Duluth High School
Encyclopedia
Duluth High School is a public secondary school in Duluth
, a suburb of Atlanta
, Georgia, USA. It provides education for grades 9-12 and is operated by Gwinnett County Public Schools
, and holds a Blue Ribbon School award.
The school was built in 1958 to serve Duluth
, Berkeley Lake, and unincorporated portions of western Gwinnett County and as of 2011 has approximately 2360 students on roll.
In 1933, Duluth was accredited and was housed in one large building and staffed by 12 teachers. The school property was valued at $35,000. Competent and trained teachers were used in this school.
In the summer of 1935, lightning struck the steeple of the school, destroying the building by fire and classes ere held in old Baptist and Methodist churches while a new building could be constructed.
Until 1938 the school at that time included only grades one through 11 and the 12th grade added in 1954.
in Lawrenceville
, South Gwinnett
in Snellville
, West Gwinnett in Norcross
, and North Gwinnett
in Suwanee
. Included in the building of these high schools were Hooper-Renwick Elementary, Sugar Hill Elementary, Harmony Elementary and Hull Elementary. From these same funds, additions were added to Dacula, Lilburn
, Duluth, Centerville
, Norcross, Snellville, Grayson
, Bethesda, and Suwanee schools.
In the school year of 1957–58, Duluth High School, as such, ceased to exist for the secondary-level (grades 8-12) students. The Duluth High School students were consolidated into a school called West Gwinnett High School in Norcross. The school was located so far from Duluth that parents of many of the students were most unhappy. They demonstrated their displeasure by campaigning for the recreation of a high school in the Duluth vicinity.
The strong parental influence was heard as the people of Gwinnett County voted for a school bond and construction program to begin on a school to be located on Brock Road. Duluth High School would once again be in existence. Before Christmas in 1958, the high school students attended classes at Duluth Elementary School, while awaiting the completion of their new building.
Duluth High School, home of the Duluth Wildcats, is now located at 3737 Brock Road, N. W., Duluth. When the recreated Duluth High School was opened for attendance in 1958, the building consisted of 12 classrooms and an enrollment of 200. The faculty consisted of 10 teachers, as compared to the 150 employed in 2006.
New football stands were constructed in 1966, and the Lion’s Club donated money for tennis courts to be built in 1967 and a new football field house in the spring of 1969. A new vocational building was completed 1970, housing an expanded home economics department, library, and industrial arts department.
In 1986, new additions and renovations included a 300-seat theater, four science laboratories, a choral suite, new art facilities, expanded band room, media center, a new cafeteria, and 24 new classrooms.
Enrollment grew to approximately 1,200. More courses were offered including fine arts, foreign languages, gifted, AP/joint enrollment, debate, and computer programs. The Guidance Department, begun in 1968, increased to a full-time staff of three. In 1984, a “Project Twin City” was conceived to enable cultural exchange between six students from Duluth, Georgia, and Duluth, Minnesota
.
The 500 Building opened in the fall of 1997 with a media center, a main office, and classrooms for Science, Language Arts, and Mathematics. By school year 1998–99, enrollment had reached 2,155.
Duluth’s enrollment reached 2,620 in the 2002–03 school year. As construction began on the new 600 building, 54 temporary classrooms filled every empty space on the campus Approximately 1,000 students would be transferred to a new high school in the area (Peachtree Ridge High School
) in the fall of 2003. Enrollment increased again to approximately 2,000 by 2005.
By the opening of this 2005–06 school year, the campus of Duluth High was brand new. The cafeteria was expanded and was flanked by landscaped courtyards featuring a circular bricked entrance to the new 600 building. The 400 Fine Arts building features a refurbished and enlarged choral room, band and orchestra rooms, and art facilities. The 300 Technology Building houses updated multimedia and computer labs. The four story 600 Building includes the new Main office, a 600-seat theater, and 60-plus classrooms for Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language and Special Education.
In 2004 and 2005, Duluth students earned Hope Scholarship
grants, and the success of the Advanced Placement program resulted in Duluth receiving the 2005 "Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for Georgia" bestowed by the College Board
to schools showing excellence in Math and Science.
