User:Lflemin/Homestead High School (Mequon, Wisconsin) sandbox

Mission
Homestead High School's mission statement is, "...to equip all students with transferrable skills, promote academic independence, foster special responsibility, and inspire a passion for learning."

History
The land area of what is now Homestead High School used to belong to the Potawatomi and Menominee Indians. In 1838, the area was removed from them and given to the United States Government. Sales of the land occurred in 1835 and in 1841 Peter and Anna Frank received a land grant for the area. Throughout the years following, the 80-acre land area was carefully protected by the generations following Peter and Anna. Eventually, Homestead High School opened in 1959. Originally, Homestead consisted of 4 separate wings, two music rooms, a small theater, cafeteria, and a gymnasium. Since then, Homestead has undergone 4 renovations/additions. In 1962, another wing was added to the high school. Three more additional wings, the library, a swimming area, another gymnasium, a lecture hall, and an auditorium were added in 1968. In 1978, the school added on a room for the orchestra. In 1998, the biggest renovation occurred. With 28 million dollars from a referendum Homestead High School added one more wing, fine arts rooms, another cafeteria with a food court, an academic support center, a field house for athletics, and a conference room for the district. Along with those renovations came a new heating and cooling system. In May of 2010, Mark Roherty, principal, retired. He had held this position for 20 years. Brett Bowers took his place and is the current principal.

Enrollment
Since 2003, Homesteads enrollment has decreased. In 2003-2004 the enrollment was 1610 and now in 2011-2012 the enrollment is 1405. Of the 1405 students, 0.3% are Native American, 1.8% are Latino, 4.6% are Asian, 6.3% are African American, and 87.0% are White.

Academics
Homestead High School teaches courses within the following departments, Business, Computer Science, Cooperative Education, Engineering and Technology, English, Family and Consumer Education, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies. Homestead High School uses a 12-point grading scale and all honors and A.P. courses are weighted. Also, Homestead does not rank students. The average ACT score for the Class of 2011 was a 25.6. This was the second highest score in the state of Wisconsin. Homestead High School has 96 educated staff members. 90% of these staff members have a degree above masters. In the Class of 2011, 86% of the students are now attending a 4-year college, 5% are now attending 2-year colleges, and 9% are now working.

Scheduling
As of right now, Homesteads academic school year includes two semesters that end with examinations after each. Each semester is 18 weeks and the minimum number of courses a student can take is 6 out of 7 per day. Each of the classes are 50 minutes. Starting the 2012-2013 school year, Homestead will be switching to trimester scheduling.

Requirements for Graduation
Each Homestead student is required to have 22 credits in order to graduate. These credits include, 2 in science, 2 in mathematics, 4 in English, 3 in social studies, 1 in fine arts, 1/2 in health, 1/2 in computer science, 1-1/2 in physical education, and any other elective courses. One credit is earned by passing a course that meets for a full school year. Half credit is earned by passing a course that meets for a semester or 18 weeks.

Advanced Placement (A.P.) Courses
Homestead offers fourteen A.P. classes including, A.P. French, A.P. German, A.P. Calculus AB, A.P. Calculus BC, A.P. Physics, A.P. Spanish, A.P. Statistics, A.P. United States History, A.P. American Government, A.P. Biology, A.P. Chemistry, A.P. Economics (Macro), A.P. Economics (Micro), and A.P. English. There is a possibility that A.P. English Language and Composition, A.P. Psychology, and A.P. Environmental Science will be added to the curriculum once the trimester scheduling is implemented.

A.P. Scores
Of the 530 students who took one or more of the A.P. examinations 85% scored a 3 or higher. All students who took the A.P. Biology exam, A.P. Chinese Language and Culture exam, A.P. Computer Science A exam, English Language exam, A.P. European History, A.P. Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam, A.P. Physics C: Mechanics exam, A.P. Psychology exam, and A.P. U.S History exam scored a 3 or higher.

Honors Courses
Honors courses are also offered at Homestead High School. These courses include, Algebra 1 (H), Algebra 2/Trigonometry (H), American Literature (H), American Studies - English (H), American Studies-Social Studies (H), Biology (H), British Literature (H), Business Organization and Management (H), Calculus AB I (H), Chemistry (H), English 9/Argumentation (H), English 9 (H), Expository Writing (H), French 4 (H), Geometry (H), German 4 (H), Independent Study (H), Latin (4) (H), Multi-Variable Calculus (H), Physics (H), Pre-Calculus (H), Product Development Project (H), Spanish (4) (H), and World Studies (H).

Girls
The girls soccer team received the state champion title in 1992, 1995, and 2007. They were runner-ups in the state championship in the years, 1993, 2006, and 2010. The Varsity Dance Team has qualified for state each year in all routines since 2007. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, the Varsity Dance Team was regional champions for either their Jazz or Kick routine. Every year since 2009, the team has earned a top 5 place spot each year at state. The girls swimming and diving team were state champions in the years 1984 and 1985. In 1983, they were runner-ups at the state championship. In 1986, the girls cross country team earned the title as state champions. The team was runner-up in 1985. The girls golf team were state champions in 1987, 1999, and 2011. They were runner-ups in 1972, 1975, 1983, 2000, and 2008. The girls tennis team has earned the state championship title every year since 2008. In 2002 and 2003, the team was runner-up. In 1983, the girls track team earned the title of state champions and were runner-up in 1982.

Boys
The football team won the state championship in 1999, 2006, and 2008. At the state championship in 2007, Homestead lost to Arrowhead High School. The boys cross country team earned the state champion title in 1967 and were runner-ups in 1991 and 1998. In 1996 and 2006, the boys golf team earned the title of state champions. They were runner-ups in 1985 and 2004. In 1974, 1978, and 1994, the baseball team won the state championship. In 2003 they were the runner-up. The boys tennis team was runner-up at the state championship in 2003, 2006, 2010, and 2011. In 1964 and 2010, the boys track and field team were state champions. In 1993 and 1999, the boys soccer team were state champions. They were runner-up in 1998.



State Titles

 * Football – 1999, 2006, 2009.
 * Soccer (girls) - 1992, 1995, 2007.
 * Soccer (boys) - 1993, 1999.
 * Swimming and Diving (girls) - 1984, 1985.
 * Cross Country (girls) - 1986.
 * Cross Country (boys) - 1967.
 * Golf (girls) - 1987, 1999, 2011.
 * Golf (boys) - 1996, 2006.
 * Baseball - 1974, 1978, 1994.
 * Tennis (girls) - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
 * Track and Field (boys) - 1964, 2010.
 * Track and Field (girls) - 1985.

Extracurricular Activities
Homestead High School offers activities in which students can get involved in. These clubs, activities, and organizations including the following, Debate, Forensics, Math Team, AFS (American Field Service), Anime, Battle of the Books, Best Buddies, Beyond Impressions, Borealis, Club United, German Club, H-SAC (Homestead's Stand Against Cancer), Junior State of America, Kids for Kids, Latin Club, Philosophy Club, Pursuit Book Club, Robotics Club, Spanish Club, Students Keeping it Environmentally Safe (SKIES), Student Council, National Honor Society, and Yearbook.

Awards and Recognition
In 2004, the U.S Department of Education named Homestead High School as a Blue Ribbon High school. In 2009, Business Week magazine named Homestead as one of the top high schools in Wisconsin. In the Class of 2011, seventeen students were National Merit Semifinalists.