Science Hill High School

Science Hill High School
Address
1509 John Exum Pkwy. Johnson City, Tennessee 37604 United States
Coordinates	36°19′32″N 82°22′10″W / 36.32556°N 82.36944°W / 36.32556; -82.36944Coordinates: 36°19′32″N 82°22′10″W / 36.32556°N 82.36944°W / 36.32556; -82.36944
Information
School type	Public, high school
School district	Johnson City Schools
Superintendent	Richard Bales
Principal	Melanie Riden-Bacon
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	2600
Color(s)	Maroon and Gold
Athletics	Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross-Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Wrestling
Nickname	Hilltoppers
Feeder schools	Liberty Bell Middle School
Website	Official Site
[1]

Science Hill High School is a high school (grades 9-12) in Johnson City, Tennessee, United States, with an enrollment of approximately 2600 students. The school is split over four campuses: 9th grade academy; 10-12 Campus; Technical Center Campus; & Alternative School Campus. The school also shares space with Freedom Hall Civic Center. The school site also includes tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer field, track facilities, and football stadium. The school administration consists of one principal, one associate principal, five assistant principals, one vocational school director, and one athletic director. The school has approximately 180 teachers. Science Hill High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Also, in the 2008–2009 school year, Science Hill began the Tri-Cities second International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. The school's former mascot is the Hilltopper, an anthropomorphic top hat called the "Mad Hatter". Science Hill also has one of the area's oldest JROTC programs.

History

Science Hill High School is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It originally opened as the Science Hill Male and Female Institute in 1867. The first building was erected on land by Tipton Jobe; labor and materials were furnished by individual citizens. The first session in this building began August 24, 1868. The Rev. John B. Pence was principal. The town at that time was unincorporated and known as Johnson's Depot. It was incorporated in 1869 under its present name. Science Hill has the distinction of being the first purely private corporation in Johnson City, Tennessee. On January 20, 1880, a charter was granted to Science Hill. It was first operated as a private school and later taken over as a free public school. In 1889, the school was organized into a graded system. The students of the school were cared for in the year 1911–1912 and 1912–1913 by the East Tennessee State Normal School, which opened for the students on October 10, 1911. The present campus-style plant was occupied in 1961. In 1971, a Technology Center was added to the campus. This center provides technical and vocational training for the high school students and adult students from the community. In 1988, a construction program was completed to accommodate the addition of the ninth grade students. An additional building program was completed in late 1997 to meet the demands of a growing student population. This addition included eleven classrooms and an expansion of the library, cafeteria, and Fine Arts area. The opening of the 1998/1999 school year began a new chapter in the history of Science Hill High School with the addition of the eighth grade. Since the 2011 school year they have gone back to the traditional 9 – 12 configuration, by converting the 8 – 9 campus back into the previous Liberty Bell Middle School. In 2012, Science Hill finished another $23 million expansion to accommodate a growing student population. In addition to a new 64 classroom academic wing, an addition to the Cafe and the construction of a state of the art gymnasium has also been completed. The former Henry Johnson School serves as a third campus for Science Hill High School as the alternative learning center.^[2]

Music

The Science Hill High School Choir produced a solo performance at New York's Carnegie Hall (1997). The Science Hill High School Marching Band, has performed across the nation, including appearances in the Honolulu Holiday Parade (2002), Hollywood Christmas Parade (2004), Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City (1996 and 2000), the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena California (1999 and 2009).^[3] Additionally the Science Hill High School Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band have performed at Carnegie Hall (Spring 2007). The Topper Band made their first appearance in the IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia (2010) and will be making a second appearance in the Hollywood Christmas Parade (2012). The Science Hill Orchestra has won multiple titles at various Musical Competitions in Tennessee and surrounding states.

Notable alumni

External links

• Johnson City School System Official Homepage

References