Alexander City Schools
Alexander City Schools is the school district of Alexander City, Alabama. It dates from 1869 and there are currently 3,400 students.[1] The superintendent is Mrs Lou Ann Wagoner. The High School Principal is Dr. Wilkinson.
The district's schools are Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City Middle School, Radney Elementary School, Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School and Jim Pearson Elementary School.
Contents
History
The Alexander City schools were affected historically by desegregation efforts within Alabama. By the fall of 1970, the 31% minority student total of the public school system was distributed within the then-existing schools as follows:[2]
- Jim Pearson Elementary (Grades 1-2) total enrollment of 704 numbered 235 Negro and 469 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 Negro teachers and 21 other teachers on its 30-member faculty.
- Laurel Elementary (Grades 3-4) total enrollment of 652 numbered 213 Negro and 439 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 Negro teachers and 19 other teachers on its 28-member faculty.
- Russell Elementary (Grades 5-6) total enrollment of 662 numbered 200 Negro and 462 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 Negro teachers and 15 other teachers on its 24-member faculty.
- Alexander City Junior High (Grades 7-9) total enrollment of 1,102 numbered 369 Negro and 733 other students. At the same time, the school had 13 Negro teachers and 32 other teachers on its 45-member faculty.
- Benjamin Russell High (Grades 10-12) total enrollment of 806 numbered 204 Negro and 602 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 Negro teachers and 35 other teachers on its 44-member faculty.
In 2005 the Alexander City Schools system was awarded district accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).[3] All graduates of Benjamin Russell High School gain two years of tuition-free education through the Central Alabama Community College under the Gateway to Education Scholarship Program, which was awarded the National Civic Star Award by the American Association of School Administrators in 2007.[3]
Facilities
In partnership with the College of Engineering of Auburn University, Benjamin Russell High School has included an Engineering Academy since 2007.[3]
The High School also has a "Success Center", a learning lab for students who have not passed one or more sections of the High School Graduation Exam, giving them an opportunity to retake the test.[4]
Strategic Plan
The district's Strategic Plan for 2008-2013 includes targets for dental screening, physical activity for all students, responsible eating and nutritional information, safety codes, behavior monitoring, richer student experiences and problem solving, after-school programs, mentorship program, parental involvement, greater professional development for teachers, and art and foreign-language teaching.[5]
Policies
The district's dress code requires students to be neatly dressed, clean and well groomed. Boys' shirts must be tucked in, and shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the kneecap. Pants must cover the hips, and shoes must be worn.[6]
Penalties for student misconduct include detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, Saturday school, alternative education program, and corporal punishment. The latter consists of a maximum of three licks administered in private to the student's buttocks with a smooth wooden paddle; for grades K-6 this must be 7½" by 3½", and ¼" thick, and for grades 7-12 it must be 13" by 5", and 3/8 inches thick, in both cases with a handle of 4 inches. Parents who object to paddling may request an alternative punishment. No student is forced to submit to a paddling.[1] Students may choose a spanking in lieu of suspension.[7]
Extracurricular Activities
"The Pride of Alexander City" Wildcat Marching Band
- Director: Dale "B." Bloodworth
- Asst. Director/Percussion Director: Mike C. Muncher
- Drum Major:
The Benjamin Russell High School marching band, also known as "The Pride of Alexander City," is one of many electives offered at Benjamin Russell. If students wish to participate in another activity during marching season but still wish to be a member of the band, they have the option of participating in solely concert band.
Wildcat Football Team
- Head Coach: Danny Horn
- Asst. Coach:
- Chaplain: Wayne Cowhick
Wildcat Varsity Cheer Squad
- Cheer Coach: Beth Dewberry
- Head Cheerleader:
- Cheer Captain
- Cheer Co Captain:
Wildcat Junior Varsity Cheer Squad
- Cheer Coach:
- Head Cheerleader:
- Cheer Captain
- Cheer Co Captain:
Wildcat Dance Team
- Dance Coach: Jeanne Riddle
- Dance Captain:
- Dance Co-Captain:
- Naval Science Instructor/SK1: PO1 Ron Rowe
- Commanding Officer: Cadet Lieutenant Emmanuel L. Ford
- Executive Officer: Cadet Ensign Maria S. Waigand
Notable alumni
- Bill White, Major League Baseball player[8]
- Terrell Owens, NFL wide receiver[9]
- Eltoro Freeman NFL linebacker[10]
Notes
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- ↑ United States Department of Health Education and Welfare (HEW) Office for Civil Rights, Directory of Public Secondary and Elementary Schools in Selected Districts: Fall 1970, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1972, p. 1. Terms are those used in the official report.
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