2015-2106 HIGHLIGHTS SCHOOL
• 2016 AP STEM School • 2016 AP STEM Achievement School • 2016 AP Humanities School • Offered 17 AP courses and 628 AP exams • Scholarships for the Class of 2016 totaled in excess of 11 million dollars • LHS hosted the 2016 Relay for Life for our community • College athletic scholarships were awarded to 22 graduates • The class of 2016 had 30 regional sports championships • 17,000 hours of community service with 78 seniors earning Community Service medals
2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2872 2810 2865
Graduation Rate 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 82% 86% 86%
• Three educators were selected as Georgia Power STEM Teachers • Two LHS teachers were awarded the TSA Inspirational Teacher Award • CTAE technology teacher was named Advisor of the Year at the TSA national conference • Teacher selected as a national representative to attend the National Science Teacher’s Conference • Teacher earned an achievement award as a 1st Year Advisor for SAGA at the Georgia Scholastic Press Awards Conference
Two students were selected as National Merit Scholars Three students were selected for Governor’s Honors Program Drama students placed 2nd at Region 1 One Act Play competition Literary Team placed 2nd at Region 1 Competition One student served as the National TSA President and two students served as state officers • FCCLA had five teams compete in state competition and three teams advanced to national competition with the fashion design project earning a gold medal. • TSA, Vex Robotics, FCCLA, and FBLA had students compete at national competitions • Twelve FFA students won eight of the 24 divisions of the agriscience fair in competition at the National Agriscience Fair, having the largest number of national winners. • FCCLA was named as an Honor Roll Chapter • LHS students and teachers were named to Georgia DOE’s STAR EL Cadre • SAGA was recognized for General Excellence and Community Service at the Georgia Scholastic Press Awards Conference • Two students of only 4 in the state were recognized as FFA Stars Over Georgia • Mock Trial students attended competition at Yale University • Mock Trial won a 5th state competition, winning five consecutive years • Two 9th grade students won Superior Awards for SAGA articles at the Georgia Scholastic Press Awards Conference • SAGA won more staff-wide awards than any other school at the Georgia Scholastic Press Awards Conference • AFJROTC competitive teams won 1st place in all events at the Bainbridge ROTC competition • Class of 2016 Georgia Bridgemen band members won 5 Grand Championships • Concert Bands received all Superior ratings at the Georgia Bandmaster’s Association Concert Band Festival • • • • •
Kittyhawk Honor Society
AFJROTC Cyber Patriot
Literary Team
AFJROTC Color Guard
Lowndes Youth Leadership
Anchor Club
Math Team
Archery
Mock Trial
Beta Club
Model Rocketry Club
Camera Club
Model United Nations/Club
Chess Club
Model United Nations
Cultures in Action Club
Munin
Drama Club
National Art Honor Society
Family Career Community
National Youth Association
2014
Total AP Students
392 375 387
Number of Exams
644
628
658
Total Scores 3+
220
213
198
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Paws and Claws
51.2
Fishing Club
Professional Foods Services
French Honor Society
SAGA
Future Agricultural Leaders of
Science Club
56.1
56.8
2016
Competitive Team
2016 Graduate College Profile Graduates: 621
Leaders of America
Off-Broadway
Sigma Lambda Chi
America Future Business Leaders of
SkillsUSA Spanish Honor Society
America Future Educators Association
Student Advisory Committee
Health Occupations Students of
Student Council
290
Honor Graduates
365
Plan to attend a 4-year college
210
Plan to attend a 2-year college
History Club
Association of GA Educators
Huginn
Technology Student Association
Interact
Teenage Young Democrats
International Thespian Honor
Teenage Young Republicans
27
Plan to enter the military
39
AP Scholars
70
Zell Miller Scholars *
331
Seniors HOPE eligible with an academic GPA of 3.0 or better
* with a GPA of 3.7 and an SAT score of 120 or higher or an ACT score of 26 or higher 246 Academic Pathway Completers 179 Fine Arts Completers 389 CTAE Pathway Completers
American College Testing The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, math, reading, and science. The tests measure the skills needed for success in first-year college coursework. The composite score for Lowndes High School Class of 2016 was 21.8. This score reflects a 1.5 point increase over the 2015 composite score of 20.2. The 2016 composite score surpassed both the state composite score of 21.1 and the national composite score of 20.8. Approximately 31% of Lowndes High School test-takers met the benchmark score in all four content areas as compared to 27% at the state level and 26% nationally.
Student Professional
America
Excellence Every Day
The Environmental Action Club
Society Junior Humane Society
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Keep Lowndes/Valdosta
Ultimate Frisbee
Beautiful Advisory Board Key Club
Lowndes High School
Mu Alpha Theta
2020
LHS Total Unique Students
Total Percentage of Scores 3+
2015
Academic Quiz Bowl
Class Cabinet 2017,2018, 2019,
AP School Score Summary
TEACHERS
STUDENTS
Clubs/Extracurricular Activities
Student Enrollment
VNN News Broadcast Y-Club
LeAnne McCall, Principal
2016-2017
Back to the Future In the 2015-16 school year, Lowndes High School began a Visioning Project, inspired by Principal LeAnne McCall. The goal of this project is to guide LHS into the future with input by teachers, students, and parents. Stakeholder meetings were held and five areas were identified to revamp, restructure, and revitalize our school. These areas include: campus beautification, student recognition, freshmen orientation, VIP redesign, and parent and community involvement. Committees were formed for each targeted area, and teachers volunteered to chair, co-chair, or serve on committees. Through the work of teachers, parents, students, community volunteers, the vision is in the beginning stages of fruition. As LHS celebrates our 50th anniversary during the 2016-2017 school year, we will build on our legacy to guide our future.
