Alvin C. York Institute

Last updated

Alvin C. York Institute
Address
Alvin C. York Institute
701 North Main Street

Jamestown
,
Tennessee
38556

USA
Information
School type State Public high school
MottoPrepare and Excel
Established1926
Founder Alvin C. York
OversightTennessee Department of Education
SuperintendentJoseph Miller
DeanDerwin Wright
AdministratorJason Tompkins
Staff≈60
Grades9-12
Enrollment≈500
Hours in school day7
CampusRural
Campus size400 acres (160 ha)
Color(s)  Purple   Gold
SloganHome of the Dragons
MascotDragon
AccreditationAccredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
USNWR ranking#105
NewspaperPine Needles
YearbookMountaineer
Dedication:To the end that my people of Pall Mall and of Fentress County and the boys and girls of this mountainous section may enjoy the liberating influences and educational advantages which were denied me, I dedicate this institution and my life to its perpetuation, and seek from the American people support in keeping with the great need.
-- Sgt. Alvin C. York
Website http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/
Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Historic District
York-institute-old-section-tn1.jpg
The older section of York Institute
USA Tennessee location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Coordinates 36°26′40″N84°56′13″W / 36.44444°N 84.93694°W / 36.44444; -84.93694
Area8 acres (3.2 ha)
Built1927 (1927)
Architectural styleClassical Revival
MPS Fentress County MPS
NRHP reference No. 91001378 [1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 20, 1991

Alvin C. York Institute, also known as Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute or York Institute, is a public high school in Jamestown, Tennessee, founded as a private agricultural school in 1926 by World War I hero Alvin York and later transferred to the state of Tennessee in 1937, which continues to operate it as a public high school. It is the only comprehensive secondary school in the United States that is financed and operated by a state government.

Contents

History

Alvin C. York established the school that carries his name during the 1920s in the county seat of his home county of Fentress. His goal was to give rural children the chance to obtain a high school education. Beginning in 1919 he toured the United States raising funds for the school, using his status as a war hero to get public attention and raising a total of $10,000. [2] [3] He also solicited and received funds from the state legislature, [4] which contributed $50,000, and from Fentress County, which pledged $50,000. [3] Classes began in 1929 and the school operated privately until 1937, [4] when financial pressures related to the Great Depression led York to transfer the school to the state of Tennessee, which continues to operate it as a public school as a living memorial to York.

Campus

The school sits on a campus of over 400 acres (1.6 km2) that is said to be the world's largest public high school campus. [5] The campus is designated as a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wildlife management area and includes a working farm where students participate in managing a herd of Limousin cattle. [6] [7] Five ponds on the campus are used for livestock watering, sport fishing, and waterfowl feeding and nesting. [7]

Campus buildings currently in use include the Main Administration Building (c. 1980), Social Sciences Building (a later addition to the original school), Science Building, Alvin C. York JROTC Building (c. 1940s), and Fentress County Vocational Training Center (c. 1970s).[ citation needed ]

The main administration building today, built in 1980. Yorkredoneel.gif
The main administration building today, built in 1980.

The Jamestown Community Center and Jamestown Community Park are located near the school on York Institute land. [6]

Historic building

The original two-story brick administration building, built in 1928, [8] is the centerpiece of the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school building was replaced with a new building in the 1980s and subsequently has deteriorated. In 2005 the Tennessee Preservation Trust listed it on its yearly list of the state's "most endangered" historic sites. [2]

In January 2008 the Tennessee Department of Education proposed that it be demolished, and estimated the cost of demolition at $3.6 million, while renovation would cost $3.7 million. [9] Due to safety concerns, state officials blocked off access to the old building and all areas within 50 feet (15 m) of the walls, thus preventing the use of four classrooms in the school's current main building, which is adjacent to the original building. [10] On July 15, 2008, an agreement was reached between the state building and education departments and the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, which agreed to oversee and fund the restoration of the historic structure. As of January 2010, the building had been stabilized and initial remediation was complete, at a total cost of about $1 million. [11]

Curriculum

The school enrolls students in grades 9 through 12. It operates on a block schedule, in which the fall and spring semesters are each divided into five blocks, and students take five classes each semester. York also offers vocational programs including agriculture, automotive technology, residential construction technology, metal technology, nursing, accounting, and information management systems. [7]

York Institute was one of nine Tennessee school districts to participate in the Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership, funded by the National Science Foundation with the goal enhancing science, mathematics and technology education in Appalachian region schools with low socioeconomic status and student achievement. [12]

Dual-Enrollment

Through the efforts of a local foundation and through cooperation with Roane State Community College, York Institute is able to provide its students with undergraduate-level college coursework free of charge to all students. Classes offered include College Algebra, American History I & II, English Comp I & II, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, etc. Students enrolled in these courses obtain both college and high-school credit and can earn up to two years worth of college credit.

