Charlotte High School (Punta Gorda, Florida)
Encyclopedia
Charlotte High School is a historic public high school in Punta Gorda
, Florida
, United States
serving ninth
through twelfth grade
students. The school is part of the Charlotte County Public Schools
district, with admission based primarily on the locations of students' homes. Established in 1926, Charlotte High is located at 1250 Cooper Street. The school carries the slogan of "Charlotte County's First and Finest" since it remained the only high school in Charlotte County, Florida
for many years until its top rival schools, Port Charlotte High School
and Lemon Bay High School
, respectively, were built. With 1,977 students, Charlotte High School is the second largest high school in Charlotte County by student population.
On December 12, 1990, its main three-story building was added to the United States' National Register of Historic Places
. The second phase of the school's rebuild opened in August 2009, housing all 9th and 10th graders in their academies. In January 2010, the 11th and 12th grade students moved into their academy in the existing renovated 2-story building. In August 2010, the remaining elective classes found their home on the fully complete Charlotte High School campus.
Its distinctive mascot, the fighting tarpon
wearing its boxing gloves, was designed in 1959. The class of 1959 claim to have introduced the fighting tarpon emblem.
hit the Punta Gorda area at the beginning of the school year on August 13, 2004 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing major damage to the school. After seventeen days of hiatus, the students attended Port Charlotte High School
during the 12:45 - 6 p.m. afternoon shift for most of the 2004-2005 school year. Afterward, students were moved back on campus to portable classrooms. Charlotte High made up one of six schools in the county destroyed or heavily damaged; however, Champ's Cafe (the cafeteria), one of the gyms and the auditorium, the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, remained intact.
Despite its sustaining severe damage, it was decided to try to save the three-story main building, a historic landmark. The plan incorporated this building to have its entire interior to be redone, but its facade will remain and the rest of the campus will be built around its neoclassical style. A ceremony took place in late May 2007 for the groundbreaking of the aforementioned building and the new facility that will group up to 1,800 students by class and provide a courtyard inside the linked structures. Harvard Jolly is the architectural firm working on the project.
The History Channel
's inaugural Save Our History
Grant was awarded in 2005 to the Charlotte County Historical Society, in partnership with high school students from Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High School
. Putting aside academic and athletic rivalry, the students collaborated to preserve their community's experience through oral history.
, National Honor Society
, Scholars' Club, SAPS Club, School Spirit Club
(known as the "Blue Crew"), Bowling Club, Future Educators of America, Future Farmers of America, Letterman's Club, Mock Trial Team, School Newspaper, Student Fitness Club, Academic Team, Art Club, DCT Club, Foreign Language Club, Forum Club, Hospitality Club
, Spirit Shop, Model United Nations
, Mu Alpha Theta Club, NJROTC Unit, Drama Club, USAD Club, WCHS (TV production), Yearbook Club, Marching Band
, and Chorus
. The school also has a Cheerleading Team
(varsity
, junior varsity), Cross Country Team
(boys and girls separated), Football team
(varsity and junior varsity), golf team (boys and girls separated), swimming/diving team, basketball team
(varsity, junior varsity, and freshman; boys and girls separated), soccer team (varsity; boys and girls separated), weightlifting team
(boys and girls separated), wrestling team
(varsity and junior varsity), baseball team
(varsity and junior varsity), softball team
(varsity and junior varsity), tennis team (boys and girls separated), and track team (boys and girls separated).
. CHS received and "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2009-2010 school year. The school received a "D" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 school years. The school has received ratings ranging from "B" to "D" from 1999 to 2008. This rating is based on the school's overall performance on the FCAT
.
Punta Gorda, Florida
Punta Gorda is a city in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2007, the city had a population of 16,762. It is the county seat of Charlotte County and the only incorporated municipality in the county...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
serving ninth
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
through twelfth grade
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
students. The school is part of the Charlotte County Public Schools
Charlotte County Public Schools
Charlotte County Public Schools operates all public K12 schools in Charlotte County, Florida . It covers Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Englewood, Rotonda West, Babcock Ranch and surrounding areas...
district, with admission based primarily on the locations of students' homes. Established in 1926, Charlotte High is located at 1250 Cooper Street. The school carries the slogan of "Charlotte County's First and Finest" since it remained the only high school in Charlotte County, Florida
Charlotte County, Florida
Charlotte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 141,627. In 2005, the population of the MSA was 154,030.The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county was 152,814...
for many years until its top rival schools, Port Charlotte High School
Port Charlotte High School
Port Charlotte High School is a four-year, comprehensive, public high school located in Port Charlotte, Florida, US. The school opened in 1982, its mascot is the pirate, and the school motto is "Yes, I am a Pirate." It is operated by Charlotte County Public Schools...
and Lemon Bay High School
Lemon Bay High School
Lemon Bay High School is an American public high school located in Englewood, Florida. It serves grades nine through twelve and is operated by Charlotte County Public Schools....
, respectively, were built. With 1,977 students, Charlotte High School is the second largest high school in Charlotte County by student population.
On December 12, 1990, its main three-story building was added to the United States' National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The second phase of the school's rebuild opened in August 2009, housing all 9th and 10th graders in their academies. In January 2010, the 11th and 12th grade students moved into their academy in the existing renovated 2-story building. In August 2010, the remaining elective classes found their home on the fully complete Charlotte High School campus.
