Cullman High School
Encyclopedia
Cullman High School is the largest public high school in the city of Cullman, Alabama
as well as Cullman County, Alabama
. The school is classified as a 5A school and belongs to the Cullman City School District
.
As of the 2010-2011 school year, the school had an enrollment of more than 930 students and 63 teachers, in grades 9
-12
, with an FTE ratio of 15.6.
Cullman High School is routinely recognized as one of the top public high schools in the state of Alabama
in all areas: academic, athletic, and artistic. The school is also known for offering one of the most diverse curricula in Alabama
with students having over 130 courses to choose from, including advanced academic courses (Advanced Placement, honors, dual-enrollment), specialized career/technical electives, technology/communications (computer programming, television production), culinary arts, home/economics, athletic choices (30+ sports teams), and dozens of courses in the fine arts (including numerous band courses, string/orchestral studies, choral courses, drama courses, visual arts courses, etc.).
Cullman High School is also known for the high level of achievement of its students. Over the years, Cullman High School has been home to numerous National Merit Scholars, Presidential Scholars
, and Horatio Alger National Scholars.
By 1920, nearly 280 students were enrolled at Cullman County High School and an expansion was needed. A new classroom building and an auditorium were added onto the Second Avenue campus to curb the growth in enrollment. The school was nearly closed in 1935 when funding was completely lost due to the Great Depression. Students were warned that the school would close and they would not be able to graduate. Fortunately, the businessmen of the City of Cullman rallied together to raise the funds needed to keep the school open.
By 1940, the school was known statewide as a leader in sports, especially football and baseball. The academic programs were also renowned as being "ahead of their time." In 1949, the various schools within Cullman were taken over by the city and the Cullman City School System
was officially formed. It was at this time that the word "county" was dropped from the name to indicate the school only served students living within the city limits of Cullman.
In 1960, a new Cullman High School campus was built at the current site at 510 Thirteenth Street. The old high school campus was demolished and Cullman Middle School was constructed there.
The present-day campus of Cullman High School has been in the works for the past 2 years at the Thirteenth Street site. The new Cullman High School expanded campus, when completed, will support nearly 2,000 students and include updated facilities. The additions began in 2008.
Phase I of the Cullman High School Expansion Project was completed in the fall of 2010, bringing with it a new $4-million auxiliary gymnasium, a 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) science building addition, and a new football stadium with an artificial turf field and an 8-lane track.
Phase II will begin in late 2010 or early 2011, and includes a new two-story library and media center; conversion of the current library into a state-of-the-art business/career technical center; a second story addition to all of the academic buildings and administration; a new school entrance and lobby; an expanded cafeteria; an outdoor amphitheater outside the cafeteria; complete refurbishing of all academic buildings, the main gym, and the auditorium; expanded student and faculty parking; and potential other expansions and additions.
The math teams also won a state championship in all divisions (Geometry, Algebra II, and Analysis) in 2007, a record that was continued in 2008 by the Geometry and Algebra II teams.
The band program was formed in 1929 and has expanded over the years to include more than 300 total students. Cullman High School is also known for its large percentage of student enrollment participating in the band program, with more than 20% of all Cullman High School students active in the band program. The band has been successful on the national level, and attended the National Adjudicators Invitational in Cincinnati in 2005.
The Cullman High School Bearcat Band performs at every school football game throughout the year, as well as marching in the annual fair parade, performing at the Cullman County Band Exhibition, and participating in three contests per year. The band normally competes in the large band classifications, and has received all superior ratings in every competition it has competed in, including taking home "Best in Class" for AAA bands at the 2004 and 2005 Hoover Invitationals. The auxiliaries (color guard, dance line, and majorettes) are known throughout the state and have won many best in class awards. Starting in the fall of 2011, the Cullman High School Band will start competing at Bands of America (BOA). This a national level of band competitions.
In 2007 the CHS Band marched in the Veteran's Day parade in New York and appeared on CBS Early Show. In 2008 the band marched in the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day parade in Chicago, and in 2009 the band performed under the St. Louis Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2010, the band performed in a parade at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
Cullman High School also has a German Band, performing throughout Oktoberfest; a symphonic band, which is made up of mostly 11th and 12th graders; a regular concert band, which is mostly underclassmen; a jazz band, performing at both Christmas and spring concerts, as well as the annual Big Band Dance; and a pep band, which is considered to be the largest pep band in the state.