Student extracurricular clubs and activities continued to be recognized locally and nationally. State championships in Girl’s Softball and Competitive Cheerleading (two), along with championship soccer keep Duluth’s athletes in the news. The 2005 National Geography Champion came from Duluth. Duluth’s Orchestra was ranked the #1 public high school orchestra at the 2005 National Orchestra festival in Reno
, Nevada
. Duluth’s musicians and choral students hold seats in state orchestras and choirs.
, the second-highest average score in the county. Duluth High has also been selected as the recipient of the 2005-06 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement in Georgia based on its performance and participation in the disciplines of math, science, and technology.
and Peachtree Ridge High School. The Duluth-Norcross rivalry is one of the oldest in Gwinnett County.
The school has won three state titles in competition cheerleading
(2004, 2005, 2007) and has been past state champions or finalists in softball (1999 champions), baseball (1951 champions, 1995 runner-up), football (1973, 1975, 1980 runner-up), boys' soccer (2003 runner-up), and boys' swimming (1998 and 1999 runner-up).
The CLAW Squad (Competition Cheerleaders) was named 2007 Team of the Year by the Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association and 2007 National Team of the Year. They also won the 2007 Georgia High School Sports Association's CO-ED Cheerleading State title, for the third time in the past 5 years.
. The Duluth High School Band program consists of two performing ensembles: The Symphonic Concert Band plays throughout the school year, and the
Wildcat Marching Band & Color Guard, which perform at DHS home and away football games and local Marching Band competitions.
Since 2003 the Duluth High School Choirs have received the highest honor at L.G.P.E. at Festival, also called L.G.P.E., every year. In 2007, the Duluth High School Advanced Women's Ensemble (AWE) was chosen to perform at the annual GMEA convention in Savannah, Georgia.
Chattahoochee Elementary,
Charles Brant Chesney Elementary,
B.B. Harris Elementary, and
Duluth Middle School.
Duluth, Georgia
Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia and an increasingly more affluent and developed suburb of Atlanta. Unincorporated portions of Forsyth County also have Duluth as a mailing address, though this area is outside city limits...
, a suburb of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Georgia, USA. It provides education for grades 9-12 and is operated by Gwinnett County Public Schools
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Gwinnett County Public Schools is a school district operating in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. GCPS is the largest school system in Georgia, with 123 schools and an estimated enrollment of 161,000 students for the 2010-2011 year. GCPS is estimated to be the 14th largest school district in the...
, and holds a Blue Ribbon School award.
The school was built in 1958 to serve Duluth
Duluth, Georgia
Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia and an increasingly more affluent and developed suburb of Atlanta. Unincorporated portions of Forsyth County also have Duluth as a mailing address, though this area is outside city limits...
, Berkeley Lake, and unincorporated portions of western Gwinnett County and as of 2011 has approximately 2360 students on roll.
Early years
Education in Duluth was first mentioned in records around 1880, according to and was called Duluth Academy. It began with 59 students who were taught mathematics, science, and the classics. The first building was a frame structure on the site of the former Duluth Middle School at 3057 N. Peachtree Street. The land had been donated by Singleton Howell, son of Evan Howell, a successful merchant and farmer. In 1907, the frame building was moved to the front of the lot and replaced by a brick building. The first students graduated in In 1912.In 1933, Duluth was accredited and was housed in one large building and staffed by 12 teachers. The school property was valued at $35,000. Competent and trained teachers were used in this school.
In the summer of 1935, lightning struck the steeple of the school, destroying the building by fire and classes ere held in old Baptist and Methodist churches while a new building could be constructed.
Until 1938 the school at that time included only grades one through 11 and the 12th grade added in 1954.
1950s
A bond issue in 1955 provided $659,000 to be added to $1,807,000 of state funds to erect these four high school buildings: Central GwinnettCentral Gwinnett High School
Central Gwinnett High School is a high school in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The school is operated by Gwinnett County Public Schools, and J.E Richards Middle School is its feeder...
in Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the United States. The Census Bureau estimates the 2008 population at 29,258...
