Scottsburg Senior High School, also known as Scottsburg High School or SHS, is located in Scottsburg, Indiana, approximately 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky.
Early in the 20th century, state health inspectors notified the School Board that "adverse" heating and sanitary conditions at Scottsburg High School would cause the school's commission to be withdrawn in June 1908.[2][3] The Board began discussing a new building in 1911, since even after some improvements to the old two-story building, "in regard to space heating, lighting, ventilation, and sanitation, the old buildings have been somewhat improved in the last year but at best they are very congested, poorly heated, and with practically no ventilation or sanitation."[4] By July 1912, the Board advertised for a heating contractor, and C. E. Bacon, architect of Indianapolis, was hired to create plans for a new building.[5] A cornerstone was laid in Fall 1912, and by May 1913 the senior class was performing the class play in the new auditorium.[6] A gymnasium was added in 1926.[7]
During the Great Depression, salaries of teachers and staff had to be reduced by 5% in 1931 and again in 1932.[8] By the beginning of the 1939–1940 school year, enrollment topped out at 256 students.[8]
On April 6, 1949, most of the school's 277 pupils organized a parade in protest of the school board refusing to renew the principal's, Eugene Butler, contract. The next day, students picketed outside the school.[9] The protests were successful, and he was rehired after parents voted to reinstate him.[10][11]
By 1954, bonds were sold to citizens of Scott County to raise funds for a new gym and junior high building for the Scottsburg-Vienna Township Joint School. The Charles E. Meyer Gymnasium was finished in 1956, at a cost of US$500,000.[12]
Athletics
Scottsburg has a very impressive athletic program. Scottsburg High School's teams are the Warriors and the Warrioretts, and they compete in the Mid-Southern Conference of Indiana.[13] Scottsburg competes in twenty one varsity sports. Scottsburg High School reinstated football in 2014 and it was a full varsity sport by the Fall of 2017. SHS also has teams that compete in archery and bowling, which are not IHSAA sanctioned but sponsored by their organizations.
Scottsburg's boys' and girls' basketball teams have both been dominant traditions at the school. The Warriorettes have had seven players named to the elite Indiana All-Stars and legendary coach Donna Cheatham coached the All-Stars in 1986. In 1989, under the direction of Hall of Famer Donna Cheatham, the Scottsburg Warriorettes defeated Benton Central to win their first and only state championship in basketball. The Warriorettes have won 16 sectional titles, 10 regional titles, three semi-state titles, and one State Championship. Retired Warriorette coach Donna Cheatham is the winningest girls basketball coach in the state.
The Boys' Basketball team at Scottsburg has produced two All-Stars in LaVerne Altemeyer and Bill James. The winningest boys' coach in Scottsburg history is Jim Barley and he holds a record of 193–91. The Warriors have won 23 sectionals and six regionals. The 2022-2023 Warriors team was the IHSAA Boys Basketball Semi-State Runner Ups against Guerin Catholic with a final score of 56–40. The county rival is Austin High School located in Austin, which is also located in Scott County. The two schools have the County rivalry in boys and girls basketball Thanksgiving week.
SHS Cheer Team has won four state titles, in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
The Scottsburg Senior High School music department includes a range of ensembles—concert band, marching band, jazz band, concert percussion, winter guard, and choir—that have earned state and national recognition.
Band of Warriors
The marching band, known as the "Band of Warriors", has a long history of success in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). Since 1983, the band has qualified for ISSMA State Finals over 30 times, including a Class C state championship in 1989.[14] In the 2023 season, their show “Back to Square One” earned a first-place finish at the Floyd Central Invitational and received Gold at ISSMA Regionals.[15] The program continues strong into 2024 and 2025, maintaining a presence at regional competitions and preparations for the upcoming season.[16]
Concert ensembles—*Symphonic Band* (Group I) and *Concert Band* (Group II/III)—continue their tradition of excellence, frequently receiving Gold ratings at ISSMA Concert Band Festivals and State Finals, as well as accolades at regional events such as the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.[17]
Concert Percussion
Established in 2011, the Scottsburg Concert Percussion Ensemble competes in the TriState Marching Arts circuit and Winter Guard International (WGI). Despite being one of Indiana’s smaller schools (under 900 students), Scottsburg advanced to the WGI Scholastic Concert World Finals in 2014, 2018, and 2019.[18] In 2022, the ensemble captured the TriState Championship title, and in 2023 secured a Silver Medal in their classification. In early 2025, they continued competitors in both percussion and guard categories at TriState events.[19]
Winter Guard
Scottsburg’s Winter Guard competes in the Indiana High School Color Guard Association (IHSCGA) and the TriState circuit. The program consistently qualifies for IHSCGA State Finals in Class A and earns medals at regional competitions.[20]
Choir
The choral program at Scottsburg Senior High School is actively involved in ISSMA-organized activities, including Solo & Ensemble and Organizational Festival events. Choir members regularly advance to district and state levels, earning Gold ratings, with a notable state-level Gold in 2019. The ensemble has also participated in the Indiana Music Education Association’s *Circle the State with Song* program.[21]
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