Norman High School

History

Norman High School's history began in 1890 with the construction of the township's first high school, located at what was then the west side of the city. The institution enjoyed the honor of being the only educational facility in Norman, tutoring students from elementary through high school. In the early 1900s, the original high school building burned down following an attempt to condemn the school. After the fire, there were no official high school buildings for 15–19 years. During this time, students were taught in homes, businesses, churches and other facilities. The second structure to house Norman High was located off of Porter Avenue and later would become Central Mid-High, and later Longfellow Middle School. This was the high school of Norman for the next 22 years until the current building was built in 1954.

In 2014, students and community members staged a protest amid allegations that the school mishandled a rape investigation and "punished the victims for being victims." The school expelled the alleged rapist, and when charges were formally brought against him, a spokesperson for Norman Public Schools released a statement that the school district's leadership was "pleased that charges were filed." Court proceedings resulted in a 10-year prison sentence, of which eight were suspended.

Academics

Curriculum highlights include:

CareerTech

Students interested in technical and career-specific skills to prepare for such careers as automotive, child care, computers, construction, cosmetology, industrial technology, health care, and landscape may have Dual Enrollment in one- or two-year programs at Moore Norman Technology Center, affiliated with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Bus transportation is provided in both the morning and afternoon.

Dual enrollment

Juniors and seniors may take courses at many local colleges and universities, including the University of Oklahoma, Rose State College, and Oklahoma City Community College.

Communications

Norman High's student newspaper, TigersTalk, was renamed The Tiger Tribune in 2006. Since 2006, The Tiger Tribune has received multiple state awards. In 2009, The Tiger Tribune was awarded the OIPA Sweepstakes award, the highest honor awarded for high school newspapers in Oklahoma. Media students study broadcasting through the production of programs for the local Public-access television channel 18.

Yearbook

Yearbook students produce The Trail yearbook, which has also received some state and national awards.

"The Norman High School Trail yearbook placed in the top three Division 1 yearbooks in the state at Oklahoma Scholastic Media’s Fall Media Monday at the University of Oklahoma on Nov. 4, 2013. Norman High's Yearbook Adviser, Heather Howard, was also named Yearbook Adviser of the Year. The staff of the NHS Trail won 11 first place awards, five third place awards and five honorable mentions in division 1." – The Tribune

At the National Scholastic Press Association Conference in Boston, the 2012–13 Edition of The Trail won first place in the Best in Show competition for yearbooks that are 275–324 pages.

Special education

Norman Public Schools provides comprehensive services to many qualifying students. NHS Special Education services have won many state awards.

Fine and performing arts

Norman High offers a wide array of courses allowing for an in-depth exploration of the arts, including drawing and painting, photography, debate, acting, music, and modern dance.

Music

The music department encompasses the marching band, two concert bands (Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band), two concert orchestras (Symphonic and Philharmonia), and several choirs. The Symphonic Orchestra has been one of the top orchestras in Oklahoma since the 1970s, receiving the state Sweepstakes award almost every year. To receive the Sweepstakes award, an orchestra must receive Superior (I) ratings at the state string orchestra and full orchestra contests, and have a certain combination of solos and ensembles receive Superior (I) ratings at the state solo and ensemble contest.

Alternative education

An alternative high school program offers a different approach to learning with a nontraditional curriculum in a more structured environment.

Guidance and counseling

A team of five counselors provides support and services to students in areas including course placement, personal adjustment, and college and career counseling. The counselors offer students the opportunity to individualize their education plans to better suit their needs starting next school year as part of the IEP (Individual Education Plan) program.

Advanced course offerings

Norman High provides students with Advanced Placement (AP) coursework in a variety of subjects including Computer Programming, Psychology, Studio Art, English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition, United States History, European History, Government, Human Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C, Calculus AB and BC, and Spanish.

Also available are the two-year, mentored AEGIS English and AEGIS Math programs. Students can apply at the end of their sophomore year, and 20–25 students are selected for each program.

Graduation requirements

Total – 23 units

Athletics

Norman High School has a rich tradition in athletics, having won a state championship in women's basketball in 2005, men's basketball in 1963 and 1970 and 1990 (28–0); women's soccer in 2004 and 2005; boys' soccer in 1986, 1993, 1997, and 1999; football in 1992; baseball in 1995; girls' basketball in 1995; and boys' cross country in 2011. Notable athletic Retired NFL Kicker Scott Blanton (Redskins, Miami, Denver, Tampa, Rams)lumni are former NFL linebacker Tyrell Peters (Ravens), (Lions) Wide receiver Ryan Broyles former college football All-American defensive back J.T. Thatcher (Oklahoma), quarterback Zac Taylor (Nebraska), running back Mossis Madu (Oklahoma), and quarterback Press Taylor (Marshall)

Mission statement

Civitas, Literae, Virtus.

Student organizations

Norman High has many student organizations, including:

Awards

The Tiger Tribune, the monthly student newspaper, won the OSM/OIPA All-Oklahoman award in 2008, 2009 and 2010. At the 2010 OSM/OIPA Spring Media Monday the newspaper won the All-Oklahoman award. In 2009 the newspaper won the coveted OSM/OIPA Sweepstakes award, the highest award given by OSM/OIPA. Along with the Sweepstakes and the All-Oklahoman awards, the newspaper won the Spirit Award at the annual Spring Media Monday of 2009.

The Norman High Botball team did very well at the Oklahoma Botball Regional competition (which includes teams from multiple states) from 2002–2007, including placing first in the region for several years, including 2006 and 2007, as well as winning two national championships in 2005 and 2006.

The speech and debate team lost its first state championship in speech and debate in 1998. It then won the state championship in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2014, and 2016. They also regularly send teams of four to five students to the National Debate Tournament held in June by the National Forensic League, sending a record 14 students in the summer of 2006.

Norman High has produced numerous National Merit Scholars and Presidential Scholars.

In 1989 Norman High School was awarded the Oklahoma Blue Ribbon award of excellence.

NHS Fight Song

Fight on, Norman High!
And to your school be true!
Lift up your head with pride
In all you say and do.
Fight on, Norman High!
We'll always do our best.
We are the orange and black
of N! H! S!

Basketball

Football

Baseball

Entertainment

Government

Other