Hirschi High School

Last updated
John Hirschi IB Magnet High School
Location
Hirschi High School
3106 Borton Lane
Wichita Falls, Texas 76306

United States
Information
Type Magnet school - Public Secondary
Established1962
ClosedMay 24th 2024
School district Wichita Falls Independent School District
Staff74.05 (FTE) [1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment911 (2018–19) [1]
Student to teacher ratio12.30 [1]
Color(s)Columbia blue and scarlet   
AthleticsFootball, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Swimming, Baseball, Softball, and Golf
Athletics conference UIL District 6-AAAA
MascotKing the Husky
Team Competition - Huskies and Lady Huskies
Rival Burkburnett High School
NewspaperThe Husky Howl
Oversight Texas Education Agency
International Baccalaureate
Website Hirschi High School

John R. Hirschi Math/Science International Baccalaureate Magnet High School, commonly known as Hirschi High School or HHS, was a four-year public high school in Wichita Falls, Texas, located at 3106 Borton Lane. It was an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Diploma (IBDP) and Middle Years Program (MYP) to students wishing to pursue advanced academic study in mathematics, science, English, Spanish, French, history, and the arts. Hirschi, an award-winning member of the Magnet Schools of America Association, also offered its students hands-on instruction in aviation, studio/visual art, and nursing. [2] Hirschi was one of three high schools prior to 2024 that were overseen by the Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD) and the Texas Education Agency.

Contents

History

Recognizing the urgent need for a junior and senior high school in northern Wichita Falls, benefactor and businessman John R. Hirschi turned over the ownership of property to the WFISD; and, in September 1962, John Hirschi Junior-Senior High School opened under the leadership of Principal A. D. Neal. During its inaugural year, students chose Columbia Blue and Scarlet Red as the official school colors, and the Husky as the school's mascot. Hirschi was the third oldest public high school in Wichita Falls at the time of its closure.

Even though Hirschi never saw the school completed, his daughter, Mrytle Hirschi Ledford, remained committed to the education of Hirschi students until her death in 1994, often awarding scholarships and financial assistance to students.

During the early 1970s, the school enrollment exceeded capacity, forcing the construction of a new building for a separate junior high school. The new Hirschi Junior High School was, for a brief time, called Northwest Junior High, and was later renamed Kirby Junior High in honor of former WFISD Superintendent G.H. Kirby.

The Husky Field House, which also housed the band hall, was constructed for the basketball and volleyball teams during the early 1980s and was unique to the area because of its tartan playing surfaces.

In 1992, Hirschi High School became an official magnet school by adding a strong math/science based curriculum as well as a multimillion-dollar technology lab on the second floor. In 1998, Hirschi became an IB World School and graduated its first diploma and certificate recipients in 2002. Authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Program since February 2002, Hirschi operates the program in conjunction with Kirby Junior High. [3]

In conjunction with Midwestern State University (MSU), Hirschi introduced dual-credit courses, in January 2009, to be taught on campus by an MSU professor. [4] [ dead link ]

With strong ties to the military because of the school's proximity to Sheppard Air Force Base, many Hirschi students had parents who are active duty or retired military.

In 2024 WFISD opened two new high schools – Legacy and Memorial – which opened for classes in the Fall of 2024. This meant Hirschi High shut its doors permanently at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, with students moving to one of the two new high schools. [5] The campus was turned into a middle school following the 2023-2024 school year, replacing Kirby Junior High.

Magnet programs

International Baccalaureate Program

Hirschi High School offered its students an internationally standardized program of study. [6] In March 2007, Hirschi was authorized as an IB World School, offering the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) to its juniors and seniors and the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) to its underclassmen. Kirby Junior High School, which offered the MYP to 7th and 8th grade students, partnered with Hirschi to facilitate the transition from 8th grade to 9th grade. Students who received the IB Diploma with all passing test scores were guaranteed a minimum 24 college credit hours at any Texas public university. However, students who did not wish to take all of the courses required for the diploma program could work to obtain IB Certificates in individual subjects. Hirschi students were the only high school students in the Wichita Falls area able to take both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams at the end of the year. [7] During graduation exercises in May, Hirschi diploma candidates are hooded by the IB Coordinator.

Aviation

Hirschi offered a magnet program in Aviation (the school being located near Sheppard Air Force Base), designed to give students the opportunity to learn principles of aviation and aerospace.

