North High School (Bakersfield, California)
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North High School (NHS) is
senior 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 Bakersfield,
California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
, United States. The school is part of the Kern High School District. Its campus is on Galaxy Avenue.


History

It became apparent that the existing high schools in the Kern High School District were not sufficient in number for the accelerated growth of greater Bakersfield. After several years of planning, ground was broken on March 23, 1952, for the construction of NHS. On September 8, 1953, NHS held their first classes with an enrollment of 625 students, with 28 teachers and counselors. Second year enrollment grew to 927 with 49 on the staff, and the third-year enrollment swelled to 1,300 guided by a staff of 50. Over 60 years later, North High's enrollment is over 2,000 students and certificated staff over 80. Jack Hill, the school's first principal, who served for two years until his untimely death, was succeeded by George Williamson in mid-1955. With Williamson's retirement in 1965, Jack Hilton, the school's vice principal since its opening, took over as principal. He served four years until taking a district administrative position. Mr. Harold Corrie, another Shafter High School principal, was appointed to head North High in 1969. Corrie replaced Mr. Hilton at the District Office, and North High's new Principal beginning July 1, 1973 was Dr. Richard M. Brown formerly vice-president of instruction at North. C. Warner Brooks, formerly assistant principal at Arvin High School became the principal of North High School in January 1985, as Dr. Brown was asked to head a task force at the District Office. In July 1989, William B. Bimat was appointed principal, and Mr. Brooks was appointed assistant superintendent for instruction. Mr. Bimat succumbed to cancer in December 1994. In February 1995 Jim Wren was named principal. Mr. Wrenbeaman retired at the end of 1997–98 school year. Mr. Bryon Schaefer was appointed principal in July 1998. Mr. Schaefer was the former assistant principal of instruction and was once dean of students at North.  In 2010 Mr. Schaefer was appointed assistant superintendent of personnel, and Alan Paradise was appointed principal.  In December 2015 Mark Balch was appointed principal of North High.


Academics

All students enrolled at NHS must meet the following criteria before graduation:KHSD Graduation Requirements
/ref> In total, 220 credits are necessary for a student at NHS to graduate. Every student must also pass the
CAHSEE The California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) was an examination created by the California Department of Education, that was previously mandated to administer in high schools statewide in order to graduate. The examination was suspended in ...
and an approved algebra course. NHS offers AP, GATE, and Honors courses, which students can take to earn college credit, pass an
SAT II SAT Subject Tests were 20 multiple-choice standardized tests given by the College Board on individual subjects, typically taken to improve a student's credentials for college admissions in the United States. On January 19, 2021, the College Boa ...
exam, or be academically challenged.KHSD page for NHS
/ref>


Notable alumni

*
George Culver George Raymond Culver (born July 8, 1943), is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Ph ...
- founder of Bakersfield College Baseball program and Major League Baseball pitcher *
Kevin Harvick Kevin Michael Harvick (born December 8, 1975) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 4 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing. Harvick is the 2014 Cup Series champion, ...
- NASCAR driver, 2014 Sprint Cup winner * Colby Lewis - won game three of the 2010 World Series for the Texas Rangers * Randy Rich - former NFL defensive back *
Stephen Underwood Stephen Underwood (born December 13, 1975, in Bakersfield, California) is an American drummer who has worked with several artists and musicians. He is best known for being drummer and vocalist for the Southern Gospel quartet The Lighthouse Boys. ...
- drummer and vocalist for Southern Gospel Recording; touring artist,
The Lighthouse Boys The Lighthouse Boys are an American Southern Gospel band from Bakersfield, California, and progenitors of "The Bakersfield Sound". The group began in 1974 by brothers Mark and Bill Underwood and Bill's brother in-law Steve Johnson. In 1976, the ...
* Ken Barnes - Eight time World Champion Skeet shooter


References

{{authority control Educational institutions established in 1953 High schools in Bakersfield, California Public high schools in California 1953 establishments in California