Lowndes High School
1606 Norman Drive Valdosta, Georgia 31601 Phone: (229) 245-2260 Fax: (229) 245-2468 Website: http://lhs.lowndes.k12.ga.us
Lowndes High School (LHS) first opened its doors in 1966 as a result of the consolidation of Hahira High School and Lowndes County High School with Westside High School joining in 1969. During those first years, the Viking Spirit was born and continues to thrive in a well established tradition of excellence. The primary objective of Lowndes High School is to provide quality education for the children of Lowndes County in partnership with parents and the community. On a campus covering 78 acres and approximately 500,000 square feet under roof, LHS has grown in enrollment from 805 in 1966 to 3012 in October 2016. To meet the needs of an increasing student population, school leaders constantly evaluate and improve the programs and operations of the school. New construction and extensive renovations over the past ten years have resulted in an essentially new facility. With a tremendous amount of teamwork from all stakeholders, Lowndes High School continues to increase academic achievement. Our scores on the Georgia End of Course assessments have exceeded the scores in our RESA district as well as state averages. We have also increased the number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the number of students enrolled in AP courses, and the number of students scoring three or higher on the AP exams. The rigor and relevance of the work designed and assigned by teachers is the major reason that LHS is well on its journey to “Excellence Every Day.”
Freshman Academy The Freshman Academy, implemented in 2004, provides a small learning community (SLC) for ninth graders to facilitate their transition from middle to high school. SLC strategies provide opportunities for our youngest students to establish a strong foundation for high school success.
Advisement - VIP
(Vikings Improving Performance) A customized student advisement program, Vikings Improving Performance (VIP), supports all students in making their course choices, setting goals, and preparing for the future. The challenge of the VIP advisor is to maintain a personal relationship with each student in order to promote and plan a high quality educational experience.
Graduation Requirements Students must earn 28 carnegie units to graduate from LHS unless they transfer to our school from another high school and are granted a credit waiver. Students must also participate in the (Georgia Milestones) End of Course Test (EOC) (Ninth Grade Lit/Comp, American Literature, Physical Science, Biology, U.S. History, Economics, Algebra, Analytic Geometry), with the EOC assessment comprising 20% of the course grade. Guidance counselors work closely with students to ensure that their chosen programs of study match the requirements of their post-secondary plans.
Grading Grading at LHS is cumulative for the semester. Students receive a progress report every 9th and15th week during the semester. At the end of the semester, the 18 week cumulative grade and the EOC assessment or final test grade are averaged to determine the final course grade. Numeric grades are issued according to the scale listed below.
A = 90 or Above
C = 70-79
B = 80-89
F = Below 70
Parents also have access to grades and attendance through Infinite Campus, a secure webbased tool that allows parents to view their child’s records online.
Block Scheduling LHS operates on a 4x4 block schedule with two semesters per school year. Block scheduling permits instructional designs to meet the needs of advanced and college preparatory students.
Guidance Department The Guidance Department is staffed with 6 fulltime counselors to work with our students. Each counselor advises students in grades 9-12 and is assigned students alphabetically by their last name. Counselors are available for consultation on appropriate course selection, post high school planning, personal/school problems, college/career recommendations, and test interpretation.
Move On When Ready Move On When Ready is Georgia’s new dual enrollment program that allows high school students (9th-12th grade) to earn college credit while working on their high school diploma. The program covers tuition, mandatory fees and required textbooks. Move On When Ready aims to expand dual enrollment opportunities by increasing the number of courses students can take for college credit and removing financial barriers to students participation. The goal of Move On When Ready is to increase college access and completion, and prepare students to enrer the workforce with the skills they need to succeed. (Georgia Student Finance Commission)
Curriculum and Instruction Lowndes High School offers academic courses at various instructional levels to meet the needs of our students, including CollegeBoard approved Advanced Placement classes. Advanced Placement courses include: • AP Studio Art • AP Drawing • AP American Government • AP Biology • AP Statistics • AP Language • AP Literature • AP Calculus • AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science • AP Microeconomics • AP Macroeconomics • AP European History • AP U.S. History • AP Spanish Language • AP Spanish Literature • AP Psychology • AP Human Geography.
Additionally, students may take college credit courses through Valdosta State University, Georgia Military College, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. See Guidance Counselors for information.
Attendance Attendance in school is critical to success. All students are encouraged to attend classes daily and have five or fewer absences per school year. Students must meet local attendance requirements outlined in the Lowndes Student/Parent Handbook (Compulsory Attendance, Lowndes Policy JBD).
Accreditation Lowndes High School is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