The Cullman High School Band also sponsors the Cullman Indoor Drumline, which was formed in late 2008. The Cullman Indoor Drumline competes in both the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit (SCGC), where the drumline has always finished in the top 6, and in Winter Guard International
(WGI) on the national level.
(PEG) station operated by Cullman High School students. The station covers different events throughout Cullman, and it is also the television home of the community interest program Ticket to Cullman.
. Every student in Cullman High School has received a laptop computer.
courses (Note: some of these courses go inactive in certain years due to student demand): AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry
, AP Macroeconomics
, AP English Language and Composition
, AP English Literature and Composition
, AP United States Government, AP United States History
, AP Human Geography
, AP Physics B
, AP German, AP Spanish
, AP French
, and AP Biology
. In 2007, 40 CHS students took the AP exams for these courses. Of those who took the exams, 20% scored a 5, 25% scored a 4, 32.5% scored a 3, 14% scored a 2, and 8.5% scored a 1.
The Advanced Placement Program at Cullman High School is under constant expansion, with 1 to 2 new Advanced Placement courses being added each year. Several additional Advanced Placement courses are available to Cullman High School student by means of online or computer-based programs, such as the Alabama ACCESS program.
and Advanced Placement Exams
.
The 2009 Cullman High School ACT
score breakdown is shown below:
Cullman High School has had at least one Presidential Scholar
, the last of which was in 1998.
Cullman, Alabama
Cullman is a city in Cullman County, State of Alabama. Cullman is located along Interstate 65, about north of Birmingham, and about south of Huntsville. According to the U.S...
as well as Cullman County, Alabama
Cullman County, Alabama
Cullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. As of 2010, the population was 80,406. Its county seat is the town of the same name, Cullman, Alabama. It is a "moist" county in terms of availablity of alcoholic beverages, which means...
. The school is classified as a 5A school and belongs to the Cullman City School District
Cullman City Schools
The Cullman City Board of Education is composed of schools that serve the city of Cullman, Alabama, US. As of 2011, there are 3,017 students enrolled in Cullman City Schools.As of 2011 Dr...
.
As of the 2010-2011 school year, the school had an enrollment of more than 930 students and 63 teachers, in grades 9
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....
-12
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...
, with an FTE ratio of 15.6.
Cullman High School is routinely recognized as one of the top public high schools in the state of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
in all areas: academic, athletic, and artistic. The school is also known for offering one of the most diverse curricula in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
with students having over 130 courses to choose from, including advanced academic courses (Advanced Placement, honors, dual-enrollment), specialized career/technical electives, technology/communications (computer programming, television production), culinary arts, home/economics, athletic choices (30+ sports teams), and dozens of courses in the fine arts (including numerous band courses, string/orchestral studies, choral courses, drama courses, visual arts courses, etc.).
Cullman High School is also known for the high level of achievement of its students. Over the years, Cullman High School has been home to numerous National Merit Scholars, Presidential Scholars
Presidential Scholars Program
The United States Presidential Scholars Program is the highest possible honor for graduating high school seniors in the United States of America....
, and Horatio Alger National Scholars.
History
Cullman High School was founded under the name "Cullman County High School" in 1908. That year, a group of 45 students attended the first classes on the second floor of the Imbusch Building in downtown Cullman, which housed the W. O. Kelley General Store. The building is located in downtown Cullman on the corner of Third Avenue and Third Street and still stands to this day. The following year, in 1909, two Cullman businessmen, George H. Parker and C. H. Stiefelmeyer, donated 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) of land and donated $10,000 to construct a new school, which was located at 800 Second Avenue, which is the current site of Cullman Middle School.By 1920, nearly 280 students were enrolled at Cullman County High School and an expansion was needed. A new classroom building and an auditorium were added onto the Second Avenue campus to curb the growth in enrollment. The school was nearly closed in 1935 when funding was completely lost due to the Great Depression. Students were warned that the school would close and they would not be able to graduate. Fortunately, the businessmen of the City of Cullman rallied together to raise the funds needed to keep the school open.
By 1940, the school was known statewide as a leader in sports, especially football and baseball. The academic programs were also renowned as being "ahead of their time." In 1949, the various schools within Cullman were taken over by the city and the Cullman City School System
Cullman City Schools
The Cullman City Board of Education is composed of schools that serve the city of Cullman, Alabama, US. As of 2011, there are 3,017 students enrolled in Cullman City Schools.As of 2011 Dr...
was officially formed. It was at this time that the word "county" was dropped from the name to indicate the school only served students living within the city limits of Cullman.
