.gif)
Ridgewood High School (Florida)
Encyclopedia
Ridgewood High School is a four-year public high school serving residential suburbs in New Port Richey, Florida
on the Gulf of Mexico
. It is part of the Pasco County Public School System in Pasco County, Florida
. The school was founded in 1978 as a junior high school with the intent of it becoming the third high school in western Pasco County.
, with its courtyard, high ceilings, and second floor overlooking the building.
The official conversion occurred on August 5, 1981, by a majority vote of the school board. Ridgewood began operating as a high school in 1983 with a freshman class, adding one grade per each year, until it had a full four-year complement in the 1985-1986 school year, which was the first graduating class. As part of the transition to a high school, Ridgewood underwent a $1.6 million renovation project, which included a gym added to the back of the main building, a stadium built by the football field, as well as a new weight room and tennis courts.
After winning the "Pride of Pasco" academic award, in 1988, the title stuck as the nickname of the school. Ridgewood High School excelled during this period, leading the county in HSC Test scores four consecutive years under the leadership of Krinn.
In 1998, Dr. Arthur O'Donnell became the second principal in Ridgewood's history after transferring from Hudson High School. In 2003, he retired after working for 35 years in the Pasco County School system. Randall Koenigsfeld succeeded O'Donnell as Principal of Ridgewood High, a position he held until July 2009, when he was transferred to Schwettman Education Center. Andy Frelick, principal of Wesley Chapel High School
was named principal of Ridgewood.
.
average at 68%. RHS's dropout rate is 2.2%, which is consistently lower than both the district and state averages. The school has 105 certified faculty members, 29 of which with Masters or post-Masters degrees, and 2 with Doctorates. 51% of the Ridgewood faculty has at least a decade of experience in the teaching field, while 30 teachers at the school have more than 25 years of teaching experience.
RHS curriculum offers 14 classes of Advanced Placement, an honors program, and countless Dual-Enrollment options due to the incredibly close proximity to Pasco-Hernando Community College
. Likewise, Marchman Technical Education Center resides next door to Ridgewood High giving students even more options. Ridgewood is the pilot school for a new wellness program in Pasco County, attempting to improve and teach good habits for now and in the future. 80% of Ridgewood High School students move on to post-secondary education.
In 2006, Ridgewood High School won the state championship of the Odyssey of the Mind
competition, representing the state of Florida against the world.
RHS continued this success and won two state titles in Cross Country under then Coach Glenn Cable in 1991 and 1999. Ridgewood won the Class 3A state title in Fast-Pitch Softball in 1992, led by coach Marlyn Bavetta, defeating Berkeley Preparatory School
by a score of 7-6. Ridgewood achieved success in both sports during the 1990s with victories at both the district and conference level.
Ridgewood won another state title in 2000 for Wrestling
. The 2A state title at 119 pounds was won by Joe Mendoza, who overcame a 4-3 deficit, scoring a takedown with 19 seconds left to defeat Homestead South Dade and its wrestler Tymer Cooper.
Ridgewood's football team has experienced a measure of success in the last few years after spending over a decade near or at the bottom of the district standings. The Rams made their first playoff appearance in 2002 under coach Troy Cornwell, falling to Belleview High School
by a score of 48-6 in the first round of the Class 4A tournament. In 2007, the Rams experienced the best season in school history under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Taylor. Led by star running back Byronell Arline, the Rams finished 9-1 overall and 4-1 in Class 4A District 8. Only a late season loss to eventual champion Land O' Lakes prevented the Rams from winning the first District championship in school history. Arline would set the North Suncoast record for most rushing yards in a single season by collecting 2,188 yards in ten regular season games; the previous record was set by Dwayne Mobley of Hernando High School
in 1991. Ridgewood qualified for the playoffs for the second time in six years, but fell in the first round to Seabreeze High School
of Daytona Beach
by the score of 43-3.
