Kirksville High School

Infobox School
name = Kirksville High School


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streetaddress = 1300 S. Cottage Grove
city = Kirksville
state = Missouri
district = Kirksville R-III Schools
zipcode = 63501
country = [phone]
telephone =
superintendent =
principal = Mr. Randy Mikel
viceprincipal =
administrator =
director =
schooltype = high school
grades = 9-12
campus type =
conference = N.C.M.C.
motto =
rival =
mascot = Tigers
school colors = colorbox|Orange colorbox|Black Orange & Black
yearbook =
publication =
newspaper =
established =
enrollment = Approx. 850
enrollment_as_of = 2007-08
communities =
feeders =
footnotes =
picture =
homepage = [http://www.kirksville.k12.mo.us/khs/ Official site]

Kirksville High School is a public high school located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school serves grades 9 through 12, and is part of the Kirksville R-III School District. Current enrollment is approximately 850 students, with a staff of 74 teachers, paras and administrators [cite web|url=http://www.kirksville.k12.mo.us/is/user_info/sh.asp|title=Kirksvill R-III School Dist. User Information (Sr High)] . Other schools in the district include the Kirksville Middle School (grades 6, 7, & 8), Ray Miller Elementary (grades 3, 4, & 5) and Kirksville Primary School (grades K, 1, & 2). All schools, along with the R-3 District offices are located on a large tract of land in southeast Kirksville.

History

While public education existed in Kirksville from at least the Civil War era, there was no separate high school building until 1894. The first purpose-built high school building was not built until 1899. However rapid community growth soon necessitated the construction of a bigger KHS in 1914. This building, near downtown Kirksville, served the community well for over forty years. Post-World War Two growth and influx of new citizens, not to mention the post-war baby boom, pointed out the need to plan for the future. So in 1960 the current Kirksville High School was constructed. Its campus-style design was more conducive to expansions and remodeling, both of which have occurred through the decades, ensuring high education without the high expense of yet another new building.

Academics

KHS participates in the Missouri A+ program. The school has also been included in the list of America's Best High Schools as judged by "US News & World Report" magazine. [cite web|url=http://www.kirksville.k12.mo.us/is/user_info/sh.asp|title=Kirksvill R-III School Dist. User Information (Sr High)] The KHS Academic Team, or "Quiz Bowl" is currently undefeated outside of tournament play. The team has made it to the state competition five times: 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2006.Fact|date=September 2008

Athletics

A new addition to Kirksville High School athletics in 2008 was the establishment of girls volleyball. [cite "The Kirksville Daily Express" Fall sports insert] This joins other sports offerings which include football, boys & girls basketball, softball, baseball, track, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer, and wrestling. [cite web|url=http://www.kirksville.k12.mo.us/is/user_info/sh.asp|title=Kirksvill R-III School Dist. User Information (Sr High)] The Tiger althletic teams compete in the N.C.M.C (North Central Missouri Conference). Kirksville High School have two team-sport State Championships.: the 1984 boys tennis team and the 1995 baseball team. Additionally, KHS wrestling has individual state champs in varying weight classes.Fact|date=September 2008

Traditions

The Senior Tile: The Senior Tile was a donation to the school by the Class Of 1962, the first to graduate from the current KHS building. The Tiger Tile is a 2' by 2' square floor tile featuring a Tiger, located between the KHS office and library. Tradition states that only Seniors may step on the tile and that Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors trod upon it at their own peril. Although violence is not condoned, more than one careless underclassman over the years was known to go home with a sore arm courtesy of a guarding Senior. The tradition of the Senior Tile has been greatly on the wane in the past decade, to the point students often pay it no more reverence and respect than they would a water fountain or bookshelf.

The Seniors' Last Day of School: The last day of school for Seniors typically occurs two weeks before the end of the school year. On the last day of school the seniors participate in several traditions. For instance, tradition states that on the last day of school for the Senior Class that Seniors block off the parking lot adjacent to both the High School and the Kirksville Area Technical School, or Vo-Tech. Other lesser traditions include: a Senior Skip day, a Senior Bar-B-Que in the parking lot, and various Senior Pranks.

Courtwarming: Courtwarming was first held at Kirksville High School during the 1982-83 school year. [cite "The Path Of The Tiger: Kirksville Centennial"] Often seen as a winter companion to the football Homecoming, Courtwarming is a time to honor basketball teams and the wrestling programs. The week leading up to the games are filled with activities including special dress days and a pep rally. A dance traditionally follows the Courtwarming basketball games.

Clubs

Kirksville High School provides students with clubs and organizations in which to participate, including: National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Film Club, Amnesty International, GLSEN (Gay-Straight Alliance), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FCA, Future Teachers of America, Science Club

External links

* [http://www.kirksville.k12.mo.us/KHS/index.htm Kirksville High School website]

References

* "A Book Of Adair County History". Published by the Adair County Bicentennial Committee, 1976.
* "The Path Of The Tiger: Kirksville Centennial". Published by the Kirksville High School Centennial Committee, 1994.