George W. Jenkins High School
Encyclopedia
George W. Jenkins High School serves Lakeland, FL, a city with a population of 94,000 and a surrounding community of more than 600,000. The school, more commonly known to its students as "George Jenkins" or "Jenkins," is part of the Polk County
School system. It was founded in 1993 and named after Publix
founder George W. Jenkins
. The school was opened to relieve overcrowding at both Lakeland High School
and Bartow High School
. The $25 million dollar campus sits on ninety-five acres in the southeast corner of Lakeland. The school's mission statement is to "provide quality education for every student in a challenging and caring atmosphere through dedication to educational excellence and commitment to the community."
The school's mascot is Louie the Eagle and its colors are green and gold. The school has received the "Five Star School" award from the Florida Commissioner of Education for 1995–1996, 1996–1997, and 1997-1998. The award recognized schools with exemplary community involvement, which is made possible by the more than 30 organizations through which its students can volunteer to help the local community.
ACT Scores (153 Students, 2006–2007)
George Jenkins has won two state titles in its school history, one in 1998 by the Boy's Tennis team and the other one by the Women's Soccer team on February 13, 2008. The soccer team defeated Satellite High School
to capture the Class 5A State Championship. George Jenkins is represented by its Dream Maker band at all large sporting activities. Also, George Jenkins is represented by the ensemble Golden Harmony, who sings the National Anthem at most sporting activities.
The school's principal is Buddy Thomas, an educator with more than 30 years experience. George Jenkins' administrative staff also consists of two assistant principals and five deans (of academics, athletics, attendance, and two of students).
Lake Region High School
, in Winter Haven
, FL, is modeled after George Jenkins.
2006 State of Florida Academic FCAT
Performance Grade: B
2006 State of Florida Academic "Adequate Yearly Progress": Yes
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
School system. It was founded in 1993 and named after Publix
Publix
Publix Super Markets, Inc. is an American supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida.Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, it is an employee-owned, privately held corporation. Publix is currently ranked No. 86 on Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 and was ranked No...
founder George W. Jenkins
George W. Jenkins
George Washington Jenkins was an American businessman and founder of Publix Super Markets. In 1930, despite the Great Depression, Jenkins risked his career and everything he had to start a new grocery store. He named the store, which would soon become a chain, Publix.Jenkins was affectionately...
. The school was opened to relieve overcrowding at both Lakeland High School
Lakeland Senior High School
Lakeland Senior High School is a public high school found in Lakeland, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia.-History:The school was established in 1990 and caters for students from Year 8 to Year 12....
and Bartow High School
Bartow High School
Bartow High School, formerly Summerlin Institute and Union Academy is the only high school located in Bartow, Florida. The school is also the location of the International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High, a school which annually finishes in the top five in composite SAT scores in the United...
. The $25 million dollar campus sits on ninety-five acres in the southeast corner of Lakeland. The school's mission statement is to "provide quality education for every student in a challenging and caring atmosphere through dedication to educational excellence and commitment to the community."
The school's mascot is Louie the Eagle and its colors are green and gold. The school has received the "Five Star School" award from the Florida Commissioner of Education for 1995–1996, 1996–1997, and 1997-1998. The award recognized schools with exemplary community involvement, which is made possible by the more than 30 organizations through which its students can volunteer to help the local community.
Students/faculty
George W. Jenkins High School has 2,293 students and 123 teachers. The school has produced twenty-two National Merit Scholar finalists since its second operating year, 1994. http://www2.polk-fl.net/GJHS/demographicsindex.html The school year is divided into two, eighteen-week semesters. Each student attends four classes per day, with three alternating every other day on a block schedule.National Test Scores
SAT Scores (218 Students, 2006–2007)| Locality | Verbal | Math | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Average | 500 | 509 | 485 |
| State Average | 497 | 496 | 479 |
| National Average | 502 | 496 | 494 |
ACT Scores (153 Students, 2006–2007)
| Locality | Score |
|---|---|
| Local Average | 22.0 |
| State Average | 19.9 |
| National Average | 21.2 |
Athletics
George Jenkins offers students more than 18 sports during Fall, Spring and Winter. Some of the school's other sports offerings include football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, cross country/track, boys' soccer, wrestling, swimming and volleyball.George Jenkins has won two state titles in its school history, one in 1998 by the Boy's Tennis team and the other one by the Women's Soccer team on February 13, 2008. The soccer team defeated Satellite High School
Satellite High School
Satellite High School is a public high school located in Satellite Beach, Florida in Florida's Space Coast, Brevard County. It was founded in 1962, and has been rated an 'A' school in the state of Florida for the past four years. The 2007 - 2008 enrollment for Satellite was 1,414 students...
to capture the Class 5A State Championship. George Jenkins is represented by its Dream Maker band at all large sporting activities. Also, George Jenkins is represented by the ensemble Golden Harmony, who sings the National Anthem at most sporting activities.
Notable alumni
- Lance NiekroLance NiekroLance William Niekro is a former Major League Baseball player, nephew of Phil Niekro, and son of Joe Niekro. Niekro currently serves as an assistant coach at Florida Southern College....
, 1997 GJHS graduate. Major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player with the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Son of MLB 221 games winning knuckleballer pitcher Joe NiekroJoe NiekroJoseph Franklin Niekro was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of Minor League Baseball pitcher Lance Niekro. A native of Blaine, Ohio, Niekro attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and attended West...
. - Justin PhillipsJustin PhillipsJustin Phillips is a Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2007 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders. He played CIS Football with Wilfrid Laurier University.-External links:*...
, 2001 GJHS graduate, cinematographer and editor, of the film Lamp Post Lane. - Graham Hicks, 2008 GJHS graduate, 4th round draft pick by the Washington Nationals.
Administration
Lake Region High School
Lake Region High School (Florida)
Lake Region High School is located at 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake, Florida, 33839.LRHS opened on August 14, 1995. Current enrollment is 2000, the senior class enrollment is 400.LRHS serves the communities of south Winter Haven, north Bartow and Eagle Lake...
, in Winter Haven
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
, FL, is modeled after George Jenkins.
2006 State of Florida Academic 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...
Performance Grade: B
2006 State of Florida Academic "Adequate Yearly Progress": Yes