Spanish River Community High School

Spanish River Community High School is a public, coeducational high school in Boca Raton, Florida, USA. It is part of the School District of Palm Beach County and serves the cities of Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

Spanish River Community High School
Address
5100 Jog Road

Boca Raton
,
Florida
33496

United States
Coordinates26°23′46″N 80°08′39″W
Information
TypePublic, high school
Established1983 (1983)
School districtPalm Beach County School District
NCES School ID120150002383[1]
PrincipalAllison Castellano[2]
Teaching staff119.00 (FTE) (2021–22)[3]
Grades9–12
GenderCo-education
Enrollment2,757 (2021–22)[3]
Student to teacher ratio20.97 (2021–22)[3]
CampusSuburban
Color(s)  Blue
  White
  Silver
Athletics conferenceFHSAA
MascotShark
NicknameSharks
RivalsBoca High Bobcats, Olympic Heights Lions
AccreditationSACS (AdvancED)
NewspaperThe Galleon
YearbookThe Tiburon
AffiliationsNASSP, CB
Websitewww.spanishriverhs.org

History

Spanish River Community High School opened in the fall of 1983, graduating its first senior class in 1985. It was founded with the objective of relieving the crowding at Boca Raton Community High School and to anticipate the future growth in the population of suburban Boca Raton.[4]

It began operations under the direction of principal Dr. William Pinder (1982-1986), who was appointed in 1982 to oversee the staffing and opening of the school.[5]

Although the campus was initially isolated and surrounded by farms, it quickly filled beyond capacity as the neighboring area rapidly developed. Additional classroom space was constructed in 1985 and again in 1988. In 2010, the campus expanded again, as the district completed construction on the Countess de Hoernle Auditorium.[6]

Academics

Spanish River Community High School offers various Advanced Placement (AP) courses. It also has four specialized academies: American History & Law, Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Early Childhood.[7]

It was rated an "A" school by the Florida Department of Education in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006. The school earned the rate of "A" based on student performance on the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) in 2018 and 2019.[8]

Programs

The school has four specialized academies: American History and Law, Biotechnology, Early Childhood, and Entrepreneurship.

In 2005, Spanish River was selected by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to host the Institute's first high school history program in the Southeastern United States. With this support, the school implemented a four-year American history course and a companion legal studies program.[9]

The program also includes a unique Saturday Academy for middle and high school students, that features in-depth courses in American history, which give students and teachers the time and flexibility to study topics that may otherwise not be fully addressed during school hours.[10]

In 2006, the Spanish River Biotech Academy was created in order to attract new students to the school. Initially, classes were held in science classrooms. In the fall of 2008, the school inaugurated a high tech wing specifically for this academy.[11]

Athletics

Spanish River Community High School's mascot is the Shark. The school supports over 19 sports, including: Football, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Cross-Country, Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Tennis, Track & Field, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Golf, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Bowling, Cheerleading and Flag Football.[12]

State titles

The athletic teams have won a number of state titles and championships in:

  • Girls' cross country (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)[13]
  • Boys' soccer (1997)[14]
  • Girls' soccer (1996, 1997, 1999)[15]
  • Boys' tennis (1989, 2011)[16]
  • Girls' tennis (1987, 1988, 1989, 2006)[17]
  • Boys' swimming (1987, 1989, 1990, 1991)[18]
  • Girls' swimming (1986, 1987)[19]
  • Boys' volleyball (2006, 2007)[20]
  • Girls' volleyball (1989, 1991, 1996, 2003)[21]

Notable alumni
Kelly Meggs
Danny Valencia (2012)

Holocaust denial controversy

The Boca Raton area has a large Jewish population, and the school offers optional courses on the Holocaust. The school became embroiled in controversy and national news media coverage in 2019, when remarks of its then-principal in 2018 led to allegations of Holocaust denial.[49][50][51]

In response, he was removed from his position as principal, and the Palm Beach County School District named Allison Castellano the school's principal on July 25, 2019. Castellano is an alumna of the high school.[2]

School rating

Each year the school is rated by the students' performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).[52]

Year School Grade
1999 C
2000 C
2001 B
2002 A
2003 B
2004 A
2005 A
2006 A
2007 A
2008 A
2009 A
2010 A
2011 B
2012 A
2013 A
2014 A
2015 A
2016 A
2017 A
2018 A
2019 N/A
2020 N/A
2021 A

