Newport High School (Bellevue, Washington)
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| Newport Senior High School | |
| School type | Public secondary school |
|---|---|
| District | Bellevue School District |
| Principal | Patty Siegwarth |
| Faculty | approx. 70[2] |
| Students | approx. 1600[1] |
| Colors | Scarlet and gold |
| Mascot | Knight |
| Location | Bellevue, Washington, USA |
| Website | http://www.bsd405.org/nhs/homepage/ |
Newport High School (NHS) is a public secondary school in Bellevue, WA. It serves students in grades 9-12 in the southern part of the Bellevue School District, including the neighborhoods of Factoria, Newport Shores, Newport Hills, Somerset, Eastgate, and Sunset. The principal is Patty Siegwarth, and the assistant principals are James Peterson and Bethany Spinler. The mascot is the Knight, and the school colors are scarlet and gold[1].
Contents |
[edit] Demographics
In 2006–2007 school year, the total student population was 1570. 55% were white, 35% were Asian, 3% were Hispanic, 1% were African American, and 6% were multi-ethnic. 24% of students speak a first language other than English, and 9% qualify for free or reduced lunches[1].
[edit] Building
As of February 26 all classes have been moved into a new building. It has three floors, with elevators for disabled/handicapped students.
[edit] Achievements
Due to its extensive Advanced Placement course offering, Newport High School has consistently been ranked one of the best schools in the nation, ranking in the Top 50 List of Best High Schools by Newsweek Magazine as measured by the number of AP tests taken divided by the number of seniors in the school, ranking 37th as of 2006[3]. Newport was also selected as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2003 by the U.S. Department of Education[4]. In 2004 Newport High School's World History program was awarded the College Board's designation as the "Best World History program in the world", a measure determined by the number of "passing" scores on the Advanced Placement World History exam. Newport High School had the highest pass rate for schools in its category of over 1500 students; this accomplishment is considerable when Bellevue School District's policy of open access to all Advanced Placement courses is taken into account.
[edit] Technology
During the 2004-2005 school year, the Bellevue School District made a push to buy "Smartboards" for all classrooms[citation needed]. NHS has a library with around 25-35 computers in it explicitly for school-related use, all of which run Windows XP[citation needed]. Some of the technology related courses include the NHS Cisco academy, including CCNP classes, and Advanced Placement Computer Science[1]. Additionally all rooms are fitted with dolby 5.1 surround sound, dvd, and video cassete players.
[edit] Students
Newport High School hosts a variety of clubs, including language/culture clubs in Spanish, French, and Chinese, as well as a branch of the National Honor Society, Gay-Straight Alliance, Debate, Junior Statesmen of America, DECA (Organization), Key Club, a community-service organization called ACE, a snowboarding club called Snow Riders, and more.
Multiple classes are designed to teach students to perform at their personal best, including ASPEN, AVID, leadership and link-crew.
- Link-crew is a semester-long class for Juniors and Seniors, where everyone is assigned a group of freshmen, and these students help the freshmen adjust to high school life.
- Leadership is either semester- or year-long, and in this class students (Sophomore standing or above) learn various leadership techniques which they put to use in projects such as Adopt-a-Family, which raises money for local needy families during the holiday season.
- ASPEN is Newport's advanced health class, in which students learn extensively about HIV/AIDS, and then teach the community and other district students. This year they raised over $40,000 for Northwest AIDS Alliance, making them the third biggest contributers behind Microsoft and the Alliance itself.
- AVID (advancement via individual determination) is designed for students who are taking courses the students feel are challenging. This class teaches study skills, and students practice college entrance examinations and essays.
Newport students take part in many 'Spirit' activities, especially during Homecoming Week. The Knights pride themselves on wearing as much Scarlet and Gold clothing as possible during Red & Gold days. There are two Tolo dances per year, and in 2006 the Senior class raised so much money that their Prom was free to students, and it took place at the Space Needle in Seattle.
For the year 2007, a dance Glowlo will be held on March 24th, 2007.
[edit] Music
Newport High School offers a number of music classes including band, orchestra, choir, piano, and guitar classes. Also offered is an AP music theory class. The Newport band program has a marching program during the fall season, a jazz program with a competition season through winter into spring, and also three concert bands. The band program is well disciplined and very good.
The Newport jazz program is especially successful, following a trip to New York City by the Newport Jazz Ensemble I. The trip was due in part to the band's acceptance into the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival[5]. in 2006.
The Newport Orchestra program has also had a great deal of success, consistently placing at the Northwest Orchestra Festival in Gresham, OR.
[edit] History
Newport High School was built in the 1960's to accommodate Bellevue's growing population. Prior to construction, students in the Eastgate, Somerset and Newport Hills neighborhoods went to Sammamish High School. The first graduating class was of 1966.
[edit] Famous Alumni
- Chip Hanauer, Hydroplane racer
- Todd Hollandsworth, Major League Baseball outfielder
- Peter Line, professional snowboarder, founder Forum Snowboards
- Mark Pope, former National Basketball Association forward
- Jeff Probst, host of Survivor
- Kyle Risan, Drummer for the local Seattle band, The Divorce
[edit] Links
- Band Webpage
- Orchestra Webpage
- Choir Webpage
- Baseball Webpage
- Basketball Webpage
- Football Webpage
- Cross Country Webpage
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=125
- ^ http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=1360&OrgType=4&reportLevel=School
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12532678/site/newsweek/
- ^ http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/85957
- ^ http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=brief03&date=20060303&query=essentially+ellington
