Arlington High School (LaGrange, New York)

The district was known as the Arlington Union Free School District Number 7, from 1920 to 1961. When the district was formed, there were two school buildings. In 1920, only one year of high school work was offered. In 1922 it was expanded to two years, and in 1924 three years were offered. In 1926 Arlington High School was granted a charter as a six-year high school, and its first commencement was held in that year with only nine students graduating!^[1]. The current Arlington High School campus was built in 1961, after the former High School, a 1930s WPA project building in Arlington New York, was converted into a middle school. In 1967, the first of several renovations took place, adding dozens of new classrooms to the building. In 1979, the current high school became "North Campus" for juniors, seniors and a portion of the sophomore class, while South Campus, located on Stringham Road in Lagrangeville, New York, was built for freshman and the rest of the sophomore class. Some sophomore students split their days between North and South campuses, and school buses came in both "first wave" and "second wave" to service both campuses. The high school opened another renovation in fall 1998 that increased its size considerably, and all four grades were moved back to the north campus and the Stringham Road building (LaGrange Junior High prior to 1979) became LaGrange Middle School. The 1998 expansion was meant to last the district only 10 years, and so in 2005 discourse began concerning an additional large expansion of the building. Debate for the expansion was tense, due to already high income taxes and the looming energy crisis. Nevertheless, the measure passed, though with several budget trimming alterations. As a result, the school will be expanded again, with the new renovation completed by the year 2009. When completed, it will be large enough to hold more than 4,000 students. The school's principal Thomas Brooks was awarded New York State Principal of the Year for 2007. ^[2].

[edit] Current state

Arlington High School's Cafeteria D.

In the 2004-2005 school year, the school reported an enrollment total of 3,136 students ^[3]. Arlington was honored in Newsweek's survey of the top 1,000 high schools in America as number 755 ^[4]. Schools in the survey were ranked by AP Classes offered at the school and the ratio of students enrolled in AP courses versus lower level classes. Currently, Arlington offers 21 such courses, at least three of which have over 180 students enrolled each year. The administration has come under recent criticism for over enrolling students in the AP classes in hopes of boosting the ranking even further.

One of two food courts at Arlington High School, showing several sections including the Grand Central Grill, Little Italy Pizza and Park Avenue Entree.

[edit] Athletics

The boys soccer team has won three state championships in 1984, 1999, and 2006. In 1999, it finished ranked 9th nationally. In 2006, the team increased its rank to third nationally and first in the state before being upset in a shoot-out loss in the state AA quarterfinals. Seven years after Arlington's last championship, the team finished with a perfect season of 25-0-0, winning the Class AA state title. The perfect season ended with the team being ranked 3rd in the nation among perochial and private schools. Arlington currently has 27 different sport teams. ^[5] One of Arlington's Premier Coaches, Gary Montalto won Coach Of America, a national title. In his 28 years of coaching, Arlington is 490-78-40, with five state championship game appearances and three state titles. ^[6]

The school's baseball team won the Class A state title in 1987.

[edit] The Arlingtonian

February 2007 Edition Of The Arligtonian.

The Arlingtonian is the official school newspaper of Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, NY. The paper is entirely student run, though faculty advised and funded by the school district. The Arlingtonian publishes monthly while school is in session, excluding September and May. The newspaper is currently free to all students, but a fee is required of those who request home delivery. The paper is also distributed to local stores.

[edit] Marching Band

Its marching band won the Musical Arts Conference championship in 2003^[7] and 2004^[8], and the New York State Field Band Conference championship in 2004^[9]. They were ranked in the top 23 bands in the nation after competing in the Bands of America Grand National Competition Championship in 2004. Their website can be found here: [1]

[edit] The Quarter Mile

The "Quarter Mile" at Arlington High School. This hallway runs along the North Side of the building

Perhaps one of the most well known features of the building is the North Hallway, nicknamed by the administration as the "Quarter Mile". This hallway stretches across the entire length of the school. It is important for two reasons, first, that it is the only direct route from one side of the school to the other, and second, winter track students use the hallway as a track in the cold winter months.

[edit] Expansion

Arlington Central Schools has approved a plan to expand the campus with 40 more classrooms including a K-12 Education Center, a new TV Studio, a Radio Station as well as new science labs, a new auditourium as well as a Senior Cafeteria.

[edit] House Plan

In 2006 Arlington High began "The House Plan". This plan gives each grade their own office, that houses 4 guidance counselors, 2 administrators and advisors. The 9th Grade house is located near the East Satellite, 10th grade is in the Main Annex, 11th Grade is near the West Satellite, and 12th grade is in the Main Office. These houses are where many contests, parties, and small social functions are held.