History
Punta Gorda Grammar and High School had an enrollment of 150 students when it opened in 1928. Construction of a new school on Taylor Street began in 1911 due to overcrowding issues. However, by 1926 after the construction of the first bridge to cross Charlotte Harbor, busing increased Punta Gorda's enrollment to 1,000 which in turn lead to the construction of Charlotte High School.Its distinctive mascot, the fighting tarpon
Tarpon
Tarpons are large fish of the genus Megalops. There are two species of Megalops, one native to the Atlantic, and the other to the Indo-Pacific oceans.They are the only members of the family Megalopidae.- Species and habitats :...
wearing its boxing gloves, was designed in 1959. The class of 1959 claim to have introduced the fighting tarpon emblem.
Hurricane Charley and its aftermath
Hurricane CharleyHurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
hit the Punta Gorda area at the beginning of the school year on August 13, 2004 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing major damage to the school. After seventeen days of hiatus, the students attended Port Charlotte High School
Port Charlotte High School
Port Charlotte High School is a four-year, comprehensive, public high school located in Port Charlotte, Florida, US. The school opened in 1982, its mascot is the pirate, and the school motto is "Yes, I am a Pirate." It is operated by Charlotte County Public Schools...
during the 12:45 - 6 p.m. afternoon shift for most of the 2004-2005 school year. Afterward, students were moved back on campus to portable classrooms. Charlotte High made up one of six schools in the county destroyed or heavily damaged; however, Champ's Cafe (the cafeteria), one of the gyms and the auditorium, the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, remained intact.
Despite its sustaining severe damage, it was decided to try to save the three-story main building, a historic landmark. The plan incorporated this building to have its entire interior to be redone, but its facade will remain and the rest of the campus will be built around its neoclassical style. A ceremony took place in late May 2007 for the groundbreaking of the aforementioned building and the new facility that will group up to 1,800 students by class and provide a courtyard inside the linked structures. Harvard Jolly is the architectural firm working on the project.
The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
's inaugural Save Our History
Save Our History
Save Our History is a program sponsored by The History Channel. It is a national history education and preservation program that raises awareness and support for preserving local and national heritage. It is partnered with Preserve America, a White House initiative created by Laura Bush on March 3,...
Grant was awarded in 2005 to the Charlotte County Historical Society, in partnership with high school students from Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High School
Port Charlotte High School
Port Charlotte High School is a four-year, comprehensive, public high school located in Port Charlotte, Florida, US. The school opened in 1982, its mascot is the pirate, and the school motto is "Yes, I am a Pirate." It is operated by Charlotte County Public Schools...
. Putting aside academic and athletic rivalry, the students collaborated to preserve their community's experience through oral history.
Extra curricular activities
Charlotte High School has a Student Government Association, Interact Club, Key ClubKey Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
, Scholars' Club, SAPS Club, School Spirit Club
School Spirit
School Spirit is a 1985 comedy film about high school student who is killed in a car accident and returns as a ghost to haunt his school. The film was directed by Alan Holleb, and stars Tom Nolan, Roberta Collins, and Larry Linville....
(known as the "Blue Crew"), Bowling Club, Future Educators of America, Future Farmers of America, Letterman's Club, Mock Trial Team, School Newspaper, Student Fitness Club, Academic Team, Art Club, DCT Club, Foreign Language Club, Forum Club, Hospitality Club
Hospitality Club
The Hospitality Club is an international, Internet-based hospitality service of appr. 300,000 members in 226 countries Its members use the website HospitalityClub.org to coordinate accommodation and other services, such as guiding or regaling travelers....
, Spirit Shop, Model United Nations
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
, Mu Alpha Theta Club, NJROTC Unit, Drama Club, USAD Club, WCHS (TV production), Yearbook Club, Marching Band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
, and Chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. The school also has a Cheerleading Team
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
(varsity
Varsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
, junior varsity), Cross Country Team
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
(boys and girls separated), Football team
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
(varsity and junior varsity), golf team (boys and girls separated), swimming/diving team, basketball team
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
(varsity, junior varsity, and freshman; boys and girls separated), soccer team (varsity; boys and girls separated), weightlifting team
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...
(boys and girls separated), wrestling team
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
(varsity and junior varsity), baseball team
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
(varsity and junior varsity), softball team
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
(varsity and junior varsity), tennis team (boys and girls separated), and track team (boys and girls separated).
Academics
The school's curriculum is greatly based on the Sunshine State StandardsSunshine State Standards
The Sunshine State Standards are broad statements that describe what a child should know and be able to do at every grade level. These standards cover seven content areas: social studies, science, language arts, health/physical education, the arts, foreign language, and mathematics...
. CHS received and "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2009-2010 school year. The school received a "D" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 school years. The school has received ratings ranging from "B" to "D" from 1999 to 2008. This rating is based on the school's overall performance on the FCAT
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or the FCAT , is the standardized test used in the primary and secondary public schools of Florida...
.
Notable people
- Alumni
- Jeff CorsalettiJeff CorsalettiJeffrey A. Corsaletti is an American professional baseball outfielder.- Early life :Corsaletti grew up in Port Charlotte, Florida and attended Charlotte High School where he was a standout in baseball and football.-College:...
— professional baseball player who currently plays for the Portland Sea DogsPortland Sea DogsThe Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
, the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. - Matthew LaPortaMatthew LaPortaMatthew Vincent LaPorta is an American professional baseball player who is a first baseman and left fielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. LaPorta played college baseball for the University of Florida...
— major league first baseman for the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, 2008 Beijing Olympics participant. - Burton LawlessBurton LawlessRichard Burton Lawless is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League for six seasons during the 1970s and 1980s...
— former football guard who played for the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
from 1975 through 1979. Listed as one of the "100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years" for Florida High School Football. - Tommy Murphy — an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
- Jeff Corsaletti