Vocational Certification

The York Institute also provides a CNA certification program to all students free of charge. The students can apply for and obtain their CNA licensure after a semester of coursework and clinical observation is completed. The school also provides a classroom and shop area for the Tennessee Technological Center to offer Welding courses at the school site.

Community Education

The Alvin C. York Institute also operates a community education program. The program consists of various classes, events, and resources that are available to the community at no cost. The major goal of this project is to involve parents and community members in educational programs. Community education classes allow the community to become familiar with the school their children or grandchildren attend. A concerted effort is made to enhance the value placed on education. Courses offered range from basic to graduate level courses as well as many arts and crafts courses. Funding for this program is provided by Union Bank of Jamestown. [13]

Extracurricular activities and clubs

Extracurricular clubs and organizations offered at York Institute include:

Sports

Honors and awards

In 1989 York Institute was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. [8] [14] In 1992 it was one of 140 public secondary schools recognized by Redbook magazine as "America's Best Schools." [15] It was a recipient of a Tennessee Department of Education 2006 Best Practices in Character Education Merit Award. [16]

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fentress County, Tennessee</span> County in Tennessee, United States

Fentress County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,489. Its county seat is Jamestown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamestown, Tennessee</span> City in Tennessee, United States

Jamestown is a city in and the county seat of Fentress County, Tennessee, United States. The population of the city was 1,959 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisk University</span> Historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee, US

Fisk University is a private historically black liberal arts college in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1866 and its 40-acre (16 ha) campus is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvin York</span> American soldier (1887–1964)

Alvin Cullum York, also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was an American soldier who was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, gathering 35 machine guns, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 prisoners. York's Medal of Honor action occurred during the United States-led portion of the Meuse–Argonne offensive in France, which was intended to breach the Hindenburg line and force the Germans to surrender. He earned decorations from several allied countries during WWI, including France, Italy and Montenegro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's College of Maryland</span> Public honors college in St. Marys City, Maryland, U.S.

St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) is a public liberal arts college in St. Mary's City, Maryland. Established in 1840, St. Mary's College is an honors college that claims to "offer an experience similar to that of an elite liberal arts college". With about 1,600 enrolled students, the institution offers bachelor's degrees in 21 disciplines, as well as a master's program and certification programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centenary University</span> University in Hackettstown, New Jersey

Centenary University is a private university in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Founded as a preparatory school by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1867, Centenary evolved into a Junior College for women and later a coeducational four year University offering undergraduate, Master's level, and doctoral graduate programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Brothers University</span> Catholic university in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.

Christian Brothers University is a private Roman Catholic university in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded in 1871 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, a Catholic teaching order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology</span> Public university in Melbourne, Australia

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is a public research university in Melbourne, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camosun College</span> Public college in British Columbia, Canada

Camosun College is a public college located in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. The college has two campuses, Lansdowne and Interurban, with a total full-time equivalent enrolment of 4,946 students in 2022/23. Camosun College also provides contract training for local business; research, innovation and prototyping services for industry; and trained co-op students for employers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryville College</span> Private liberal arts college in Maryville, Tennessee, US

Maryville College is a private liberal arts college in Maryville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1819 by Presbyterian minister Isaac L. Anderson for the purpose of furthering education and enlightenment into the West. The college is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the United States and the 12th-oldest institution in the South. It is associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and enrolls about 1,100 students. Its mascot is the Scots, and sports teams compete in NCAA Division III athletics in the Collegiate Conference of the South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma</span> Public university in Chickasha, Oklahoma, US

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) is a public liberal arts college in Chickasha, Oklahoma. It is the only public college in Oklahoma with a strictly liberal arts–focused curriculum and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. USAO is an undergraduate-only institution and grants bachelor's degrees in a variety of subject areas. The school was founded in 1908 as a school for women and from 1912 to 1965 was known as Oklahoma College for Women. It became coeducational in 1965 and today educates approximately 800 students. In 2001, the entire Oklahoma College for Women campus was listed as a national historic district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pellissippi State Community College</span> Community college in Knox County, Tennessee, U.S.