Gary Anders was hired in 1987 to coach the Ridgewood boys basketball team and serve as athletic director. The basketball program would win several conference titles under Anders and back-to-back district titles in the mid-1990s and again achieving the feat in 2003 and 2004. Ridgewood won another conference title in 2006. Anders won his 400th basketball game in 2003 and made the Elite 8 in the Florida High School Athletic Association
(FHSAA) basketball tournament. Girls basketball advanced into the state playoffs, winning several district and conference titles and moving on to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2004.
Former Assistant Principal and teacher Larry Beets was hired as head baseball coach, and after winning back to back conference championships in 1986 and 1987, won district titles in 1990 and 1991, and a Regional Championship in 1991 and 1998. From 2003-2005, the team won three straight district championships capped off in 2006 with six consecutive playoff appearances. The Rams would also make the 2003 State Championship game, falling to Bishop Kenny High School
by a score of 13-0 in the Class 4A finals at Legends Field
in Tampa, Florida
. Larry Beets was recognized by the St. Petersburg Times
as "Coach of the Year" for his accomplishments with a team that had less "firepower" than its competitors yet managed to pull off a major upset in the district final.
Competing in a group of 61 high schools in Citrus
, Hernando
, Hillsborough
, Pasco
and Pinellas
counties, participating in 19 different sports, Ridgewood High School was recognized in 1992 as a winner of the fourth annual St. Petersburg Times All-Sports Championship, paced by state titles in boys cross country and softball. The football stadium is also the winter and spring break home to the Phi Delta Theta cycling team from Indiana University. The Phi Delta Theta team has won the Little 500 3 times, in 1982, 1996, and 2001.
New Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
on the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. It is part of the Pasco County Public School System in Pasco 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...
. The school was founded in 1978 as a junior high school with the intent of it becoming the third high school in western Pasco County.
History
The Pasco County School Board approved creation of a new junior high school north of the City of New Port Richey in response to population growth in the area during the 1970s, with the expectation that the school would ultimately become west Pasco's third high school. Superintendent Thomas Weightman had Ridgewood built to senior high specifications and purchased extra land near the school for the future expansion and conversion. The school was built for $3.2 million and opened in 1978. Wendell L. Krinn became the first principal of the school and would serve in that position for 20 years. The St. Petersburg Times proclaimed Ridgewood, "The new home of education" in Pasco County because of its state of the art facilities and unique architecture. Rowe Holmes Associates designed the main building of Ridgewood High School after the Tampa Bay Center in Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, with its courtyard, high ceilings, and second floor overlooking the building.
The official conversion occurred on August 5, 1981, by a majority vote of the school board. Ridgewood began operating as a high school in 1983 with a freshman class, adding one grade per each year, until it had a full four-year complement in the 1985-1986 school year, which was the first graduating class. As part of the transition to a high school, Ridgewood underwent a $1.6 million renovation project, which included a gym added to the back of the main building, a stadium built by the football field, as well as a new weight room and tennis courts.
After winning the "Pride of Pasco" academic award, in 1988, the title stuck as the nickname of the school. Ridgewood High School excelled during this period, leading the county in HSC Test scores four consecutive years under the leadership of Krinn.
In 1998, Dr. Arthur O'Donnell became the second principal in Ridgewood's history after transferring from Hudson High School. In 2003, he retired after working for 35 years in the Pasco County School system. Randall Koenigsfeld succeeded O'Donnell as Principal of Ridgewood High, a position he held until July 2009, when he was transferred to Schwettman Education Center. Andy Frelick, principal of Wesley Chapel High School
Wesley Chapel High School
Wesley Chapel High School is a Pasco County, Florida secondary school located in Wesley Chapel, Florida. It is one of the largest schools in the rapidly growing Pasco County School District. It is next to Wesley Chapel Elementary School and Thomas E. Weightman Middle School, which are both feeder...
was named principal of Ridgewood.
