Varina High School

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Varina High School
Varina High School Logo.jpg
Address
7053 Messer Road

Henrico
,
Virginia
23231

United States
Coordinates37°28′24.9″N 77°22′39.9″W / 37.473583°N 77.377750°W / 37.473583; -77.377750Coordinates: 37°28′24.9″N 77°22′39.9″W / 37.473583°N 77.377750°W / 37.473583; -77.377750
Information
School typePublic, high school
MottoLearn Today Lead Tomorrow
Founded1909
School districtHenrico County Public Schools
SuperintendentDr. Amy Cashwell
PrincipalMr. Darin Thompson
Staff100.78 (FTE)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,588 (2017-18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio15.76[1]
LanguageEnglish
Color(s)    Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Athletics conferenceVirginia High School League
4A - Capital District
MascotBlue Devils
RivalHighland Springs High School
Hermitage High School (Virginia)
Henrico High School
Websitevarinahs.henricoschools.us

Varina High School is located in eastern Henrico County, Virginia. It is one of nine high schools in Henrico County Public Schools. It houses a specialty center, the Center for Communications and Media Relations, which is open to students from across the county.

School History[]

In 1909, high school students in Varina attended Varina School, the second oldest consolidated school in Virginia, which is now home to Varina Elementary. Seven years later, in 1916, the high school became accredited under the leadership of principal George F. Baker. In 1920, the high school became the Varina Agricultural High School in a new facility located on the same campus as Varina School.

The current Varina High School, located in the Varina District, opened on the Messer Road campus in 1963. It housed grades seven through twelve until John Rolfe Middle School opened in 1979.

In 2009, Varina High School began a three-year, $30-million renovation project of the facility and grounds. [2] On May 5, 2013, the community gathered to celebrate the 50 year anniversary and their sparkling new surroundings.

Administration[]

Mr. Darin Thompson is the Principal starting the 2020-2021 school year.

Previous principals:

2001-2013 - Mrs. Tracie Omohundro

2013-2020 - Mrs. Ann Marie Seely

Students and Staff[]

Varina High School has a faculty and staff of 162. The school has approximately 2,000 students, grades 9-12, which represent a diverse population that is both urban and rural.

Center for Communications and Center for Environmental Science and Sustainability[]

Varina High School also houses two of the county's fifteen specialty centers. The Center for Communications is open to students county-wide and provides a college preparatory curriculum concentrating in the mastery of oral, written, and visual communications skills. While the Center for Environmental Sciences and Sustainability has a similar structure to the Center for Communications, but instead focuses on science, social, political, and historical skills.

Academics[]

The school year is divided into two semesters. A semester is 18 weeks with two nine-week reporting periods. Seven classes meet on a modified block schedule with 3 classes meeting a week on alternate days for 90 minutes, and one class meeting for all classes for 50 minutes on Mondays, with A 25 Minute Dear On Mondays and a 30-minute study block Tuesday-Friday. The schedule is as follows:

  • Monday 1,2,3,4,5,Dear,6,7
  • Tuesday/Thursday 1,3,5,Study,7
  • Wednesday,Friday 2,4,5,Study,6

Course offerings include:

  • Advanced Placement: English 11, English 12, Calculus, Statistics, Biology, American History, World History, Government, and World Languages, Environmental Science, Psychology, Chemistry, and Physics, Studio Art, Art History
  • Honors: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages, Art, Chorus, Band
  • Dual Credit opportunities are available at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, ECPI University, and Virginia Commonwealth University (through the High Tech Academy at Highland Springs Technical Center).
  • A wide variety of offerings in Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, Technology Education, Marketing, Fine Arts and NJROTC
  • Twenty-eight block programs at the Technical Centers
  • Work Study Programs: Co-operative Office Education, Marketing Education, and Cooperative Work Experience Program for Exceptional Education
  • Special Education: Consultative, Collaborative, Resource, and Self Contained Non-Traditional Programs: GED, CDS (Center for Diversified Studies), Evening School of Excellence At AVR And Highland Springs High, Online Courses, PLC
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) At Highland Springs HS/Tucker HS


Grading[]

  • A, 100 - 89.5, 4 Grade Points
  • B, 89.4 - 79.5, 3 Grade Points
  • C, 79.4 - 69.5, 2 Grade Points
  • D, 69.4 - 64.5, 1 Grade Point
  • F, below 64.5, 0 Grade Points for all Courses
  • I, Incomplete, 0 Grade Points for all Courses
  • WF, Withdrawn Failing, 0 Grade Points for all Courses
  • WP, Withdrawn Passing, 0 Grade Points and Not Counted in Rank