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Spanish River Community High School (120150002383)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  2. Lofholm, Andrew; Susskind, Stephanie (July 25, 2019). "Allison Castellano to become new Spanish River High School principal". WPTV-TV. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  3. "Search for Public Schools - Spanish River Community High School (120150002383)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  4. "SPANISH RIVER TAKES LAST BIG STEP--OVER NEWMAN". Sun-Sentinel. June 11, 1989. Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  5. "SPANISH RIVER CEREMONY A PHILOSOPHICAL OCCASION". Sun-Sentinel. June 10, 1986. Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  6. "Countess de Hoernle: 'My work is not done'". Sun-Sentinel. March 18, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  7. "Programs". Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  8. "Affiliate Schools by State -- Florida" (PDF). Florida Department of Education. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  9. "2018-19 Schools of Excellence - High Schools". Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  10. "Our Mission - Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History" (PDF). Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  11. "Boca schools offer special academies for more kids". Sun-Sentinel. July 21, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  12. "Spanish River Athletics Home". palmbeachschools.org. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  13. "GIRLS' CROSS COUNTRY 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 23, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  14. "BOYS' SOCCER 2008–2009 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  15. "GIRLS' SOCCER 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  16. "BOYS' TENNIS 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  17. "GIRLS' TENNIS 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 2, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  18. "BOYS' SWIMMING & DIVING 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  19. "GIRLS' SWIMMING & DIVING 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  20. "BOYS' VOLLEYBALL 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  21. "GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL 2008–09 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  22. McDonald, Duff. "The Man Following the Money | NYU Law Magazine". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  23. "Jonathan Chase". IMDb. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  24. "Jason Chery, a former Spanish River star, welcomes his chance with Steelers". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  25. "Lance Frazier". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  26. "Jason Geathers". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  27. "Hometown Hero: Scott Gordon". September 11, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  28. "Remy Hamilton". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  29. Robb, Sharon (March 24, 1986). "Boca Swimmer Aims at Records, 1988 Olympics". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  30. La Bella, Laura (2015). Hulu and Jason Killar. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 9781477779217.
  31. "A self-confessed star-gazer, Allison Lefcort paints almost nothing but celebrities". Boca Raton News. January 13, 1998. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  32. "What's next for Brett Loewenstern?". Sun-Sentinel. April 30, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  33. "Former Marine from Wellington arrested in Capitol riots". The Palm Beach Post.
  34. Russo, Ric (February 17, 1991). "MILLS PLUNGES INTO DIVING AFTER OLYMPICS". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 28, 2023 – via orlandosentinel.com.
  35. "Bellisari Buckeye-Bound". Sun-Sentinel. January 30, 1993. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  36. "MARCHING BAND MAKES SOME NOISE". Sun-Sentinel. November 10, 2001. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  37. Kornacki, Steve (March 24, 2016). "Kornacki: Namesnik's Family Finds Life's Sunshine". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via mgoblue.com.
  38. "Spanish River grad makes it onto 'Players' on Spike TV". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  39. "Top 10 Chief Technology Officer in the USA". Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  40. "Spanish River High School's symphonic band placed tops in the spring district competition". Newspapers.com. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  41. "Carlos Guillermo Smith - 2018 - 2020 ( Speaker Oliva )". Florida House of Representatives. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via www.myfloridahouse.gov.
  42. Cainto, Stefanie. "Life In Color". Boca Magazine. p. 107.
  43. "Danny Valencia". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  44. "LaDaris Vann". statscrew.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  45. "GoodBye, Seniors Spanish River High Grad Battled Death To Get Degree". Sun-Sentinel. June 2, 1988. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via Sun-Sentinel.com.
  46. "Al Wallace". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  47. "Frank Watkins". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  48. Russo, Ric (May 19, 2014). "A bookseller's dream: the charming 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry'". Miami Herald. Retrieved January 28, 2023 – via miamiherald.com.
  49. Mervosh, Sarah (July 8, 2019). "Principal Who Tried to Stay 'Politically Neutral' About Holocaust Is Removed". New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  50. "Florida principal reassigned after saying Holocaust was not "factual"". NBC News.
  51. "Spanish River High School Principal Reassigned Over Holocaust Comments". CBS4 Miami. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  52. "Search FCAT Results for Florida Schools". 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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