North Springs High School

North Springs Charter High School
Location
7447 Roswell Road Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Information
Type	Public
Established	1963
Principal	Dr. Lisa Stueve
Enrollment	1,331
Colors Mascot	Orange & Blue Spartan

North Springs Charter High School (formerly North Springs High School (1963–2007) and North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences is a public secondary school located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Students may participate in the Visual & Arts component and/or the Mathematics & Science component depending on their qualifications and abilities. It is the only magnet school in the Fulton County School System that offers both music and sciences. The other magnet schools in the county providing these subjects are Westlake High School (sciences) and Tri-Cities High School (arts). Students participating in the Visual & Performing Arts component study in these areas through group and class activities, exhibits, performances, and community involvement. Students in the Mathematics and Science component can take math and science classes that would not normally be available in high school, e.g. Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry. North Springs has become one of the smallest (public) high schools in Fulton or Cobb counties, along with Riverwood High School, which covers the rest of Sandy Springs.

School Information

North Springs Charter High School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Georgia Department of Education. The majority of the 2005 graduating class (97%) attends a four or two year college, and 68% of the 2005 graduating class are HOPE scholars. North Springs was a Georgia School of Excellence, a Grammy Signature School (1997), and a U.S. News & World Report Outstanding High School (2000). It was also one of Newsweek Magazine's Top 300 High Schools (2000). It gained Charter status for the 2007-2008 school year. The school has had many individual athletic achievements, and also has won a state title in soccer in 1969, two state championships in wrestling in 1976 and 77, and two state championships in track and field in 2004 and 2005. Many world-class musicians, dancers, artists, and actors have honed their talents at North Springs.

SAT Averages

		Verbal	Math	Total
2005	Composite	542	543	1085
2004	Composite	550	558	1108
2003	Composite	532	546	1078
2005	M/S Magnet	612	561	1173
2005	Arts Magnet	554	535	1089
2005	Dual Magnet	631	630	1261
2005	County Mean	520	536	1056
2005	Georgia Mean	497	496	993
2005	National Mean	508	520	1028

ACT Averages

		NSHS	System	State
2005	Composite	22	21	20
2004	Composite	23	20	21
2003	Composite	21	21	20

Magnet programs

North Springs has a dual magnet program.

The mission of the North Springs Charter High School Science Magnet Program is to provide a higher academic level of scientific and mathematics education through problem-based learning centered in technology and research. The classes offered through this program are Biochemistry, Career Math/Science–Advanced Research Methods, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Research Methods in Science, Science, Technology, and Society, Science Topics/Issues–Advanced Research Methods, Topics and Issues in Medical Ethics, Topics and Issues in Engineering, and Techniques in Engineering.

The Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Program is an interest-based program that enables students to receive pre-professional training that extends beyond the introductory level. The program provides exploration into such areas as music theory, history of the arts, composition, conducting, choreography, playwriting, directing, art production, and art criticism. Students are required to earn eight art magnet credits over the course of four years. The Arts Magnet is split into a Theater Magnet, Choral Magnet, Dance Magnet, Film Magnet, Music Magnet, and Visual Arts Magnet.

Notable alumni

• Usher Raymond - RnB Singer
• Channing Crowder - Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins (from University of Florida)
• Aisling Sistrunk - actress on the 90's Nickelodeon sitcom My Brother and Me
• Verron Haynes - Running back for the Atlanta Falcons (from University of Georgia)
• Efrem Hill - Wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos (from Samford University)
• Mikey Post - Actor
• Raven-Symoné - Actress best known for her role on The Cosby Show and for her Disney Channel hit show "That's So Raven"
• Faith Salie - Actor and host of PRI's Fair Game with Faith Salie on NPR
• John Schneider - Actor ("Bo Duke" from the hit show "The Dukes of Hazard" and Jonathan Kent from Smallville)
• Brook Steppe - former NBA player and basketball player at Georgia Tech
• Jordan Hill- Power Forward from the University of Arizona. Overall 8th Pick in 2009 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and currently with Houston Rockets.
• Matt Robinson(NFL Quarterback)-Played six seasons with The New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills

North Springs Cluster

North Springs Charter School draws students from a cluster of middle and elementary schools, which work together to complete k-12 education. The cluster includes the following schools:

• Sandy Springs Middle School
• Ison Springs Elementary School*
• Dunwoody Springs Charter Elementary School
• Spalding Drive Charter Elementary School
• Woodland Charter Elementary School

Student activities

Academic Organizations

• Diplomacy Club
• Junior State of America
• Math Team
• Mock Trial Team
• Science Bowl Team
• Academic Bowl Team

Athletic & Recreational

• Golf Club
• JROTC Drill Team
• JROTC Raider Team
• JROTC Color Guard
• JROTC RIfle Team
• JROTC Academic Bowl
• Safari Club
• The High Country Adventure Club
• The Rowing Club
• Ultimate
• Career/Success Organizations
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Future Teacher's Club
• VICA
• VOCA