In 1960, a new Cullman High School campus was built at the current site at 510 Thirteenth Street. The old high school campus was demolished and Cullman Middle School was constructed there.
The present-day campus of Cullman High School has been in the works for the past 2 years at the Thirteenth Street site. The new Cullman High School expanded campus, when completed, will support nearly 2,000 students and include updated facilities. The additions began in 2008.
Phase I of the Cullman High School Expansion Project was completed in the fall of 2010, bringing with it a new $4-million auxiliary gymnasium, a 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) science building addition, and a new football stadium with an artificial turf field and an 8-lane track.
Phase II will begin in late 2010 or early 2011, and includes a new two-story library and media center; conversion of the current library into a state-of-the-art business/career technical center; a second story addition to all of the academic buildings and administration; a new school entrance and lobby; an expanded cafeteria; an outdoor amphitheater outside the cafeteria; complete refurbishing of all academic buildings, the main gym, and the auditorium; expanded student and faculty parking; and potential other expansions and additions.
| Student Enrollment History | |
|---|---|
| 1910s - 1920s | 45 - 280 |
| 1930s | ~300 |
| 1940s | ~560 |
| 1950s | ~750 |
| 1960s | ~800 |
| 1970s | ~920 |
| 1980s | ~780 |
| 1990s | ~800 |
| 2000s | ~900 |
| 2010s | 1000+ |
Sports
The baseball program won its first state championship in 2002 and has been to the championship series of the playoffs every year from 2003 to 2008, except 2005. The baseball program won the state championship yet again in 2007 and also set a new state record for wins in a season with a 48-7 record. The baseball program has recently won its third state championship and second championship in a row in 2008. The soccer program also won a state championship in 2002. Cullman's cheerleader's won the 5A state championship for 2005–2006, 2006–2007 and 2007-2008. The football program broke the school record for most wins in a single season in 2007 with a record of 13 wins and only 1 loss. It was the first time in school history for a Cullman football team to make it to the fourth round of the state playoffs. In October 2009, they clinched their 3rd consecutive region title.The math teams also won a state championship in all divisions (Geometry, Algebra II, and Analysis) in 2007, a record that was continued in 2008 by the Geometry and Algebra II teams.
Band
The Cullman High School Bearcat Band performs at every school football game throughout the year, as well as marching in the annual fair parade, performing at the Cullman County Band Exhibition, and participating in three contests per year. The band normally competes in the large band classifications, and has received all superior ratings in every competition it has competed in, including taking home "Best in Class" for AAA bands at the 2004 and 2005 Hoover Invitationals. The auxiliaries (color guard, dance line, and majorettes) are known throughout the state and have won many best in class awards. Starting in the fall of 2011, the Cullman High School Band will start competing at Bands of America (BOA). This a national level of band competitions.
Cullman High School also has a German Band, performing throughout Oktoberfest; a symphonic band, which is made up of mostly 11th and 12th graders; a regular concert band, which is mostly underclassmen; a jazz band, performing at both Christmas and spring concerts, as well as the annual Big Band Dance; and a pep band, which is considered to be the largest pep band in the state.
The Cullman High School Band also sponsors the Cullman Indoor Drumline, which was formed in late 2008. The Cullman Indoor Drumline competes in both the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit (SCGC), where the drumline has always finished in the top 6, and in Winter Guard International
Winter Guard International
Spawning from the organization Drum Corps International , Winter Guard International was founded in 1977. WGI is a visual performing arts organization that hosts regional and national competitions for color guard and indoor percussion ensembles. Contests are held in the U.S...
(WGI) on the national level.
CCTV55
CCTV55 is a Public, educational, and government accessPublic, educational, and government access
Public, educational, and government access television, refers to three different cable television specialty channels...
(PEG) station operated by Cullman High School students. The station covers different events throughout Cullman, and it is also the television home of the community interest program Ticket to Cullman.