, South Gwinnett
South Gwinnett High School
South Gwinnett High School is a public high school in the United States for students in grades 9–12. The school is located in Snellville, Georgia and is part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools system, one of the 15 largest public school systems in the country...
in Snellville
Snellville, Georgia
Snellville is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, east of Atlanta. The population was 15,351 at the 2000 census. The city's mayor, Jerry Oberholtzer, was elected to a 4-year term in 2007. The city's commercial and residential development has grown enormously in recent years...
, West Gwinnett in Norcross
Norcross, Georgia
As of 2010 Norcross had a population of 9,116. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 40.8% white , 19.8% black or African American , 0.7% Native American, 2.1% Asian Indian, 10.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 21.5% from some other race and 4.3% reporting two or more races...
, and North Gwinnett
North Gwinnett High School
North Gwinnett High School is a public high school in Suwanee, Georgia. The school is part of the school district Gwinnett County Public Schools. The Superintendent of the district is J. Alvin Wilbanks and the Principal is Ed Shaddix.-History:...
in Suwanee
Suwanee, Georgia
As of 2010 Suwanee had a population of 15,355. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 67.4% white, 10.8% black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 18.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% reporting some other race and 2.3% reporting two or more races...
. Included in the building of these high schools were Hooper-Renwick Elementary, Sugar Hill Elementary, Harmony Elementary and Hull Elementary. From these same funds, additions were added to Dacula, Lilburn
Lilburn, Georgia
As of 2010 Lilburn had a population of 11,596. The median age was 36.3. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 52.7% white , 16.4% black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 4.8% Asian Indian, 10.4% other Asian, 12.3% from some other race and 2.8% from two or more races...
, Duluth, Centerville
Centerville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
Centerville is an unincorporated community in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. Centerville is located south of Snellville and is situated around the intersections of State Routes 124 and 264....
, Norcross, Snellville, Grayson
Grayson, Georgia
As of 2010 Grayson had a population of 2,666. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 62.8% white, 23.8% black or African American, 0.4% native American, 9.0% Asian, 1.8% from some other race and 2.2% from some other race...
, Bethesda, and Suwanee schools.
In the school year of 1957–58, Duluth High School, as such, ceased to exist for the secondary-level (grades 8-12) students. The Duluth High School students were consolidated into a school called West Gwinnett High School in Norcross. The school was located so far from Duluth that parents of many of the students were most unhappy. They demonstrated their displeasure by campaigning for the recreation of a high school in the Duluth vicinity.
The strong parental influence was heard as the people of Gwinnett County voted for a school bond and construction program to begin on a school to be located on Brock Road. Duluth High School would once again be in existence. Before Christmas in 1958, the high school students attended classes at Duluth Elementary School, while awaiting the completion of their new building.
Duluth High School, home of the Duluth Wildcats, is now located at 3737 Brock Road, N. W., Duluth. When the recreated Duluth High School was opened for attendance in 1958, the building consisted of 12 classrooms and an enrollment of 200. The faculty consisted of 10 teachers, as compared to the 150 employed in 2006.
1960s and '70s
Purple and white were chosen as the colors and the wildcat was chosen as a mascot. In 1962, the original gymnasium was completed on donated land and the school buildings were further extended from 12 to 16 rooms in 1963, and to 18 in 1967, and a vocational building was added in 1971.New football stands were constructed in 1966, and the Lion’s Club donated money for tennis courts to be built in 1967 and a new football field house in the spring of 1969. A new vocational building was completed 1970, housing an expanded home economics department, library, and industrial arts department.
1980s
In 1985 a 5,000-seat stadium was opened and named after Tim Maxwell, the first Duluth resident to be killed in World War II.In 1986, new additions and renovations included a 300-seat theater, four science laboratories, a choral suite, new art facilities, expanded band room, media center, a new cafeteria, and 24 new classrooms.
Enrollment grew to approximately 1,200. More courses were offered including fine arts, foreign languages, gifted, AP/joint enrollment, debate, and computer programs. The Guidance Department, begun in 1968, increased to a full-time staff of three. In 1984, a “Project Twin City” was conceived to enable cultural exchange between six students from Duluth, Georgia, and Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
.