Medical

Sheppard is also a major Air Force medical training facility; thus, Hirschi also offered a magnet program in medicine, which allowed interested students to take specified courses that would immediately prepare them for college nursing programs and a successful career in the health care profession. Medical students not only had the opportunity to obtain their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license on campus but also were provided with the opportunity to train and work at local medical facilities such as United Regional Health Care System, the primary hospital in the Wichita Falls metropolitan area. Also, Hirschi students who successfully obtained their CNA license were awarded pins during graduation exercises in May.

Multimedia

Hirschi was home to a multimillion-dollar technology and computer lab located on the second floor of the school's campus. Students in the multimedia program at Hirschi were given the opportunity to produce work in digital graphics, animation, video production, web design, newspaper, yearbook, and professional software. Hirschi IB diploma candidates had the opportunity to choose visual arts as their additional IB course of study. As a testament to the work produced by students in Hirschi’s multimedia program, ten Telly Awards, an award honoring creativity in business commercials and visual productions, had been presented to the school. [8] [9]

Student life

Many Hirschi students balanced an academic life with the extracurricular activities the school had to offer. [10] Along with traditional student government organizations, students could participate in clubs that were dedicated to academics, community service, technology, music, JROTC, and theater arts. Many students were also able to compete in varsity-level sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, track, soccer, tennis, softball, baseball, and golf.

In the fall, students, teachers, alumni, and fans would come together during the Hirschi football season, celebrating decades of tradition by showcasing "Husky pride". [11] The Hirschi Huskies, who shared Memorial Stadium with the other two high schools in the district at the time, were usually supported by performances from the Big Blue Band from Huskyland, the Hirschi HiLites dance team, the Hirschi Cheerleaders, and the Hirschi Yell Squad.

In the spring, junior and senior students who demonstrated leadership, a commitment to service, and who maintain a high GPA were inducted in the Myrtle Hirschi Ledford Chapter of the National Honor Society. Also, among other student awards, four students from each class were chosen in the spring to receive the "Pride of Hirschi" award, which was the highest student award that could be bestowed upon a student by his or her peers.

The primary student newspaper for Hirschi was The Husky Howl which was a monthly publication. The annual yearbook was named The Husky.

Hirschi High School was classified as a Class 4A school by the University Interscholastic League and competed with other class 4A schools, in both academic and sporting events.

School awards

Teachers awards

Music awards

Athletic awards

Number Sense Team

In 2009 and 2010, the Hirschi Number Sense/Calculator team won the University Interscholastic League Class 3A Texas state number sense championship, giving the school both back-to-back team championships and an individual champion (Nathan Shih) in as many years. [13]

2009-2010 accountability rating

Based on the accountability ratings released by the Texas Education Agency in November 2010, Hirschi High School is currently rated "Academically Acceptable."

Notable alumni

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Hirschi H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Magnet Schools of America 2006 Schools of Excellence". Magnet Schools of America. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  3. ↑ "Hirschi's International Baccalaureate Organization Profile". International Baccalaureate Organization.
  4. ↑ Work, Ann (October 21, 2008). "Hirschi Teams Up with MSU for New Program". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company . Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  5. ↑ Hoggard, Joshua (January 18, 2023). "Final day of high school at Hirschi, Rider, WFHS confirmed". Texoma’s Home Page. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ Work, Ann (September 18, 2010). "Rigorous Research Required: Hirschi Class Prepares Students for Next Level". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company . Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ Work, Ann (June 18, 2010). "Rider, Hirschi Ace Rankings". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ Staff Writer (February 26, 2010). "Hirschi Wins Telly Award". Lifestyle. Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company . Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  9. ↑ Work, Ann (March 13, 2008). "Hirschi Students Win Award for Film". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company . Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  10. ↑ Work, Ann (November 22, 2009). "Hirschi Students Project Passions: Sophomores Use Interest in Social Service". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company . Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "The Husky Howl, October 2010" (PDF). The Husky Howl. Wichita Falls, Texas: Hirschi Math Science IB Magnet High School. October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  12. ↑ "What's it Like to be Teacher of the Year". The Classroom Teacher. Texas Classroom Teachers Association. Winter 2009. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  13. ↑ Work, Ann (May 20, 2010). "Hirschi is State Champ Times Two". Times Record News . Wichita Falls, Texas: E. W. Scripps Company . Retrieved May 5, 2015.

33°56′04″N98°31′44″W / 33.934551°N 98.528847°W / 33.934551; -98.528847

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