Boca Raton High School

Boca Raton Community High School is a public, coeducational high school that is part of the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida. The school has been rated an "A" school each consecutive year by the Florida Department of Education since the year 2004. In 2008, Boca High ranked 142 in the Newsweek list of the 1,000 Top High Schools. [ [http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380 Newsweek Ranking] ]

The school is located at 1501 N.W. 15th Ct., Boca Raton, FL 33486 [ [1501 N.W. 15th Ct., Boca Raton, FL 33486 Boca High School Location] ] .

Campus

In 2002, the school was almost entirely demolished, and then reconstructed as a new, fully functional, state-of-the-art campus. The only thing that was not demolished at that time was the then-13-year old science building, as per decision of then-County Commissioner Charlie Crist [ [http://www.bocabobcats.com/BocaHighArticle15.html BocaHighArticle15 ] ] . In mid-2006, however, a new science building was built on the opposite side of campus, and, in 2007, the old building was torn down to create more room for future rennovations.

In August 2007, the building of a new stadium began, and it is expected to finish by July of 2008. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the stadium will feature FieldTurf, a type of artificial turf with a thin, blade-like carpet that will allow use no matter what the weather. The new turf is also twice as soft as the previous field, so falling on it is safer [ [http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/local/sfl-flstadium0518pnjun02,0,2350226.story New Stadium for Boca Raton Community High School] ] . The installation of the artificial turf is the first for any school in the Palm Beach County School District, according to Jim Cartmill, assistant director of program management with the School Board.

The stadium will also feature a nine-lane track, bleachers that stretch from goal line to goal line (for the home team fans)and from 10-yard line to 10-yard line (for visitors), with seating for up to 4,025 people. That's about 1,000 more seats than the old stadium held. The stadium will be accessible to the handicapped. It will also have a pole vault and high jump, along with seven new lighted tennis courts and a swimming pool [ [http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/local/sfl-flstadium0518pnjun02,0,2350226.story New Stadium] ] .

Student body

As of 2008, the principal is Dr. Geoff McKee, who has been principal since 2004.

Statistics

*Student-Teacher ratio is 1:17.
*41% of teachers have Advanced Degrees.
*The average number of years teachers spend teaching is 10.

Student ethnicity

Student Ethnicity is as follows: [ [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/fl/other/2258#students Student Ethnicity] ]

* White 62%
* Hispanic 19%
* Black 12%
* Multiracial 4%
* Asian/Pacific Islander 3%
* American Indian/Alaskan Native <1%

Student subgroups

Statistics: [ [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/fl/other/2258#students Student Subgroups] ]

*Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 21%
*Students with disabilities 11%
*Gifted students 2%
*English language learners 6%

Academics

FCAT scores

"2008 Passing Rate:" [ [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/achievement/fl/2258#from..Tab 2008 FCAT Scores] ]

Grade 9
* Reading 90%
* Math 82%

Grade 10
* Reading 96%
* Math 87%
* Writing 88%

Grade 11
* Science 83%

STEM Program

Boca High is known for its magnet program, called STEM. This stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Advanced placement

In 2006-2007 students at this school took Advanced Placement (AP) exams in the following areas: [ [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/fl/other/2258#toc Advanced Placement Information] ]
*Art History
*Art: Studio 2-D Design
*Art: Studio 3-D Design
*Art: Studio Drawing
*Biology
*Calculus AB
*Calculus BC
*Chemistry
*Computer Science A
*Economics: Macro
*Economics: Micro
*English Language & Composition
*English Literature & Composition
*Environmental Science
* European History
* French Language
*Geography: Human
*Government & Politics: U.S.
*Italian Language and Culture
*Music Theory
*Physics B
*Psychology
*Spanish Language
*Spanish Literature
*U.S. History

Athletics

The mascot is a Bobcat, and the school colors are blue and gold.

There has been a history of competetive rivalry with the neighboring high school, Spanish River Community High School, in football. In soccer, however, the rivalry is with Saint Andrew's School (Boca Raton, Florida).

Types of sports offered

"As of 2008:"
*Baseball: Junior Varsity, Varsity
*Basketball: Girls', Boys'- Freshman, Junior Varsity, Varsity
*Bowling: Girls', Boys'- Varsity
*Cross-Country
*Football: Freshman, Junior Varsity, Varsity
*Intermural Flag Football
*Lacrosse: Girls', Boys'
*Soccer: Girls', Boys'- Junior Varsity, Varsity
*Swimming
*Tennis
*Track/Field
*Water Polo: Girls', Boys'

Achievements

Swimming:
*In 2008, after two years of near misses, the girls' team won the state championship. The boys' team placed 37th in 2007, and followed with third in 2008; the second-highest finish in school history [ [http://www.bocanews.com/news/sports/3311-boca-high-swim-team-celebrates-state-title.php 2008 State Title] ] . As of 2008, the swim team is coached by Eric Hill.

NJROTC

The Bobcat Battalion was started in 1994 by LCDR Bingham USN (ret). It has since become one of the best in the nation. [ [http://www.bocanjrotc.org Boca Raton Community High NJROTC] ] The Battalion consists of three companies, with approximately 150 cadets in the unit.

Recognition:
*2nd Place 2007 Navy Nationals in Pensacola
*2nd Place 2007 Florida State Championship
*2nd Place 2006 Navy Nationals in Pensacola
*3rd Place 2006 Florida State Championship
*4th Place at 2005 Navy Nationals in Pensacola
*2nd Place, 2005 Florida State Championship
*6th Place at 2004 Navy Nationals in Pensacola
*1st Place at 2004 Florida State Championship
*3rd Place at 2003 Navy Nationals in Pensacola
*2002 Top NJROTC Unit in Area 7
*2nd Place at 2001 Navy Nationals in Pensacola
*3rd Place at 2000 Navy Nationals in Chicago
*3rd Place at 1999 Navy Nationals in Chicago
*2nd Place at 1998 Navy Nationals in San Diego
*5th Place at 1997 Navy Nationals in College Station Texas

External links

* [http://www.bobcatnews.com Boca Raton Community High School Homepage]
* [http://www.bobcatstogetherwewill.org Official Bobcats Football Website]
* [http://www.bocanjrotc.org JROTC Website]
* [http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us School District of Palm Beach County Homepage]
* [http://www.eteamz.com/BRHSBobcatsLacrosse/index.cfm? Bobcat Lacrosse]

References