1990s
In 1969, 1971, and 1972, the football team claimed regional championships with North Georgia championships won in 1973, 1975, and 1980. A larger gym was completed in 1989. The old gym was used for physical education classes, additional a basketball practice, and wrestling. The school continued to expand throughout the 1990s as Gwinnett County grew and received National School of Excellence status in 1991, and in 1992 was recognized by Redbook Magazine as one of the “Nation’s Best 140 Schools”.The 500 Building opened in the fall of 1997 with a media center, a main office, and classrooms for Science, Language Arts, and Mathematics. By school year 1998–99, enrollment had reached 2,155.
2000s
A new field house with weight room, coach’s offices, media room, and locker rooms was completed in 2001. A stadium with new home stands and track was completed for the opening of the fall football season in 2002. The press box was named for “the voice of the Wildcats,” State Representative Brooks Coleman. The old gymnasium built in 1962 was demolished and replaced by a large new gym with indoor walking track, exercise room, coach’s offices, and physical education classrooms. In 2003, the new gym was dedicated and named for former Duluth basketball coach and athletic director, Joe Marelle and was officially opened for 2003 basketball season.Duluth’s enrollment reached 2,620 in the 2002–03 school year. As construction began on the new 600 building, 54 temporary classrooms filled every empty space on the campus Approximately 1,000 students would be transferred to a new high school in the area (Peachtree Ridge High School
Peachtree Ridge High School
Peachtree Ridge High School is a public high school in Suwanee, Georgia, USA and a part of Gwinnett County Public Schools. Peachtree Ridge is the only Gwinnett County Public School to use block scheduling; Shiloh High School used to but discontinued it in 2008....
) in the fall of 2003. Enrollment increased again to approximately 2,000 by 2005.
By the opening of this 2005–06 school year, the campus of Duluth High was brand new. The cafeteria was expanded and was flanked by landscaped courtyards featuring a circular bricked entrance to the new 600 building. The 400 Fine Arts building features a refurbished and enlarged choral room, band and orchestra rooms, and art facilities. The 300 Technology Building houses updated multimedia and computer labs. The four story 600 Building includes the new Main office, a 600-seat theater, and 60-plus classrooms for Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language and Special Education.
In 2004 and 2005, Duluth students earned Hope Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship Program created in 1993 under the supervision of Georgia Governor Zell Miller, is a merit-based higher education scholarship that is funded entirely by revenue from the Georgia Lottery and is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission...
grants, and the success of the Advanced Placement program resulted in Duluth receiving the 2005 "Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for Georgia" bestowed by the College Board
College Board
The College Board is a membership association in the United States that was formed in 1900 as the College Entrance Examination Board . It is composed of more than 5,900 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. It sells standardized tests used by academically oriented...
to schools showing excellence in Math and Science.
Student extracurricular clubs and activities continued to be recognized locally and nationally. State championships in Girl’s Softball and Competitive Cheerleading (two), along with championship soccer keep Duluth’s athletes in the news. The 2005 National Geography Champion came from Duluth. Duluth’s Orchestra was ranked the #1 public high school orchestra at the 2005 National Orchestra festival in Reno
Reno
Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Duluth’s musicians and choral students hold seats in state orchestras and choirs.
Academics
For the 2005-2006 year, Duluth had an average score of 1593 on the SATsSATS
SATS may refer to:*South African Theological Seminary*Singapore Airport Terminal Services*Small Aircraft Transportation System*Stansted Airport Transit System*The National Curriculum assessment in the UK at ages 11 and 14....
, the second-highest average score in the county. Duluth High has also been selected as the recipient of the 2005-06 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement in Georgia based on its performance and participation in the disciplines of math, science, and technology.
Sports
Duluth High School currently competes in Region 7-AAAAA and has since 2004. Duluth High School has two rivalries with Norcross High SchoolNorcross High School
Norcross High School is located in Norcross, Georgia. It is part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools. It serves the cities of Norcross and Peachtree Corners....
and Peachtree Ridge High School. The Duluth-Norcross rivalry is one of the oldest in Gwinnett County.