Computers & Electronics

• Anime Club
• Computer Security Club
• E3 - Video Gaming Club
• Technology Student Association (TSA)

Hobbies & Interests

• Asian Club
• Bad Movie Club
• Brazilian Club
• Cereal Club
• Chess Club
• Cooking Club
• Knorth Springs Knitting Club
• Lost (TV series) Club
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• New Frontiers
• RTS and RPG
• Secular Alliance of North Springs
• Trash to Treasures
• Younglife

Linguistic Organizations

• Latin Club
• Le Cercle Français
• Spanish Club

Music Ensembles

• Philharmonic Orchestra
• Wind Ensemble
• Concert Band
• Spartan Jazz Ensemble
• Spartan Marching Band
• Tri-M Music Honor Society
• Tropical Springs Steel Drum Ensemble

Performing Arts

• Film Club
• International Thespian Society
• JROTC Color Guard
• NSHS Tech Crew
• Show Choir
• Urban Arts Club

Science/Environmental Organizations

• Environmental Club
• Science National Honor Society
• Science Team

Service/Volunteer Organizations

• 21st Century Leaders
• National Beta Club
• Habitat for Humanity
• Heifer Club
• Interact
• Make-A-Wish Club
• National Honor Society
• Ronald McDonald House Club
• Safety Ambassadors
• Speak GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance)
• Think Pink

SGA (Student Government Association)

(More information about SGA can be found below)

• Student Council
• Freshman Class Council
• Sophomore Class Council
• Junior Class Council
• Senior Class Council
• Executive Council
• Student Court

Student Publications

• The Oracle (Newspaper); It has won numerous awards in state and regional competitions.
• The Phalanx (Yearbook)
• Echo (Literary magazine)

Visual Arts

• National Art Honor Society

Writing & Reading

• Spoken Word Club
• Spartan Writers' Circle

Drama Department

The NSCS Drama Department has accomplished many prestigious things in its 10 years of existence. In 2006 they took Urinetown: The Musical to the American High School Theater Festival as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2008 they returned to AHSTF at their invitation to perform Bat Boy: The Musical.

Student government

At the end of the 2005-2006 school year, members of the North Springs Student Council, a facet of the Student Government, set forth to rewrite the constitution of the student government to better serve the students. The changes were implemented for the elections for the following school year, and the new student government began operating on the new constitution in mid-2006. The new constitution called for a reorganization of the existing student government. Concepts were borrowed from student governments across the nation to create a state-of-the-art student governing body. One of the main focuses outlined in the constitution was the concept of student advocacy. New branches of the student government were created and old branches were reorganized.

Under the 2006 constitution, the Student Government Association (SGA) was organized. It includes four branches of government.

• The Student Council, creating a body of students made up of a representative from each advisement (homeroom) and club presidents.

• A Student Court to review appeals on honor code violations, parking permits, and other minor disciplinary infractions. Students wishing to have rulings reviewed submit a case form for review by five student judges and two faculty judges to make recommendations on. Though the rulings hold no power, the administration gets a report on and the recommendation about the case. Recent cases have led to the court giving recommendations concerning controversial school policies (such as absences on days that students are taking AP exams and permitting personal laptops), to which the administration has heeded in some cases.

• Four class councils were kept intact by the constitution and duties for each were outlined in the new constitution. The fourth branch of government was patterned after the original student council concept.

• The Executive Council is the main governing body of the SGA with officers that oversee the other facets of the government. Officers include the president, vice president, treasurer (who keeps a book known as "the big book" that contains helpful information and tips for years to come), secretary, an Officer of Student Court Affairs (OSCA) (who is a liaison between the Executive Council and Student Court), and a Spartan Officer of Spirit (SOS) (who is in charge of all spirit activities). The council also includes a maximum of five representatives from each grade. The Executive Council oversees a lot of activities and is in charge of student advocacy. They act as a liaison between faculty, administration, and students. The Executive Council sponsors monthly "Town Hall" meetings where the student population is invited to share ideas and concerns. Also under the new constitution, new disciplinary measures were created to ensure the council runs smoothly.

Support Organizations

• Local School Advisory Council (LSAC): provides advice, recommendations, and assistance to the principal. Georgia law details the composition of the council, its responsibilities, and procedures for conducting business.
• Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA): collaborates on projects that benefit students at North Springs and that bring valuable resources to the classroom.
• Friends of North Springs High School (FONSHS) Foundation: is dedicated to supporting the programs at North Springs.
• Friends of Math and Science (FOMAS) - an organization that assists the math and science magnet.

External links

• North Springs Performing Arts Website
• North Springs Charter School Website
• Fulton County School System Website
• Friends of North Springs High School Foundation Website