Pellissippi State Community College is a public community college based in Knox and Blount counties in Tennessee. It is operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The college's main campus is located in west Knox County. There are four satellite campuses in the surrounding area. Pellissippi State was named Pellissippi State Technical Community College until July 1, 2009. It is the successor to the former State Technical Institute at Knoxville ("STIK"), founded in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roane State Community College</span> College in eastern Tennessee, U.S.

Roane State Community College is a public community college in eastern Tennessee with its main campus in Harriman. It was authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1969, along with two other community colleges, and operates under the authority of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hudson County Community College</span> Public college in Hudson County, New Jersey, US

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is a public community college in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Burlington High School (BHS) is a public high school located in Burlington, Vermont, United States. BHS' current campus is its fourth. Two of the former buildings still exist, one (1900–1964) as the Edmunds Elementary and Middle School complex while the second one, used in the late 1800s, is now a private residence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blind Brook High School</span> School in Rye Brook, , New York, United States

Blind Brook High School (BBHS) is a public, four-year secondary school in Rye Brook, New York, United States. It is the only public high school that serves the Blind Brook School District. BBHS is a relatively small high school; the Class of 2008 was made up of 102 students. The principal is Dr. Jennifer Chirles. The assistant principal is Mark Greenwald, a former teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilford Technical Community College</span> College in the Piedmont Triad, North Carolina, U.S.

Guilford Technical Community College is a public community college in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. It is the fourth largest institution in the North Carolina Community College System and the largest in the Piedmont Triad. Guilford Technical Community College also has campuses in Jamestown, High Point, Greensboro, and Colfax.

Davidson-Davie Community College (DDCC) is a public community college with campuses in Davidson County and Davie County, North Carolina. It awards certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in more than 50 programs. As a member of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), between the North Carolina Community College System and the University of North Carolina (UNC) System, credits earned at DCCC transfer to the university system. Davidson-Davie Community College also provides basic skill training and General Educational Development (GED) programs to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park</span>

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park is a state park in Pall Mall, in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Situated along the Wolf River, the park contains the farm and gristmill once owned by decorated World War I soldier Alvin C. York (1887–1964), who lived in the Pall Mall area for his entire life. Along with the millhouse and milldam, the park includes York's two-story house, York's general store and post office, the Wolf River Cemetery, the Wolf River Methodist Church, the York Bible Institute, and various picnic facilities.

Chattanooga State Community College is a public community college in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The college is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Athletically, Chattanooga State is a member of Region VII of the NJCAA.

References

  1. ↑ "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Ten in Tennessee Endangered List, Tennessee Preservation Trust website (accessed January 18, 2008)
  3. 1 2 Fentress Feud, Time magazine , May 25, 1936
  4. 1 2 History Archived August 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , York Institute website (accessed January 18, 2008)
  5. ↑ York Institute Student Handbook . It is not in fact the largest. Memphis is larger Archived April 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine , accessed December 29, 2008
  6. 1 2 Campus Archived August 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , York Institute website (accessed January 18, 2008)
  7. 1 2 3 Promising Programs Archived August 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , York Institute website (accessed January 18, 2008)
  8. 1 2 Fentress County Spotlight Archived January 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , by Ruble Upchurch, Upper Cumberland Business Journal, October 11, 2007
  9. ↑ Historic Jamestown school could be leveled [ permanent dead link ], Stoney Sharp, WBIR-TV, January 17, 2008
  10. ↑ Original Alvin C. York Institute to be torn down, by Liz Engel, Herald-Citizen newspaper (Cookeville, Tennessee), January 11, 2008
  11. ↑ Save YAI Archived February 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Sergeant York Foundation website, accessed February 8, 2010
  12. ↑ Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership website (accessed January 18, 2008)
  13. ↑ Archived August 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine website (accessed April 8, 2010)
  14. ↑ Schools Recognized, 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002 Archived March 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine , U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program
  15. 1 2 Fentress County Schools Archived January 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , Fentress County Chamber of Commerce website (accessed January 18, 2008)
  16. ↑ Local School Wins Character Education Merit Award Archived September 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine , Knoxville News Sentinel, December 12, 2006. Archived on the Character Counts! website.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.