The school has won three state titles in competition cheerleading
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...
(2004, 2005, 2007) and has been past state champions or finalists in softball (1999 champions), baseball (1951 champions, 1995 runner-up), football (1973, 1975, 1980 runner-up), boys' soccer (2003 runner-up), and boys' swimming (1998 and 1999 runner-up).
The CLAW Squad (Competition Cheerleaders) was named 2007 Team of the Year by the Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association and 2007 National Team of the Year. They also won the 2007 Georgia High School Sports Association's CO-ED Cheerleading State title, for the third time in the past 5 years.
Music
The Duluth High School Chamber Orchestra was ranked third in nation after performing at the 2007 National Orchestra Festival in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. The Duluth High School Band program consists of two performing ensembles: The Symphonic Concert Band plays throughout the school year, and the
Wildcat Marching Band & Color Guard, which perform at DHS home and away football games and local Marching Band competitions.
Since 2003 the Duluth High School Choirs have received the highest honor at L.G.P.E. at Festival, also called L.G.P.E., every year. In 2007, the Duluth High School Advanced Women's Ensemble (AWE) was chosen to perform at the annual GMEA convention in Savannah, Georgia.
Clubs & Activities
Some of the clubs and extracurricular activities offered at Duluth include:- Academic Team
- Beta Club
- Chess Club
- Debate Team
- Diamond In The Rough
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Epiphany (Literary and Art Magazine)
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
- Fiddle Club
- French Club
- Future Educators of America (FEA)
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
- Habitat for Humanity
- Helping Hands Club
- Interact Club
- Japanese Club
- Juntos
- Key Club
- Korean Community Club
- Mock Trial
- Model United Nations
- National German Honor Society
- National Honor Society
- NJROTC
- Pay It Forward
- Red Cross Club
- Robotics Club
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
- Science Olympiad
- Spanish Club
- Student Council
- Table Tennis Club
- Tae Kwon Do
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
Campus
The Duluth High School campus is among the largest in Gwinnett County. It has eight buildings which are: The Joe Marelle Gymnasium, The Old Gym, The 100 Building, 200 Building, 300 Building, 400 Building, 500 Building, and the 600 Building. The 100 Builidng houses Chemistry and the NJROTC, along with the attendance office on the first floor, and the Cafeteria on the lower floor. The 200 building is one floor, housing the athletic office, and foreign language classrooms. The 300 Building is home to Home Economics and Technology classrooms, along with the counseling office. The 400 (Fine Arts) Building houses the Orchestra, Chorus, and Band Rooms. The 500 Building houses many senior classes, along with the Library on the first floor. The 600 Building houses many freshmen and sophomore classes, along with the auditorium, main office, and the main entrance. The Building is the tallest on campus, with four floors. The Joe Marelle Gymnasium is two floors, and is a large gym with the entrance on the second floor. The Old Gym is two floors and is connected to The Joe Marelle Gym. The Joe Marelle Gym, The Old Gym, and Cecil Morris Football Field are split off from the 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 buildings by the bus lane. Behind the two gyms are the student parking lots. The teacher parking lots are adjacent to the 600 building. There are three student, and two teacher parking lots.Feeder Schools
Schools that provide students for Duluth High School include Berkeley Lake Elementary,Chattahoochee Elementary,
Charles Brant Chesney Elementary,
B.B. Harris Elementary, and
Duluth Middle School.
Notable alumni
- Nick GreenNick GreenNicholas Anthony Green is an American professional baseball infielder for the Texas Rangers, currently playing in Round Rock, TX for the Round Rock Express, Triple A team of the Rangers...
(Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
infielder) - Brian McCann (Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
catcher) - George RogersGeorge Rogers (American football)George Washington Rogers is a former American football player who achieved distinction in both the college and professional ranks as a running back...
(1980 Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner) - James DashnerJames DashnerJames Dashner is an American author of children's fantasy series and adult books, including The 13th Reality series and the Jimmy Fincher Saga. His novel The Journal of Curious Letters was chosen for a 2008 Borders Original Voices pick...
(Author) - David Kamayor (Politician)