Acorn High School
| Acorn High School | |
|---|---|
|
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School | |
| Address | |
|
143 Polk 96 Mena, Arkansas United States | |
| Coordinates | 34°38′14″N 94°12′26″W / 34.63722°N 94.20722°WCoordinates: 34°38′14″N 94°12′26″W / 34.63722°N 94.20722°W |
| Information | |
| Founded | 1916[1] |
| NCES School ID | 050007300002[2] |
| Principal | Shannon Lyle |
| Enrollment | 239 (2010-11[2]) |
| School color(s) |
Blue Gold |
| Mascot | Tiger |
| Team name | Acorn Tigers |
| USNWR ranking | Unranked[3] |
| Website |
acorn |
Acorn High School is a public high school serving students in grades 7 through 12 that is located in Mena, Arkansas, United States. Acorn High School is one of four public high schools located in Polk County and one of two high schools administered by the Ouachita River School District.[2] In 2012, Acorn High School was nationally recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School (ED-GRS). The school's athletic teams have won ten state championships.
History
Since 1876, several schools existed in the area near the modern school, first known as "Goardnneck". In subsequent years, various buildings were erected to serve as the school building for the local community renamed as "Acorn" assumed to be named so due to the abundance of oak trees. The first graduating class of Acorn High School was in 1916 with two students.[1]
Academics
The assumed course of study that students complete is the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), which requires students to complete 22 units prior to graduation. Students complete regular (core and career focus) courses and exams and may select Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams that provide an opportunity to receive college credit. The school is accredited by the ADE.
In 2012, Acorn High School was nationally recognized as a selectee in the first-ever U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School (ED-GRS) recognition award program. The school campus includes a 15 acres (6.1 ha) outdoor classroom that includes a vegetable garden and a greenhouse, and students established a protection program for an endangered Ozark Chinquapin tree discovered near the campus.[4] Acorn High School science teacher Kathy Rusert was honored as the 2012 Rural Teacher of the Year Award by the Arkansas Rural Education Association and was one of five educators in the nation named a 2012 National Project Learning Tree Outstanding Teacher.[5][6]
Acorn High School was listed unranked in the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools 2012 report.[3]
Extracurricular activities
The Acorn High School mascot is the tiger with blue and gold serving as the school colors.
For 2012–14, the Acorn Tigers participate in the 1A Classification—the state's smallest classification—within the 1A Region 7 Conference as sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association. The Tigers compete in golf (boys/girls), bowling (boys/girls), cross country (boys/girls), basketball (boys/girls), cheer, tennis (boys/girls), baseball, softball, and track and field (boys/girls).[7]
- Cross country: The boys teams have won four state championships (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001). The girls team won consecutive state championships in 2011 and 2012.
- Tennis: The boys tennis team won a state championship in 2007.
- Track and field: The boys track and field team won a state championship in 2007. The girls team won consecutive state championships in 2011 and 2012.
References
- 1 2 Payton, Ralph (August 27, 1936). "The History of Acorn School #30-1878". Mena Weekly Star. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- 1 2 3 "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Acorn High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- 1 2 "Best High Schools 2012". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ Suarez Falken, Andrea. "U.S. Department of Education: Highlights and Success Stories from the First-Ever Honorees". U.S. Department of Education (ED). Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Teacher of the Year". Arkansas Rural Education Association. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ Crider, Mary L. (April 2, 2012). "Monday Matters: Acorn Teacher Reaps Environmental Award". Times Record. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ "School Profile, Acorn High School". Retrieved January 5, 2013.