Blue Ridge High School is comprised of one community with mountains of success. In the 2018-2019 school year, we renewed our commitment to building stronger and better graduates who are prepared to continue their education, enter the military, or join the workforce. Did you know that 241 students graduated from BRHS in 2019?
As a part of Greenville County Schools’ Graduation Plus initiative, we offer 14 Dual Credit and AP classes and at least three career certificates on campus. Students are also able to attend the J. Harley Bonds Career Center while at BRHS to ensure each individual has the opportunity to pursue a technical career interest while earning high school credit. On and off our campus, the students attending Blue Ridge High are developing World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina graduate through their multifaceted and well-rounded education. Did you know that three of our students made it into the top five in the “Amazing Shake” challenge at Bonds? The first place winner is one of our seniors who just graduated!
Our second year as a “one-to-one” school was a continued success as each pupil checked out and used a Chromebook. Teachers and students continue to embrace this technology and use it as an enhancement in the classroom in order to prepare for the future. Did you know our students work with extensively with Google Apps and Google Classroom? Additionally, instead of carrying heavy textbooks they are able to access the material on their Chromebooks.
Not only was this our second year with personalized learning, but this was also year two for Inclusion classes. We continue to see the benefits for students with, and without, disabilities in classes with co-teachers because extra resources and learning opportunities are provided to everyone in the class. Did you know that inclusion teachers work with all students in the class? Co-teaching allows small group and individualized instruction.
Student achievement increased over the past year and Blue Ridge High School has the highest English 1 End-of-Course test scores in the Greenville County School District. We ranked third in the district for Algebra 1 and fourth for Biology 1. The BRHS community, which is comprised of our students and their families, teachers, and staff members, has come together to boost students’ success. Did you know one of our teachers was a Golden Apple Teacher of the Week in December of 2018? Additionally, did you know one of our Special Education teachers was awarded a Greater Greer Foundation Grant for a math and reading center in her classroom?
This year was BRHS’s first as an OnTrack school – we are striving to identify students who get “lost between the cracks.” We provide mentors, tutoring, and other forms of intervention for these students so they can reach their potential and achieve their goals in and outside of school. It is imperative to help our students stay on track for graduation! Did you know our OnTrack team meets each week to
A school is not complete without a strong Fine Arts program. The Ridge’s Orchestra program had three students make the Region Honors Orchestra and one student was an alternate while two students made the All-County Honors Orchestra. The Orchestra earned an Excellent at the State Concert Performance Assessment and earned a Superior at the Carowinds Festival of Music. Eighteen Choral students made the South Carolina All-State Chorus – the most students from a single school in Greenville County. The Blue Ridge band secured the SCBDA Outstanding Performance Award – this is the highest award given to a band program in the state of South Carolina. This was earned through participation and ratings at the Marching Band Championships, All-State and Region Band, Concert Performance Assessment, and Solo and Ensemble Festival. While walking the halls of BRHS we can admire the amazing artwork of our students who participate in Greenville’s Artisphere Art Festival each year. Did you know one of our Art teachers was awarded the “Frameworks Grant” two years in a row?
The Career and Technology Education courses at the Ridge are second-to-none! Students started a BR chapter of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and are continuing to build up our Health Sciences program which means during the 2019-2020 school year we students will be taking dual credit classes through Greenville Technical College on our campus in Health Careers and similar subjects. We have a variety of Business, Family Consumer Science, and Agriculture classes for students to take. Did you know that last year five of our Future Farmers of America members attended the National Convention in Indianapolis, IN, and ten of our Future Business Leaders of America members competed at the National Convention in San Antonio, TX?
While academics are the foundation of “The Ridge,” a well-rounded education includes extracurricular activities. In 2019 our Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) earned the Distinguished Unit Award. Congratulations to MSgt. Fuller for winning the Outstanding Instructor Award! Three of our students also earned awards at the AFJROTC 2019 Converse Leadership School. Finally, students earned $1,000 in Disabled Veteran Scholarships and one of our students won a $20,000 AFJROTC Chief of Staff Flight Academy Private Pilot Scholarship and will be at Purdue University taking classes and earning her pilot’s license in the summer of 2019. Did you know that students who win this scholarship can earn up to 12 college credits the summer before his or her senior year in high school?
Our volleyball, baseball, softball, girls and boys basketball teams, and the boys tennis team made the playoff this year. Boys Cross Country finished seventh in the state and Girls Cross Country finished thirteenth. We had nine All-Region athletes in boys and girls track, three students were individual region champions in their events and three students were region champions. The Cheerleading Team was awarded Region Champs this year. Did you know this year our football team traveled to Florida to visit FSU and play against Vernon High School? Also, did you know our Varsity Head Wrestling Coach was selected to coach the 2019 SCWCA Best Western North South All Star Classic?
The School Improvement Council continued its work to benefit the Blue Ridge community. We continued our program with community volunteers as mentors who could connect with and motivate Blue Ridge learners. Community members were also invited to volunteer at the school in various capacities. One of our goals is to nurture our relationship with Blue Ridge Middle School and ensure that our future Tigers are aware of all of the opportunities available to them at The Ridge. Did you know that volunteers have judged “Chopped” competitions in Foods and Nutrition and have helped with Science labs at BRHS?
All of these efforts have culminated in the class of 2019 receiving $5,834,560.00 in scholarships for continuing education. 82% of our graduates will be attending a two- or four-year college and/or joining the military. Those who are joining the workforce have been prepared by a community, faculty, and staff who are proud of who they have become. It is clear we know that Blue Ridge High School is “One Community… Mountains of Success.”
