly ''TigerTalk'') has received multiple awards for its student journalism. In 2009, ''The Tiger Tribune'' was awarded the OIPA Sweepstakes award, the highest honor awarded for high school newspapers in Oklahoma. Media students also have the ability to study
broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution (business), distribution of sound, audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio ...
,
production
Production may refer to:
Economics and business
* Production (economics)
* Production, the act of manufacturing goods
* Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services)
* Production as a stati ...
, and
videography
Videography is the process of capturing moving images on electronic media (e.g., videotape, direct to disk recording, or solid state storage) and even streaming media. The term includes methods of video production and post-production. It used ...
in association with local
Public-access television
Public-access television is traditionally a form of non-commercial mass media where the general public can create content television programming which is narrowcast through cable television specialty channels. Public-access television was creat ...
channel 18.
Yearbook
Students in yearbook produce ''The Trail'' yearbook, which has also received state and national level awards.
The Norman High School Trail yearbook placed in the top three Division 1 yearbooks in the state at Oklahoma Scholastic Media's Fall Media in 2013.
At the National Scholastic Press Association Conference in Boston, the 2012–13 Edition of ''The Trail'' won first place in the Best in Show competition for yearbooks that are 275–324 pages.
Special education
Norman Public Schools provides comprehensive services to many qualifying students.
Fine and performing arts
Norman High offers a wide array of courses allowing for an in-depth exploration of the arts, including drawing and painting, photography, debate, acting, music, and modern dance.
Music
The music department encompasses the marching band, three concert bands (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, & Concert Band), two concert orchestras (Symphonic and Philharmonia), and several choirs.
Alternative education
An alternative high school program offers a different approach to learning with a nontraditional curriculum in a more structured environment.
Guidance and counseling
A team of five counselors provides support and services to students in areas including course placement, personal adjustment, and college and career counseling. The counselors offer students the opportunity to individualize their education plans to better suit their needs starting next school year as part of the
IEP (Individual Education Plan) program.
Advanced course offerings
Norman High provides students with
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course ...
(AP) coursework in a variety of subjects including Computer Programming, Psychology, Studio Art, English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition, United States History, Government, Human Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C, Calculus AB and BC, and Spanish.
Also available are the two-year, mentored AEGIS English and AEGIS Math programs. Students can apply at the end of their sophomore year, and 20–25 students are selected for each program.
Graduation requirements
*English – 4 units
*Math – 3 units (Algebra I or greater)
*Science – 3 units
*World History – 1 unit
*U.S. History – 1 unit
*U.S. Government – 1/2 unit
*Oklahoma History – 1/2 unit
*Electives – 8 units
*Fine Arts – 2 unit
Total – 23 units
Athletics
Norman High School has a rich tradition in athletics, having won a state championship in women's basketball in 2005, men's basketball in 1955, 1963 and 1970, 1990 (28–0), and 1999; women's soccer in 2004 and 2005; boys' soccer in 1986, 1993, 1997, and 1999; football in 1992; baseball in 1958 and 1995; girls' basketball in 1995; boys' cross country in 2011; and girls' cross country in 2017. Notable athletic alumni include: Retired NFL Kicker Scott Blanton (Redskins, Miami, Denver, Tampa, Rams), former
NFL linebacker Tyrell Peters (Ravens, Lions), wide receiver
Ryan Broyles
Ryan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Ryan (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name)
*Ryan (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places Australia
* Division of Ryan, an elector ...
, former All-American defensive back
J.T. Thatcher (Oklahoma), quarterback
Zac Taylor
Zachary William Taylor (born May 10, 1983) is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Beginning his NFL career as an offensive assistant, he was the quarterbacks coach f ...
(Nebraska), running back
Mossis Madu
Mossis Madu Jr (born November 4, 1987) is a former gridiron football running back. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2011 ...
(Oklahoma), and quarterback
Press Taylor
Sherwood Press Taylor (born January 13, 1988) is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served an assistant coach for the Indianapolis Colts a ...
(Marshall).
Miscellaneous
Mission statement
''Civitas. Litterae. Virtus.''
Current Student organizations
Norman High has many student organizations, including:
* Academic Team
* Art Club
Botball* DECA
* French Honor Society
* Global Awareness Club
* German Honor Society
*
Gay–straight alliance
A Gay–Straight Alliance, Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) or Queer–Straight Alliance (QSA) is a student-led or community-based organisation, found in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. These are primarily in the United ...
