Northview High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
| Northview High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
Grand Rapids, MI United States | |
| Coordinates | 43°02′40″N 85°37′16″W / 43.0445°N 85.621°WCoordinates: 43°02′40″N 85°37′16″W / 43.0445°N 85.621°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1962 |
| Locale | Northview Public Schools |
| Principal | Mark Thomas |
| Teaching staff | 100 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Number of students | 1225 |
| School color(s) | Red, White, Black |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| Website | Northview High School |
Northview High School is located in Plainfield Township, Kent County, Michigan, a northern suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a National Blue Ribbon school in 2001.
History
The Northview Public School District was born in the late 1950s. As the population of greater Grand Rapids swelled, the need for a high school became clear, and in an effort to pool the financial resources needed to build a high school, several small rural school districts merged with the Oakview Public School District to form Northview Public Schools. In 1959, construction began on the building, and in 1962, Northview High School opened its doors to its first students. In 2011 and 2012, two tax proposals gave over 43.5 million dollars towards renovating the high school campus, as well as the athletic facilities. In the early fall of 2014, the construction was completed.[1]
Student activities
Marching band
The NHS Marching Band has made it to Michigan State Marching Band Championships every year since it began competing in the Michigan Competing Band Association The band has competed at over 20 State Final Competitions and has competed at hundreds of other MSBOA competitions. The band is currently directed by Greg Wells and Mark Lago.
Sports
The Northview Wildcats are in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Bronze Division. Northview is home to an accomplished swim team, coached by Rob Damuth. The 2005-2006 boys basketball team ranked 4th in the state. The outstanding soccer program went undefeated and won a state championship in 2010.
In 1990, The Northview boys basketball team lead a Cinderella run in the state basketball tournament. The team began the season with 4 wins and 5 losses. They then ran off a school record 16 wins before losing in the state semi-final game to Detroit Country day. The team consisted of a unique cast of characters including the fundamentally sound three-year starter Chris Powers, local playground legend Marcus Vander, chimerical transfer student Dusty Nash, foreign exchange student Halvor Holm, and led by first year coach Mike Diebold.
The 1970 Football team went undefeated and won the first, and only, Michigan State Championship.
The 2012 Football team made it to the playoffs for the first time in the school's history.
In both 2013 and 2014 the girls varsity ski team finished in third place at the regional meet and moved forward to compete at the Michigan State Championships.
Academics
The average ACT score of Northview for Juniors in the 2006-2007 school year was a 20, which is the national average. Approximately 70% of the students passed each section of the Michigan Merit Exam.
Notable alumni
- Gary Hogeboom - NFL Quarterback
- Sharon Palma - National Pro Fastpitch Professional Softball Player