Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)

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Independence High School
Independence High School Front Entrance.jpg
Independence High School, 2023
Address
Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)
1967 Patriot Dr

Mint Hill, North Carolina (Charlotte mailing address)
28227

United States
Coordinates 35°11′50″N80°41′14″W / 35.1973°N 80.6872°W / 35.1973; -80.6872
Information
Other namesThe Big I, Indy
Type Public
Motto"Ensuring success for all students."
Established1967(57 years ago) (1967)
CEEB code 340673
PrincipalAmy Mims
Staff115.01 (FTE) [1]
Number of students2,022 (2022–23) [1]
Student to teacher ratio17.58 [1]
Color(s)Green and gold
  
MascotPatriot
Website www.cmsk12.org/independenceHS

Independence High School (or, The Big I) is a high school in Mint Hill, North Carolina [2] (with a Charlotte mailing address). The school mascot is the Patriots and the school colors are green and gold.

Contents

Academics

The school no longer has magnet programs, since the International Baccalaureate program was relocated to another school several years ago. However, the Academy of International Studies has now been incorporated into Independence, creating a 'school within a school' feeling. This program is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and encourages students to be aware of both their communities and the world. [3] The Academy of Engineering was also later added, which is funded by NAF. In 2006, more than twenty students participated in an exam to be able to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina, a state-sponsored program for extremely gifted students, established by NC senator Terry Sanford. The previous year, six students from Independence met all the requirements to participate in the School. The requirements include writing two essays and receiving teacher recommendations. [4] Though school officials expected more students to be accepted into the program, only two students made the cut in 2007.

Athletics

In sports, Independence High School, also known as "the Big I" or "Indy" are a part of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and compete in the Southwestern 4A Conference. [5] The schools team name is the Patriots, with the school colors being green and gold.

Independence Patriots Football

During the 2000s, the Independence varsity football team, coached by Tom Knotts and Bill Geiler, won 109 straight games, [6] that included seven straight North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) State Championships (4–AA). Their streak ended on September 1, 2007, when Cincinnati Ohio's Elder High School defeated Independence in overtime, 41–34. [7] Independence holds the national record winning streak for a public school football team, with 109 straight wins without a loss. [8] De La Salle High School holds the longest win streak overall, private or public, with 151 wins.

Former head coach Tom Knotts has won a North Carolina 4A record of seven state championships, six state championships won at Independence and one at West Charlotte. Coach Knotts has taken every school he has coached at to the state championship game. He also has the best winning percentage of any NC head football coach to coach at least 20 years or longer. Knotts became known for turning formerly average teams into powerhouse programs (Harding, Independence, Dutch Fork).

The Patriots would continue their winning streak in the absence of head coach Tom Knotts in 2004. In that year, Independence had its strongest year of its streak and the most dominant year in the history of the state averaging 54 points a game and averaging 8 points against them. During Coach Knotts absence, Bill Geiler took over head coaching duties. Coach Knotts left for a season to be the quarterbacks coach for the Duke Blue Devils football program, but returned to Independence after a single season at his alma mater. After Coach Tom Knotts left Independence in 2009, Coach Bill Geiler took back over as head coach for three years from 2010–2012. [8]

During their long winning streak, the Independence football team was invited to appear on the NFL pre-game show before the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday, October 1, 2006.

Independence Patriots Basketball

The Patriots Men's Varsity Basketball team won the NCHSAA State Championship (4–A) in 1997 versus Richmond Senior High School. The Men's Varsity Basketball team would win the NCHSAA 4A State Championship again in 2018, against Heritage High School.

NCHSAA State Championships
SportYear(s)
Baseball1984 (4A)
Boys Basketball1997 (4A), 2018 (4A)
Football2000 (4A), 2001 (4A), 2002 (4AA), 2003 (4AA), 2004 (4AA), 2005 (4AA), 2006 (4AA)
Boys Outdoor Track & Field1985 (Open)
Girls Outdoor Track & Field1999 (4A), 2002 (4A)
Softball1999 (4A)
Boys Soccer1970 (Open)

Notable alumni

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Independence High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Zoning Map" (PDF). Mint Hill. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation". How We Work. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "NC Governor's School Nomination Requirements" (PDF). NC Governor's School. NC Governor's School. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "NC Southwestern 4A Sports" . Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "ESPN High Elite 25 High Football Rankings - ESPN". ESPN . Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Groeschen, Tom (2007-09-03). "Down goes Independence, 109-game win streak - USATODAY.com". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Coach Tom Knotts". Home Teams Online. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  9. ↑ https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/a-look-at-the-2005-charlotte-eagles-pro-soccer-team/n-3144910. ourpsortscentral.com. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  10. ↑ NC Senate District 41| Incumbent Jeff Tarte faces two challengers. The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 18 December, 2019.
  11. ↑ "N.C. woman is new Miss USA". Charlotte Observer. April 20, 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  12. ↑ Austin Duke - Football - Charlotte Athletics. charlotte49ers.com. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  13. ↑ Football: Radell Lockheart. gocatawbaindians.com. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  14. ↑ Bio - Dave Moody. davemoody.com. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  15. ↑ Jobey Thomas - Men's Basketball - UNC Charlotte. charlotte49ers.com. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  16. ↑ Tony White Stats. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
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