* Latin Club
* Linguistics Club
* Meatball Club
Tiger Tribune
* People of the Piece
* Rocketry
* Spanish Honor Society
*
Young Democrats
Former Student organizations
* Youth Advisory Council
* Welcoming and Recognition Committee
* Future Business leaders of America
* Math Science Club
* Media Production
Awards
''The Tiger Tribune'', the monthly student newspaper, won the OSM/OIPA All-Oklahoman award in 2008, 2009 and 2010. At the 2010 OSM/OIPA Spring Media Monday the newspaper won the All-Oklahoman award. In 2009 the newspaper won the coveted OSM/OIPA Sweepstakes award, the highest award given by OSM/OIPA. Along with the Sweepstakes and the All-Oklahoman awards, the newspaper won the Spirit Award at the annual Spring Media Monday of 2009.
The Norman High
Botball
Botball is an educational robotics program that focuses on engaging middle and high school aged students in team-oriented robotics competitions. Thousands of children and young adults participate in the Botball program. It has been active since 1 ...
robotics team did very well at the Oklahoma Botball Regional competition as well as at the National competition from 2002 to 2007, including two national championships in 2005 and 2006 under the leadership of John W. Romanishin '07, now a researcher in the MIT Distributed Robotics Laboratory. The team also won the Global Competition in 2018.
The speech and debate team lost the state championship in speech and debate for the first time in 1998. It then won the state championship in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2017. They also regularly send teams of four to five students to the National Debate Tournament held in June by the
National Forensic League
The National Speech and Debate Association is an American student debating society. It was established in 1925 as the National Forensic League; the name was changed in 2014. It is one of four major national organizations that direct high school ...
, sending a record 14 students in the summer of 2006. The
National Speech and Debate Association
The National Speech and Debate Association is an American student debating society. It was established in 1925 as the National Forensic League; the name was changed in 2014. It is one of four major national organizations that direct high schoo ...
champion in
Lincoln-Douglas debate for 2015, Nicky Halterman, was from Norman High School.
Norman High has produced numerous National Merit Scholars and Presidential Scholars.
In 1989 Norman High School was awarded the Oklahoma Blue Ribbon award of excellence.
NHS Fight Song
Fight on, Norman High!
And to your school be true!
Lift up your head with pride
In all you say and do.
Fight on, Norman High!
We'll always do our best.
We are the orange and black
of N! H! S!
Notable alumni
Basketball
*
Jimmy McNatt, '36, All-American for OU, played in first-ever NCAA Final Four in 1939, starred for AAU's Phillips 66ers in the 1940s.
*
Kellen McCoy
Kellen McCoy (born April 16, 1987) is an American former basketball player and current high school coach. McCoy is best known for his college career at Weber State University, where he was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year and an honora ...
, '05, All-American for
Weber State
Weber State University (pronounced ) is a public university in Ogden, Utah. It was founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
History
Weber State University was founded ...
, professional in Europe.
Football
*
Scott Blanton, '91,
Washington Redskins
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) N ...
kicker
Kicker or The Kicker may refer to:
Sports
* Placekicker, a position in American and Canadian football
* ''Kicker'' (sports magazine), in Germany
* Kicker, the German colloquial term for an association football player
* Kicker, the word used i ...
.
*
Ryan Broyles
Ryan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Ryan (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name)
*Ryan (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places Australia
* Division of Ryan, an elector ...
, '07
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahom ...
,
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...
.
*
Zac Taylor
Zachary William Taylor (born May 10, 1983) is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Beginning his NFL career as an offensive assistant, he was the quarterbacks coach f ...
, '02
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the Cornhuskers compete in NCAA Divis ...
: 2006
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference headquartered in Irving, Texas, USA. It consists of ten full-member universities. It is a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for all sports. Its ...
Offensive Player of the Year,
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member team of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team pla ...
Assistant Coach, currently he is the head coach of the
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The c ...
*
Mossis Madu
Mossis Madu Jr (born November 4, 1987) is a former gridiron football running back. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2011 ...
, '06
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahom ...
,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South divisio ...
.
*
Press Taylor
Sherwood Press Taylor (born January 13, 1988) is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served an assistant coach for the Indianapolis Colts a ...
, '06
Marshall University
Marshall University is a public research university in Huntington, West Virginia. It was founded in 1837 and is named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.