Ranking[]

Class rank and G.P.A. (Grade Point Average) are determined by the levels of courses taken and the grades earned in those courses. Grades earned in courses completed in middle school that were awarded a high school credit will not be computed as part of the high school cumulative grade-point average. High School courses completed during the summer prior to entering ninth grade will be included in the grade-point average and calculated in the 9th grade year. The initial class ranking is computed at the end of grade 11 by averaging the final averages of grades 9, 10, and 11. The final ranking is computed mid year of the 12th grade and is based on final averages of grades 9, 10, 11 and the first semester averages of grade 12. Students who are earning either a Standard or an Advanced Studies Diploma are included in class rank. Students earning a Modified Standard Diploma or Special Diploma are excluded from class rank. Students earning weighted credit will have 0.17 added to their final G.P.A. for each Honors/AP course taken and passed. See the following formula:

Grade distribution[]

Class of 2013 436 students ranked:

  • Upper Quintile 4.6495 - 3.1454
  • Second Quintile 3.1277 - 2.5379
  • Third Quintile 2.5349 - 2.0284
  • Fourth Quintile 2.0238 - 1.5957
  • Fifth Quintile 1.5918 - 0.625

Post secondary[]

  • Four-year College or University 28.1%
  • Two-year College or Community College 37.5%
  • Technical School/Apprenticeship 10.2%
  • Military 7.6%
  • Work/Other 16.6%

NJROTC[]

Varina High School is home to a Naval JROTC program. The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964 which may be found in Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 102. The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, and taught by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. ("Gray" area reservists and medically retired personnel may also be eligible to instruct in the program; see Instructor Application Process) The NJROTC accredited curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by extra-curricular activities of community service, academic, athletic, drill and orienteering competitions, field meets, flights, visits to naval or other activities, marksmanship sports training, and physical fitness training. Electronic classroom equipment, textbooks, uniforms, educational training aids, travel allowance, and a cost-share of instructors' salaries are provided by the Navy.[3]

50th Year Anniversary[]

In 2013, Varina High School celebrated 50 years on the Messer Road campus. Varina High School moved to the Messer Road campus in 1963 and has seen many changes. Most recently, the school has received a $30 million renovation. The school celebrated with a re-dedication in May 2013. The slogan for the celebration was "Varina High School – Devilishly Good at 50!" [4]

Several events were planned to commemorate the milestone including alumni recognition at sporting events, a spring beautification project and a campus rededication. A 50th anniversary committee, chaired by Principal Tracie Omohundro, planned the events over the previous year.

Recognition of alumni began during football season when various generations of former students were called to midfield before games. Business teacher Dwanda Hicks is on the anniversary planning committee and made buttons for alumni to wear during football games.

A beautification project was scheduled for April, followed by the rededication on May 5, which is the same day the Messer Road campus was originally dedicated 50 years ago.

Mrs. Omohundro was glad to see the timing of renovations finish in time for the celebration. “Not only can you come reminisce about your school, but look at the nice improvements we’ve made, too," Mrs. Omohundro said.

The Student Government Association also planned events to increase student involvement. Senior SGA president Calvin Bartelle said he hopes students appreciate the school's influence on the community. "Varina has made an impact on the community by teaching students the knowledge they need to be successful in the future and by preparing them for tougher events that they may come against in the future," Calvin said.

There was no budget for anniversary events, but committee members encouraged students and staff to donate their time and support. Librarian Virginia Brown is one staff member donating time to research facts about the school’s history.

Graphic design instructor Joey Boehling, who has taught at Varina since 1984, created the 50th anniversary logo. He said the idea popped into his head at a committee meeting. "I like to play with words, and ‘Devilishly Good’ was a nice oxymoron. Also I'm thinking the zero in 50 looks just like the logo that we use for Varina Nation," Mr. Boehling said.

Students in the Center for Communications are also contributing to the celebration by creating posters and documentaries. Senior communications student Dahneja Jackson said she enjoys researching the school.

Mrs. Omohundro and other members of the committee managed a Facebook page for the anniversary.

Notable alumni[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Varina High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Varina High School" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". www.njrotc.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Varina High School". Retrieved 2012-09-22.

External links[]

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