Mena High School
| Mena High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
700 South Morrow St Mena, Arkansas 71953 United States | |
| Coordinates | 34°34′49″N 94°13′16″W / 34.58028°N 94.22111°WCoordinates: 34°34′49″N 94°13′16″W / 34.58028°N 94.22111°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Established | August 1922 |
| School district | Mena School District |
| NCES District ID | 0509750[1] |
| CEEB code | 040650 |
| NCES School ID | 050975000713[2] |
| Principal | Shane Torix |
| Faculty | 47.35 (on FTE basis)[2] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 563[2] (2011–12) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 11.89[2] |
| Campus type | Rural; distant[2] |
| Color(s) |
Black Red |
| Athletics conference | 4A Region 7 |
| Sports | Football, Marching Band, Volleyball, Golf, Cross Country, Bowling, Basketball, Cheer, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Athletics |
| Mascot | Bearcat |
| Team name | Mena Bearcats |
| Accreditation |
Arkansas Department of Education AdvancED (1930–) |
| USNWR ranking | Bronze Medalist |
| Affiliations | Arkansas Activities Association |
| Website |
hs |
Mena High School is an accredited public secondary school located in Mena, Arkansas, United States. The school provides comprehensive education to more than 550 students annually in grades nine through twelve. Mena High School is the largest of four public high schools in Polk County and is the sole high school administered by the Mena School District.
History
In 1975, two female students were expelled from Mena High School after spiking the punch at a party with two bottles of beer. Feeling the punishment was excessive, the students took legal action, and the case was eventually heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled that school boards have a responsibility to assure that the constitutional rights of students are upheld.[3]
Academics
The assumed course of study for students is to complete the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), which requires students complete at least 22 units for graduation. Students complete regular (core and career focus) courses and exams and may select Advanced Placement classes and exams with opportunities for college credit via AP exam. As of 2008–09, Mena High School offered 14 programs of study in career and technical education in 12 career pathways as determined by the Arkansas Department of Career Education.[4] The school is accredited by the ADE and has been accredited by AdvancED since 1930.[5]
Mena High School was nationally recognized as a Bronze Medalist in the Best High Schools Report 2012 by U.S. News & World Report.[6]
Fine arts
Students may participate in various musical and performing arts including: band (e.g., concert band, jazz band), choir (e.g., a cappella, barbershop quartet, beautyshop quartet) and theater (e.g., competitive speech, drama, stagecraft). Students may participate in Art Club. The high school conducts on and off campus performances including at Mena's Ouachita Little Theatre.[7]
Extracurricular activities
The Mena High School mascot is the Bearcat with the school colors of red and black.
Athletics
For the 2012–14 seasons, the Mena Bearcats participate in the 4A Classification within the 4A Region 4 Conference as sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association with student-athletes competing in football, volleyball, baseball, basketball (boys/girls), cross country (boys/girls), bowling (boys/girls), cheer, golf (boys/girls), soccer (boys/girls), softball, tennis (boys/girls), track and field (boys/girls).[8]
- Football: Home football games are played at Randall Whorton Field at Boyd Stadium. The Mena Bearcats won a state football championship in 1976, and were state runner up in 2014.
Clubs and traditions
Mena students participate in a variety of clubs and organization, which provide membership, activities, events and conferences, including Art Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Library Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).
Notable alumni
The following are notable people associated with Mena High School. If the person was a Mena High School student, the number in parentheses indicates the year of graduation; if the person was a faculty or staff member, that person's title and years of association are included:
- Norris "Tuffy" Goff (1924)—Comedian in radio and film known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedy Lum and Abner.
- Chester Lauck (1920)—Comedian in radio and film known for his portrayal of Lum Edwards on the rural comedy Lum and Abner.
- Charles E. Maple (instructor)—Late journalist, chamber of commerce official, and state parks executive.
References
- ↑ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Mena School District". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Mena High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ↑ "School 'Rights'". The Robesonian. March 3, 1975.
- ↑ "Vocational Report Card 2008–09, Mena High School" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Career Education. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ↑ "Institution Summary, Mena High School". AdvancED. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ↑ "Best High Schools Report 2012". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ↑ "Welcome to the Ouachita Little Theatre Website". Ouachita Little Theatre. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ↑ "School Profile, Mena High School". Arkansas Activities Association. Retrieved December 26, 2012.