Ridgeway High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
Encyclopedia
Ridgeway High School is a Lame high school
in Memphis, Tennessee
and is part of the Memphis City Schools
. Ridgeway High School first opened in 1971, hosting students from grades 7-12. The first class of graduates was in 1973 with approximately 175 students. Ridgeway High School now only houses grades 9-12 with the recent addition of Ridgeway Middle School in 2001. In August 2008 the 9th grade moved to a separate Ridgeway Ninth Grade Freshmen Academy.
Ridgeway offers two basic academic programs: the Standard Program and the Honors Program. To take courses in the latter program, students must achieve certain scores on standardized tests, maintain certain grades, and meet certain course requirements. Ridgeway is known for its high scores and achievements in the city and the state. Ridgeway is considered to be a top school in the school system. Ridgeway is one of the few schools in the school system to constantly pass all required levels by the No Child Left Behind act. Ridgeway was also Best of Preps in 1987 and for seven years running (1998–2005) in the greater Memphis area.
Ridgeway has one of the top special education programs in the Memphis City School system and offers CLUE advanced English and excels in that department.
Ridgeway prides itself on high achievements on both the ACT and the SAT. In recent years graduates have attended Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Tulane University, Emory University, The George Washington University, Wesleyan University, and other top tier schools.
Ridgeway also prides itself on its teachers. 68% of the teachers hold either a masters or a doctoral degree. 100% of the teachers hold Bachelors degrees and a state license. The A.P. program is one of the top in the city schools. Ridgeway offers Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Statistics, American Government, European History, American History, Music Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish Language, and French language.
Ridgeway has recently added two new academic programs to their two basic academic programs: Advanced Placement (AP) and the International Baccalaureate Program (IB).
Ridgeway has a school newspaper (The Orange Peel) created by the Creative Writing Class and an annual yearbook (The Chapparal) created by the Yearbook class. Ridgeway has many active clubs in areas including foreign language, mathematics, science, business, government, music, art, community service, religion, and more. There is an active Student Council, a jazz band, Model United Nations team, and a Mock Trial team. Ridgeway excels in local and national competitions of all varieties. Ridgeway Roadrunners hold positions in the All-West Tennessee Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Ridgeway also have an extensive theatre program producing both a fall and spring show every year with the help of the band and choir departments. Ridgeway also hosts an annual Fine Arts festival put on by the students with the help of the PTO.
The School also has a few special programs including Facing History and Ourselves, Ridgeway - University of Tennessee
summer internships, PLATO course recovery, and Gateway exam tutoring.
Students may wear oxford shirts, polo shirts, turtlenecks, and blouses with "Peter Pan" collars. All shirts must be white, navy and (Tennessee) orange. Sweatshirts must be white, black, tan, navy blue, or orange and be worn over the uniform top.
Trousers, shorts, skirts, and jumpers must be black, tan, or navy blue. Denim clothing is not allowed.
Students at Ridgeway may also wear Ridgeway Roadrunner logo clothing including sweatshirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, and other garments sold through the school.
Logos of any kind, shape, size, color, or affiliation (other than the Ridgeway logo) are strictly forbidden.
All MCS students will now have to wear ID badges as part of their uniform. Due to an unknown complication, many students who enrolled (as new students) at Ridgeway for the 2010–2011 school year did not receive i.d. badges and were not penalized for failing to return their i.d. badges to the school (as per school, and MCS policy).
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
and is part of the Memphis City Schools
Memphis City Schools
Memphis City Schools is the school district operating public schools in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Its headquarters are in the Francis E. Coe Administration Building...
. Ridgeway High School first opened in 1971, hosting students from grades 7-12. The first class of graduates was in 1973 with approximately 175 students. Ridgeway High School now only houses grades 9-12 with the recent addition of Ridgeway Middle School in 2001. In August 2008 the 9th grade moved to a separate Ridgeway Ninth Grade Freshmen Academy.
Ridgeway offers two basic academic programs: the Standard Program and the Honors Program. To take courses in the latter program, students must achieve certain scores on standardized tests, maintain certain grades, and meet certain course requirements. Ridgeway is known for its high scores and achievements in the city and the state. Ridgeway is considered to be a top school in the school system. Ridgeway is one of the few schools in the school system to constantly pass all required levels by the No Child Left Behind act. Ridgeway was also Best of Preps in 1987 and for seven years running (1998–2005) in the greater Memphis area.
Ridgeway has one of the top special education programs in the Memphis City School system and offers CLUE advanced English and excels in that department.
Ridgeway prides itself on high achievements on both the ACT and the SAT. In recent years graduates have attended Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Tulane University, Emory University, The George Washington University, Wesleyan University, and other top tier schools.
Ridgeway also prides itself on its teachers. 68% of the teachers hold either a masters or a doctoral degree. 100% of the teachers hold Bachelors degrees and a state license. The A.P. program is one of the top in the city schools. Ridgeway offers Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Statistics, American Government, European History, American History, Music Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish Language, and French language.
