Cleveland Junior Naval Academy (also known as Cleveland High School) is a magnet military academy high school in St. Louis, Missouri and is a part of the St. Louis Public Schools. Cleveland High School opened in 1915 as a comprehensive high school, merging with the Junior Naval Academy in 1984. The Junior Naval Academy was a magnet military academy, founded in 1981. In 2006, the school moved from its original location on Louisiana Avenue (38.5777°N 90.2429°W / 38.5777; -90.2429) to the Pruitt Military Academy building on North 22nd Street, then, in 2010, it moved from Pruitt to the Southwest High School building at Arsenal and Kingshighway.
Events and celebration
Homecoming is a traditional homecoming festival, including a football game, parade, and dance. The parades are held on Saturday morning of the weekend designated for the homecoming football game. The parade route is usually in the school's neighborhood. The dance is held that same Saturday, in the Field House, one of Cleveland High School's old buildings.
Pass-in-Review is an event held in the spring, usually near the end of April. The event begins with a visitation by a high ranking Navy Officer, who spends a couple of days inspecting the individual platoons in the regiment. On the Friday after the Regimental Inspection, the Regiment is formed up on the nearby parade ground to perform the various procedures (i.e. Report-in, Parade the Colors, Guest Speaker, Drill Teams etc.) The ceremony commences with the regiment parading past the military and civilian dignitaries in the review stand.
Naval Ball is held in May. The Naval Ball is the school's version of a Prom, and is open to all Cadets (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.) Male cadets wear the Military Service Dress Uniform. Female cadets wear the military service Dress Uniform, or they have the option of wearing formal dresses or gowns.
As a Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps NJROTC unit, cadets are offered many experiences that are only offered through the NJROTC program.
During the spring of their freshman year, Delta cadets may attend a 5-day training course in Tullahoma, TN called Mini-Boot Camp. Mini-Boot Camp emphasizes one must be a good follower to be a good leader. Cadets receive two ribbons after completion.
During the summer break between their freshman and sophomore years, cadets are offered a 3 week course called Platoon Commander and MAA school. Cadets are taught the fundamentals of drill and small group leadership. Most cadets that complete this course go on to be platoon commanders or Master at Arms.
During the summer break between sophomore and junior years, SELECT cadets are offered to go to the Area Nine Leadership Academy in Tullahoma, TN. This is the most prestigious and honorable course offered. Cadets are taught all of the essentials of being a leader. They are taught drill with swords and guide-ons, military courtesy, proper procedures for military banquets, leadership skills, emphasis on physical fitness etc. Cadets who attend are the top cadets in their unit. Normally, Cleveland sends five to eight cadets. In general, NJROTC cadets that attend become the commanding and executive officers of their units. Upon completion of Leadership Academy, cadets are rewarded the silver aigrette which is the only aigrette nationally recognized by the NJROTC program.
For the 2011–2012 school year, the school offered 17 activities approved by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA): baseball, boys and girls basketball, sideline cheer leading, boys and girls cross country, 11-man football, boys and girls soccer, softball, boys and girls tennis, boys and girls track and field, girls volleyball, wrestling, and speech and debate. In addition to its current activities, Cleveland students have won several state championships, including:
Baseball: 1958
Boys Basketball: 1953
Girls Basketball: 1983
Boys Cross Country: 1949
Boys Swimming and Diving: 1942, 1948, 1955
The school also has produced two individual wrestling state champions.
Bennie Anderson: American football offensive guard, played for the Miami Dolphins
Bob Broeg, journalist, baseball Hall of Fame inductee
Harry Keough: member of the United States men's national soccer team
Phyllis Smith: film and television actress, played Phyllis Lapin-Vance on The Office
Lou Thesz: NWA World Heavyweight Champion professional wrestler