School symbols
During the establishment of the school in the late 1970s, the student body at Ridgewood voted to make the official nickname and logo the Ram, "which symbolizes the endless determination of our spirit to strive for high standards in every aspect within our institution." There was actually a real ram brought in as a mascot for sporting events who would soon be replaced by the present day Rocky the Ram.” The colors orange and blue were adopted, matching those of the University of Florida GatorsFlorida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
.
Academics
Ridgewood High School has a graduation rate of 80%, well exceeding the Pasco County average of 72% and state of FloridaFlorida
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...
average at 68%. RHS's dropout rate is 2.2%, which is consistently lower than both the district and state averages. The school has 105 certified faculty members, 29 of which with Masters or post-Masters degrees, and 2 with Doctorates. 51% of the Ridgewood faculty has at least a decade of experience in the teaching field, while 30 teachers at the school have more than 25 years of teaching experience.
RHS curriculum offers 14 classes of Advanced Placement, an honors program, and countless Dual-Enrollment options due to the incredibly close proximity to Pasco-Hernando Community College
Pasco-Hernando Community College
Pasco–Hernando Community College is the youngest two-year community college in Florida. With four campuses in Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey and Spring Hill, PHCC serves Pasco and Hernando counties in the central west coast of Florida....
. Likewise, Marchman Technical Education Center resides next door to Ridgewood High giving students even more options. Ridgewood is the pilot school for a new wellness program in Pasco County, attempting to improve and teach good habits for now and in the future. 80% of Ridgewood High School students move on to post-secondary education.
In 2006, Ridgewood High School won the state championship of the Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind, often called OM , is a creative problem-solving competition involving students from kindergarten through college. Team members work together at length to solve a predefined problem ; and present their solution to the problem at a competition...
competition, representing the state of Florida against the world.
Alma mater
- To Her name we pledge our honor.
- In joyous song we raise
- Ridgewood our Alma Mater.
- Thy glorious name we praise.
- Where sea and tide are rolling,
- Where Ram pride is growing.
- Forever will our voices ring,
- To thee we proudly sing.
- Beneath the orange and blue victorious,
- Her name shall never die.
- There's no other name so glorious
- All hail, Ridgewood High.
Athletics
Ridgewood High School won its first Pasco County All-Sports Trophy in 1986 after winning the district title in cross country, track, baseball and soccer. "The other schools kid us a lot," said Principal Wendell Krinn to the St. Petersburg Times in 1986. "They call us the University of Ridgewood or the Taj Mahal of the county."RHS continued this success and won two state titles in Cross Country under then Coach Glenn Cable in 1991 and 1999. Ridgewood won the Class 3A state title in Fast-Pitch Softball in 1992, led by coach Marlyn Bavetta, defeating Berkeley Preparatory School
Berkeley Preparatory School
Berkeley Preparatory School is a Pre-K to Grade 12 private college preparatory school. Founded in 1960, it is located on a campus in Tampa, Florida, USA...
by a score of 7-6. Ridgewood achieved success in both sports during the 1990s with victories at both the district and conference level.
Ridgewood won another state title in 2000 for Wrestling
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...
. The 2A state title at 119 pounds was won by Joe Mendoza, who overcame a 4-3 deficit, scoring a takedown with 19 seconds left to defeat Homestead South Dade and its wrestler Tymer Cooper.
Ridgewood's football team has experienced a measure of success in the last few years after spending over a decade near or at the bottom of the district standings. The Rams made their first playoff appearance in 2002 under coach Troy Cornwell, falling to Belleview High School
Belleview High School
Belleview High School is a school in Marion County, Florida. It serves the Belleview area and the southern part of Marion County, Florida. The school mascot is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the school colors are blue, silver, and white. The school offers the AICE program...
