North Springs High School

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North Springs High School
School type	Public
Established	1963
Principal	Dr. Vicky L. Ferguson
Students	1,773
Colors Mascot	Orange & Blue Spartan
Location	7447 Roswell Road Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328

North Springs High School is a public secondary school located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. It is the only Arts and Sciences magnet school in Fulton County and is part of the Fulton County School System. Students may participate in the Visual & Performing Arts component and/or the Mathematics & Science component depending on their qualifications and interests. Students participating in the Visual & Performing Arts component study in the areas of Music, Visual Art, Dance, or Drama through group and class activities, exhibits, performances, and community involvement. Students in the Mathematics and Science component can take Math and Science classes that would not normally be available in high school, e.g. Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry

Contents 1 School Information 2 Notable alumni 3 Contact information 4 North Springs Cluster 5 Student Activities 6 Student Government 7 Support Organizations 8 External links

[edit] School Information

North Springs High School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS) and the Georgia Department of Education. The vast majority of the 2005 graduating class (97%) attends a four or two year college, and 68% of the 2005 graduating class are HOPE scholars. North Springs was a Georgia School of Excellence, a Grammy Signature School, and a US News Report Outstanding High School. It was also one of Newsweek Magazine's Top 500 High Schools. It should be noted that the aforementioned awards were given in the past and were meant to reflect the status of the educational institution during the year in which the award was given. Therefore, even though North Springs High School did receive the aforementioned awards, the awards do not necessarily accurately reflect the educational institution as it is today.

SAT Averages

		Verbal	Math	Total
2005	Composite	542	543	1085
2004	Composite	550	558	1108
2003	Composite	532	546	1078
2005	M/S Magnet	612	561	1173
2005	Arts Magnet	554	535	1089
2005	Dual Magnet	631	630	1261
2005	County Mean	520	536	1056
2005	Georgia Mean	497	496	993
2005	National Mean	508	520	1028

ACT Averages

		NSHS	System	State
2005	Composite	22	21	20
2004	Composite	23	20	21
2003	Composite	21	21	20

[edit] Notable alumni

• Usher Raymond - Singer
• Channing Crowder - Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins (from University of Florida)
• John Schneider - Actor
• Verron Haynes - Running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers (from University of Georgia)
• Aisling Sistrunk- Actress
• Mikey Post - Actor
• Raven-Symoné - Actress and singer
• Lisa Zimmerman - Up and coming famous Vocalist, Opera Singer
• Alan Gilmer - Award winning Interior Designer
• Jason Geigerman - Award Winning Filmmaker

[edit] Contact information

• Telephone: (770) 551-2490
• Fax: (770) 551-2498
• Guidance Department: (770) 551-5884
• Guidance Department Fax: (770) 551-2495
• Attendance Office: (770) 551-5885
• Theater Box Office: (770) 512-7197

[edit] North Springs Cluster

North Springs High School draws students from a cluster of middle and elementary school, which work together to complete k-12 education. The cluster includes the following schools:

• Sandy Springs Middle School
• Dunwoody Springs Charter Elementary School
• Spalding Drive Charter Elementary School
• Woodland Charter Elementary School

[edit] Student Activities

Academic Organizations

• Diplomacy Club
• Junior State of America
• Math Team
• Mock Trial Team
• Academic Bowl Team

Athletic & Recreational

• Golf Club
• JROTC Drill Team
• Safari Club
• The High Country Adventure Club
• The Rowing Club
• Ultimate

Career/Success Organizations

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Future Teacher's Club
• VICA
• VOCA

Computers & Electronics

• Anime Club
• Computer Security Club
• E3 - Video Gaming Club
• Technology Student Association (TSA)

Hobbies & Interests

• Asian Club
• Cereal Club
• Chess Club
• Cooking Club
• Bad Movie Club
• LOST Club
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• RTS and RPG
• Secular Alliance of North Springs
• Trash to Treasures
• Younglife
• New Frontiers

Linguistic Organizations

• Latin Club
• Le Cercle Francais
• Spanish Club

Music Ensembles

• Philharmonic Orchestra
• Spartan Jazz Ensemble
• Spartan Marching Band
• Tri-M Music Honor Society
• Tropical Springs Steel Drum Ensemble

Performing Arts

• Film Club
• International Thespian Society
• JROTC Color Guard
• NSHS Tech Crew
• Show Choir
• Urban Arts Club

Science/Environmental Organizations

• Environmental Club
• Science National Honor Society
• Science Team

Service/Volunteer Organizations

• 21st Century Leaders
• Beta Club
• Habitat for Humanity
• Heifer Club
• Interact
• Make-A-Wish Club
• National Honor Society
• Ronald McDonald House Club
• Safety Ambassadors
• SPEAK/GSA

Student Government(SGA)

• Student Council
• Freshman Class Council
• Sophomore Class Council
• Junior Class Council
• Senior Class Council
• Executive Council
• Student Court

(More information about SGA can be found below)

Student Publications

• The Oracle (Newspaper); It has won awards in state and regional competitions.
• The Phalanx (Yearbook)
• Echo (Literary magazine)

Visual Arts

• Art National Honor Society

Writing & Reading

• Spoken Word Club
• Spartan Writers' Circle

[edit] Student Government

At the end of the 2005-2006 school year, members of the North Springs Student Council, a facit of the Student Government, set forth to rewrite the constitution of the student government, allowing it to better serve the students. The changes were implemented for the elections for the following school year, and the new student government began operating on the new constitution in the summer of 2006. The new constitution called for a reorganization of the existing student government. Concepts were borrowed from student governments across the nation to create a state of the art student governing body. One of the main focuses outlined in the constitution was the concept of student advocacy. New branches of the student government were created and old branches were reorganized.

Under the 2006 constitution, the Student Government Association (SGA) was organized. It includes four branches of government. The constitution redefined the Student Council, creating a body of students made up of a representative from each advisement (homeroom) and club presidents. The constitution also called for the creation of a Student Court to review appeals on honor code violations, parking permits, and other minor disciplinary infractions. Students wishing to have rulings reviewed are able to submit a case form for review by five student judges and two faculty judges to make recommendations on. Though the rulings hold no power, the administration does get a report on and the recommendation about the case. Recent cases have led to the court passing rulings on controversial school policies. The four class councils were kept intact by the constitution, though duties for each were outlined in the new constitution. The fourth branch of government was patterned after the original student council concept. The Executive Council is the main governing body of the SGA with officers that oversee the other facets of the government. Officers include the president, vice president, treasurer (who also keeps a book known as "the big book" which contains helpful information and tips for years to come), secretary, an Officer of Student Court Affairs (OSCA)(who is liaison between the Executive Council and Student Court), and a Spartan Officer of Spirit (SOS) (who is in charge of all spirit activities). The council also includes a maximum of five representatives from each grade. The Executive Council oversees a lot of activities and is in charge of student advocacy. They act as a liason between faculty, administration, and students. The Executive Council sponsors monthly "Town Hall" meetings where the student population is invited to share ideas and concerns. Also under the new constitution, new disciplinary measures were created to ensure the council runs smoothly.

[edit] Support Organizations

• Local School Advisory Council (LSAC): provides advice, recommendations, and assistance to the principal. Georgia law details the composition of the council, its responsibilities, and procedures for conducting business.
• Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA): collaborates on projects that benefit students at North Springs and that bring valuable resources to the classroom.
• Friends of North Springs High School (FONSHS) Foundation: is dedicated to supporting the programs at North Springs.

[edit] External links

• North Springs High School Website
• Fulton County School System Website
• Friends of North Springs High School Foundation Website