Clubs
Clubs at the school include Math Team, LEO Club, Art Club, Cats for a Cure, Common Ground Outreach, DNA Science Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), French Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), German Club, Key Club, and Spanish Club.1:1 Laptop Initiative
The 1:1 Laptop Initiative is a project that seeks to give each student a laptop to for homework, school work, and research. The laptop program is one of only 2 such projects in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Every student in Cullman High School has received a laptop computer.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Cullman High School offers several Advanced Placement ProgramAdvanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
courses (Note: some of these courses go inactive in certain years due to student demand): AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn college-level credit.-The course:AP Chemistry is a course...
, AP Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program for high school students interested in college-level work in economics...
, AP English Language and Composition
AP English Language and Composition
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
, AP English Literature and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
, AP United States Government, AP United States History
AP United States History
Advanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
, AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography
Advanced Placement Human Geography is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program in the USA.This college-level course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human...
, AP Physics B
AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an Advanced Placement science course that is divided into nine different sections: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course is equivalent to a one-year college course that...
, AP German, AP Spanish
AP Spanish
AP Spanish can stand for two distinct Advanced Placement Programs provided by the College Board:*AP Spanish Language*AP Spanish Literature...
, AP French
AP French
AP French can stand for two distinct Advanced Placement Programs provided by the College Board:*AP French Language*AP French LiteratureA.P. French can also refer to Anthony Philip French, an emeritus professor of physics at MIT....
, and AP Biology
AP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
. In 2007, 40 CHS students took the AP exams for these courses. Of those who took the exams, 20% scored a 5, 25% scored a 4, 32.5% scored a 3, 14% scored a 2, and 8.5% scored a 1.
The Advanced Placement Program at Cullman High School is under constant expansion, with 1 to 2 new Advanced Placement courses being added each year. Several additional Advanced Placement courses are available to Cullman High School student by means of online or computer-based programs, such as the Alabama ACCESS program.
Testing
Cullman High School has long held a sterling reputation, and this is due in large part to its very high test scores. Cullman High School students exceed state and national averages on many standardized tests, including the ACTACT
ACT may refer to:* Australian Capital Territory, the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia* ACT , a college placement exam in the United StatesIn aviation:...
and Advanced Placement Exams
Advanced Placement Exams
Advanced Placement examinations are taken each May by students at participating American, Canadian, and international educational institutions. The tests are the culmination of year-long Advanced Placement courses. All but one of the AP exams combine multiple-choice questions with a...
.
The 2009 Cullman High School ACT
ACT
ACT may refer to:* Australian Capital Territory, the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia* ACT , a college placement exam in the United StatesIn aviation:...
score breakdown is shown below:
| Subject Area | CHS Average | Alabama State Average |
|---|---|---|
| English | 22.9 | 20.5 |
| Math | 21.8 | 19.5 |
| Reading | 22.5 | 20.7 |
| Science | 22.5 | 20.1 |
| Composite | 22.5 | 20.3 |
Cullman High School has had at least one Presidential Scholar
Presidential Scholars Program
The United States Presidential Scholars Program is the highest possible honor for graduating high school seniors in the United States of America....
, the last of which was in 1998.
Notable alumni
- Wesley BrittWesley BrittWesley Britt is a free agent American football offensive tackle formerly of the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(1981-), former University of AlabamaUniversity of AlabamaThe University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
football player, now playing for the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. - Kurt HeineckeKurt HeineckeKurt Heinecke is an American music composer, songwriter, voice actor and photographer. He is the music director at Big Idea Entertainment, creators of the computer-animated VeggieTales.-Early life:...
, composer for Big Idea Productions who has created or co-created much of the popular music associated with VeggieTalesVeggieTalesVeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
. - Brett HestlaBrett HestlaBrett Hestla, is an American guitarist, bassist, vocalist and record producer.-Music career:In the late 1990s Hestla's band Virgos Merlot was signed to Atlantic Records. After their first release, Signs of a Vacant Soul, he became the touring bassist for Creed after the departure of Brian Marshall...
(1973-), lead singer for Dark New Day; Former touring bassist for CreedCreed (band)Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an... - Zeb LittleZeb LittleZeb Little was a Democratic member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 4th District from 1998 to 2010. He was the Majority Leader and Floor Leader of the Alabama Senate from 2002 - 2010.Little was born in Cullman, Alabama and attended Cullman High School...
, Graduated 1986, Majority Leader of the Alabama SenateAlabama SenateThe Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens... - William E. Towler, Graduated 1998, Media Mogul/Entrepreneur/Part-time Model