The university is currently composed of nine colleges: L ...
,
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team plays ...
Assistant Coach.
*
J. T. Thatcher, All-American.
*
George Kittle
George Krieger Kittle (born October 9, 1993) is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa, and was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL ...
,
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is org ...
,
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National ...
tight end.
Baseball
*
Jake Jewell, Major League Baseball player.
*
Daniel McCutchen
Daniel Thomas McCutchen (born September 26, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers.
Amateur career
McCutchen attend ...
, Major League Baseball player.
*
John Russell, '79,
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
player, former manager of the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
.
*
Joe Simpson, '70, Major League Baseball player; currently part of
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
broadcast team.
Entertainment
*
Dean Cameron
Dean Cameron (born Dean Eikleberry; December 25, 1962) is an American television and film actor and musician. He is known for his role as Francis "Chainsaw" Gremp in the 1987 Mark Harmon comedy '' Summer School''. He also played Dave Marshak i ...
(Eikleberry), '80, actor.
*
Greg Coolidge
Gregory Coolidge (born Gregory Kullich; December 28, 1972) is an American writer and filmmaker. He grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and later graduated from the University of Oklahoma. He is best known for writing and directing ''Employee of the Mont ...
, '87, actor/writer/director/producer.
*
Christopher Cousins, actor
*
James Garner
James Garner (born James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor. He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including '' The Great Escape'' (1963) with Steve McQueen; Paddy Chayefsky's ''The Ameri ...
(Bumgarner), actor.
*
Milena Govich
Milena Govich ( ;, Serbian: Милена Гович, born October 29, 1976) is an American actress, director, singer, dancer, and musician, best known for portraying NYPD Detective Nina Cassady on the television series ''Law & Order''.
Early li ...
, '95, star on
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
's ''
Law & Order
''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise.
''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
''.
*
Denise Masters Jones, '87, singer and a founding member of the
Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
band
Point of Grace
Point of Grace is an all-female contemporary Christian music vocal group. The current trio consists of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino. The group started out as a quartet in 1991, with original members Breen and Jones, as wel ...
.
*
Megyn Price
Megyn Samantha Price (born March 24, 1971) is an American actress, best known for her roles on television as Claudia Finnerty in the Fox/ WB sitcom ''Grounded for Life'' (2001–05), Audrey Bingham on the CBS sitcom ''Rules of Engagement'' (2007 ...
, '88, actress. Numerous TV roles including starring on ''
Grounded for Life
''Grounded for Life'' is an American television sitcom that debuted on January 10, 2001, as a mid-season replacement on Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox. Created by Mike Schiff and Bill Martin, it ran for two seasons on the network until being cance ...
'' and ''
Rules of Engagement
Rules of engagement (ROE) are the internal rules or directives afforded military forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force, or actions which might be construed as pro ...
''
*
S. Reidy, ‘13, Hip Hop Artist. Performed on tour with
Wax
Waxes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are lipophilic, malleable solids near ambient temperatures. They include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points above about 40 °C (104 °F), melting to giv ...
,
The Palmer Squares. Best selling “Art Rap” artist on
Bandcamp
Bandcamp is an American online audio distribution platform founded in 2007 by Oddpost co-founder Ethan Diamond and programmers Shawn Grunberger, Joe Holt and Neal Tucker, with headquarters in Oakland, California, US. On March 2, 2022, Bandcamp ...
.
Government
*
Lucy H. Koh, '86, United States District judge, first District Court Judge of Korean descent in the United States.
Academia
*
John W. Romanishin, '07, roboticist in the
MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the m ...
Distributed Robotics Laboratory.
Other
*
Bruce Friedrich
Bruce Gregory Friedrich (born August 7, 1969) is co-founder and president of The Good Food Institute (GFI), a Y Combinator funded non-profit that promotes plant- and cell-based alternatives to animal products. He is also a co-founder of the alte ...
, '87, animal activist and author.
*
Jez Lubenetski née Ratliff, ‘01, former soccer player, Forbes 30 Under 30 listmaker
References
External links
Norman High SchoolNorman Public Schools Home PageThe Tiger Tribune
{{authority control
Public high schools in Oklahoma
Buildings and structures in Norman, Oklahoma
Schools in Cleveland County, Oklahoma
Educational institutions established in 1891
1891 establishments in Oklahoma Territory