by a score of 48-6 in the first round of the Class 4A tournament. In 2007, the Rams experienced the best season in school history under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Taylor. Led by star running back Byronell Arline, the Rams finished 9-1 overall and 4-1 in Class 4A District 8. Only a late season loss to eventual champion Land O' Lakes prevented the Rams from winning the first District championship in school history. Arline would set the North Suncoast record for most rushing yards in a single season by collecting 2,188 yards in ten regular season games; the previous record was set by Dwayne Mobley of Hernando High School
Hernando High School (Florida)
Hernando High School is a public high school located in Brooksville, Florida. It is part of the Hernando County School District. It has been in operation since 1889, which makes it one of the oldest, continuously operating public high schools in the United States. HHS has a large network of alumni...
in 1991. Ridgewood qualified for the playoffs for the second time in six years, but fell in the first round to Seabreeze High School
Seabreeze High School
Seabreeze High School is a high school located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.- Notable alumni :...
of Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
by the score of 43-3.
Gary Anders was hired in 1987 to coach the Ridgewood boys basketball team and serve as athletic director. The basketball program would win several conference titles under Anders and back-to-back district titles in the mid-1990s and again achieving the feat in 2003 and 2004. Ridgewood won another conference title in 2006. Anders won his 400th basketball game in 2003 and made the Elite 8 in the Florida High School Athletic Association
Florida High School Athletic Association
The Florida High School Athletic Association is an organization whose purpose is to organize sports competition for high school It is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations ....
(FHSAA) basketball tournament. Girls basketball advanced into the state playoffs, winning several district and conference titles and moving on to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2004.
Former Assistant Principal and teacher Larry Beets was hired as head baseball coach, and after winning back to back conference championships in 1986 and 1987, won district titles in 1990 and 1991, and a Regional Championship in 1991 and 1998. From 2003-2005, the team won three straight district championships capped off in 2006 with six consecutive playoff appearances. The Rams would also make the 2003 State Championship game, falling to Bishop Kenny High School
Bishop Kenny High School
Bishop Kenny High School is a private, college-preparatory, coeducational Catholic high school in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located in and administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine...
by a score of 13-0 in the Class 4A finals at Legends Field
Legends Field
George M. Steinbrenner Field , is a baseball stadium located in Tampa, Florida across Dale Mabry Highway from Raymond James Stadium, home of the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The ballpark was built in 1996 and holds almost 11,000 people with an addition in right field built in...
in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. Larry Beets was recognized by the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
as "Coach of the Year" for his accomplishments with a team that had less "firepower" than its competitors yet managed to pull off a major upset in the district final.
Competing in a group of 61 high schools in Citrus
Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 141,416 . Its county seat is Inverness, Florida...
, Hernando
Hernando County, Florida
Hernando County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 130,802. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 165,409 . Its county seat is Brooksville, Florida. The majority of the county's population is in Spring Hill, west portion of Hernando...
, Hillsborough
Hillsborough County, Florida
As of the census of 2000, there were 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 951 people per square mile . There were 425,962 housing units at an average density of 405 per square mile...
, Pasco
Pasco County, Florida
Pasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. The July 1, 2007 census estimate according to the U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida which is in the northeast part of the county - somewhat...
and Pinellas
Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas County is a county located in the state of Florida. Its county seat is Clearwater, Florida, and its largest city is St. Petersburg. This county is contained entirely within the telephone area code 727, except for some sections of Oldsmar, which have the area code 813...
counties, participating in 19 different sports, Ridgewood High School was recognized in 1992 as a winner of the fourth annual St. Petersburg Times All-Sports Championship, paced by state titles in boys cross country and softball. The football stadium is also the winter and spring break home to the Phi Delta Theta cycling team from Indiana University. The Phi Delta Theta team has won the Little 500 3 times, in 1982, 1996, and 2001.
Notable alumni
- Mike RabeloMike RabeloMichael Gregory Rabelo is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Rabelo grew up in the city of New Port Richey, Florida, and attended Ridgewood High School...
(Class of 1998), 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...
catcher, currently with the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
External links
- Ridgewood High School website
- Data for the Ridgewood Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- History of Education in Pasco County - Ridgewood High School