Ridgeway has recently added two new academic programs to their two basic academic programs: Advanced Placement (AP) and the International Baccalaureate Program (IB).
Extra-Curricular activities
Ridgeway is home to one of the state's best high school boys basketball teams coached by Wes Henning. The Roadrunners are consistently ranked among the top teams in the state and have won many state titles. Ridgeway also has a girls basketball team, soccer teams (M/F), promising track and field teams (M/F), baseball/softball teams (M/F), a football team (M; though there has been at least one girl to play), a bowling team (M/F), a golf team (M/F), a volleyball team (F), cross-country teams (M/F), an ultimate frisbee club (Co-ed), a swim team (Co-ed), and a wrestling team (M).Ridgeway has a school newspaper (The Orange Peel) created by the Creative Writing Class and an annual yearbook (The Chapparal) created by the Yearbook class. Ridgeway has many active clubs in areas including foreign language, mathematics, science, business, government, music, art, community service, religion, and more. There is an active Student Council, a jazz band, Model United Nations team, and a Mock Trial team. Ridgeway excels in local and national competitions of all varieties. Ridgeway Roadrunners hold positions in the All-West Tennessee Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Ridgeway also have an extensive theatre program producing both a fall and spring show every year with the help of the band and choir departments. Ridgeway also hosts an annual Fine Arts festival put on by the students with the help of the PTO.
The School also has a few special programs including Facing History and Ourselves, Ridgeway - University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
summer internships, PLATO course recovery, and Gateway exam tutoring.
Demographics
Ridgeway High School is known to have a diverse student body. The enrollment for grades 9-12 is roughly 1,500. 77% of the student body is African American, 17% is White, 5% is Hispanic, and 1% makes up the rest of the population. The promotion rate for the school is 96.5%, and the average class size is 30 students. The same diversity applies to the teachers at Ridgeway. 42% of the teachers are African American, 56% of the teachers are White, 2% of the teachers are Hispanic and one faculty member is Asian American.Uniforms
All MCS students are required to wear school uniforms.Students may wear oxford shirts, polo shirts, turtlenecks, and blouses with "Peter Pan" collars. All shirts must be white, navy and (Tennessee) orange. Sweatshirts must be white, black, tan, navy blue, or orange and be worn over the uniform top.
Trousers, shorts, skirts, and jumpers must be black, tan, or navy blue. Denim clothing is not allowed.
Students at Ridgeway may also wear Ridgeway Roadrunner logo clothing including sweatshirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, and other garments sold through the school.
Logos of any kind, shape, size, color, or affiliation (other than the Ridgeway logo) are strictly forbidden.
All MCS students will now have to wear ID badges as part of their uniform. Due to an unknown complication, many students who enrolled (as new students) at Ridgeway for the 2010–2011 school year did not receive i.d. badges and were not penalized for failing to return their i.d. badges to the school (as per school, and MCS policy).
Theater
| Year | Show | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Footloose | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Best Musical Direction | Dr. Jeff Brewer | |
| 2010 | Footloose | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Best Ensemble | Ensemble Cast of Footloose | |
| 2010 | Footloose | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Best Actor | Prentiss Mouton as Reverend Shaw | |
| 2011 | Aida | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Outstanding Music Direction | Jacob Craig | |
| 2011 | Aida | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Best Supporting Actress | Rayna Holmes as Nehebka | |
| 2011 | Aida | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre | Cast, Crew, & Creative Team of Aida | |
| 2011 | Aida | Orpheum High School Musical Award | Best Actress | Breyannah Tillman as Aida |
Notable alumni
- Lori Kosten Goldberg (class of 1983) - junior tennis champion, won Orange Bowl, #2 in the United States 1977-1978
- Derrick ByarsDerrick ByarsDerrick JaVaughn Byars is an American professional basketball player for the Pro A team Cholet Basket. Collegiality, he played for Virginia, and later for Vanderbilt...
(born 1984) - American professional basketballBasketballBasketball 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...
player - Josh JasperJosh JasperJoshua Norwood "Josh" Jasper is an American football placekicker.He set the Tennessee state record for career high school field goals, with 44, and his longest field goal was 54 yards. In 2010, he was a Consensus College All-American placekicker for the LSU Tigers in his senior year, after...
(born 1987) - All-American college American footballAmerican footballAmerican 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...
placekickerPlacekickerPlacekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... - Jonathan Matthews (class of 2011) - Actor, dancer, choreographer, pianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
- Alexander Nahon (class of 2011) - PuppeteerPuppeteerA puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, such as a puppet, in real time to create the illusion of life. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. A puppeteer can operate a puppet indirectly by the use of strings, rods, wires, electronics or directly by his or...
, lighting designerLighting designerThe role of the lighting designer within theatre is to work with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost...
, stage manager; best known for puppet designs for Pippin and The Velveteen Rabbit.