Loudoun County High School

History

The school is the oldest operating high school in Loudoun County which opened in 1954. County has served a mostly rural population, and remained this way especially after Broad Run High School's opening in 1969 took sections in the more suburban eastern half of the county. However, as the growth of Loudoun County hit further west beginning in the 1980s, and because of rapid growth from that time on, most of County's population has become suburban.

After over 45 years of being the sole high school for the central part of the county, in 2000, County sent most of its eastern Leesburg student base to Stone Bridge High School after its student body ballooned to 1,600 students from about 1,200 for most of the 1990s. Two years later, County fed the remainder of its eastern Leesburg student base into Heritage High School. In 2005, a small number of County students were relocated to Freedom High School and Briar Woods High School. In 2010, Tuscarora High School opened up and took County's Lucketts area students.

The mascot for the school, the Raider, was named in honor of Mosby's Raiders. The original school seal depicted the Raider on horseback with a Confederate Battleflag in his hands. This logo was changed in 1980 to the current design in the face of racial criticism over the emblem. However, when the first new gym was built and the logos were painted on the floor, the original design was accidentally used and had to be removed and repainted. Choosing the name "Raiders" rather than "Rangers" is odd since Mosby's 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry was formed under the Partisan Ranger Act.

In 1957 murals that illustrate important events and times in Loudoun County's history were painted in the Auditorium by the Loudoun Sketch Club. Two subsequent murals were created, one in the 1970s, the other in 2004 (commemorating the school's fiftieth year in operation).

Renovations

County has undergone several renovations and expansions since it was opened. The first expansion occurred in 1966, with the addition of a Vocational Education Wing attached to the side of the front portion of the building (Vocational Education has since moved to C.S. Monroe Technology Center). In 1976, a second gym space was added (which is now used as the wrestling room). In 1990, a new science wing and cafeteria were built in the back of the high school, which allowed the old cafeteria to become the new site of the current band and chorus rooms. One large problem with the science wing was that it was located upstairs from the cafeteria, but was unconnected to the rest of the school's second story. In 1996, a new main gymnasium and girls locker rooms were completed. The new gymnasium can carry about 1,300 people, and the old main gym (which could only carry about 500) became the auxiliary gymnasium. Six foundation based trailers were built to replace classrooms that were displaced by the project.

In 1999, additional parking spaces were built around County because of the addition of eight temporary trailers that were placed on a faculty parking lot due to overcrowding; the trailers were moved to Loudoun Valley the next year when Stone Bridge opened. In 2002, two high school seniors set an assistant principal's office on fire, closing school for a week. Because of the fire's damage, the school had to replace its old-fashioned bell system with an electronic one that the other five high schools at that time used. The main office was renovated before the end of the 2001-2002 school year.

In 2005, Loudoun County underwent its most extensive project in school history, an eighteen million dollar endeavor, which included the building of another auxiliary gym to replace the older one. The old auxiliary gymnasium turned into a new library, which used to be on the second floor. The library's area turned into a new section of classrooms, which eliminated the need for the six foundation based trailers. Additional classrooms were built adjacent to the science wing. Aerial walkways were built, connecting the separated second floors. The renovation was completed in late 2006. It is now one of 3 high schools in the Town of Leesburg.

A renovation of the NJROTC building totalling 3 million dollars is planned during the summer of 2017.

Segregation

County originally opened up as a segregated school for whites. Black students went to Douglass High School. In the 1968-1969 school year, County became fully integrated.

NJROTC

The NJROTC Program at Loudoun County High began in the 2009-2010 school year, after an application for the program was approved. The program draws from the entire county. The program is the first JROTC in Loudoun County, and is currently the newest program in the nation. They are a part of Area 5 for NJROTC units.

Team Competition

Loudoun County's only JROTC program has competed at district and national levels on the following teams; Orienteering, Physical Training, Drill (men's/women's), Marksmanship and Physical Training. The highest placement by any team nationally is 5th by the Orienteering team, and the unit has also had top finishers at the national level for orienteering as well.

The Program

Each year, rising freshman across the county submit applications and register for the program. The registration links can be found on the Loudoun County High School website, however there is discussion that the program will no longer pull students from other schools. Students may optionally take a week-long preparatory program before the school year to achieve the rank of Seamen Apprentice. To come back each year, you must achieve 20 hours of unit service and 20 hours of community service, as well as achieve the designated rank for your year: NS-1's must achieve the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class, NS-2's must rank up to Petty Officer 1st Class and NS-3's must become Chief. For those entering their senior year of highschool and the program, they have unique leadership opportunities to become a mentor to NS-1 cadets or a department head. The designated departments are Admin, Training, Ops, Supply, Public Affairs and Community Service Relations.

The NJROTC building is located on the north end of the school property. It was originally a garage, however it has been transformed to fit the needs of the program. It is nicknamed the Annex.

Accreditation

Loudoun County High School is a fully accredited high school based on its overall performance on the Standards of Learning tests in Virginia.

In 1958, The school was evaluated and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

SAT Scores

The average SAT score in 2006 for Loudoun County was a 1,582 (530 in Math; 537 in Critical Reading; 515 in Writing).

Athletics

Loudoun County offers a wide selection of fall, winter and spring sports including cross country, football, field hockey, golf, volleyball, band, basketball (men & women), gymnastics, swim, wrestling, baseball, crew, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, hockey and track. The raiders are known for an outstanding volleyball team, winning every state title since 2007. Other notable sports include the men and women's soccer team as well as the band program.

Athletic Facilities

The raiders have a stadium which features a 400m track and a multipurpose AstroTurf field used for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Beside the stadium is a practice field on grass which has field goal posts and soccer nets. Other outside facilities include 6 tennis courts, a baseball field, a softball field and a marching band practice field. Inside is a main and auxiliary gym, as well as a weight room and wrestling/gymnastics facility.