School type Public High School Status Open Principal Buddy Thomas Phone +1 863-648-3566 Motto Prompt, Polite, Prepared | Established 1993 School code 100894 Faculty 123 Founded 1993 | |
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Similar Lakeland Senior High Sch, Bartow High School, Polk State College ‑ Lakeland, Tenoroc High School, Highlands Grove Elementa | ||
George W. Jenkins High School serves Lakeland, FL, a city with a population of 94,000 and a surrounding community of more than 600,000. The school, more commonly known to its students as "George Jenkins" or "Jenkins," is part of the Polk County School system.
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It was founded in 1993 and named after George W. Jenkins, founder of Publix, the Lakeland-based supermarket chain. The school was opened to relieve overcrowding at Lakeland High School, Kathleen High School, and Bartow High School. The $25 million campus sits on ninety-five acres in the southeast corner of Lakeland.
The school's mascot is Louie the Eagle and its colors are green and gold.
Students/faculty
George W. Jenkins High School has 2,293 students and 123 teachers. The school has produced twenty-two National Merit Scholar finalists since its second operating year, 1994. The school year is divided into two, eighteen-week semesters. Each student attends four classes per day, with three alternating every other day on a block schedule.
National test scores
SAT Scores (218 Students, 2006–2007)
ACT Scores (153 Students, 2006–2007)
Athletics
George Jenkins offers students more than 18 sports during Fall, Spring and Winter. Some of the school's sports offerings include football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, cross country/track, boys soccer, wrestling, swimming and volleyball.
George Jenkins has won two state titles in its school history, one in 1998 by the Boys Tennis team and the other one by the Girls Soccer team on February 13, 2008. The soccer team defeated Satellite High School to capture the Class 5A State Championship. George Jenkins is represented by its Dream Maker band at all large sporting activities. Also, George Jenkins is represented by the ensemble Golden Harmony, who sings the National Anthem at most sporting activities.
Notable alumni
Administration
The school's principal is Buddy Thomas, an educator with more than 30 years experience. George Jenkins' administrative staff also consists of two assistant principals and five deans (of academics, athletics, attendance, and two of students).
Lake Region High School, in Winter Haven, FL, is modeled after George Jenkins.
2006 State of Florida Academic FCAT Performance Grade: B
2006 State of Florida Academic "Adequate Yearly Progress": Yes