Homewood High School

Homewood High School (HHS) is a public high school, serving grades 9-12, in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Homewood. It is the only high school in the Homewood City School System. The student enrollment for the 2014-15 academic year was 988.^[1] The current principal is Dr. Zachary Barnes. Assistant principals are Latta Johnston, Eddie Cunningham, Amanda Esslinger, Tony Lott, and Joel Henneke ^[2] Before coming to Homewood High School, Dr. Barnes served as the principal of Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama and replaces Dr.Kevin Maddox after Dr. Maddox took the position of Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations with the Homewood Board of Education. In the summer of 2007, the front of the school was remodeled, and a new building, Pathways Alternative School, was constructed in the upper level of the student parking lot. The front office and lobby were also remodeled in the summer of 2008.^[3]

Homewood's colors are red, white, and blue and all competitive teams are known as the Patriots. HHS competes in AHSAA Class 6A.

Academics

Homewood offers 21 AP courses:

• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Latin: Vergil
• AP French Language
• AP Spanish Language
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Biology
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics B
• AP Physics C: Mechanics
• AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• AP United States History
• AP European History
• AP Psychology
• AP Comparative Government and Politics
• AP Studio Art
• AP Statistics
• AP Macro Economics

The graduating class of 2009 had 236 students, with 206 students taking at least 1 AP exam. As a whole, the class of 2009 took 475 AP exams. The AP exam "pass score" of 3 or higher was 74.9% in 2009. The S.A.T. Critical Reading mean was 572 and the Math mean was 568. The average ACT composite score was 22.8. There were 3 National Merit Finalists, 1 National Achievement Finalist, and 7 National Merit Commended students in 2009.^[4]

Music Department

The Homewood High School Patriot Marching Band participated in the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the eighth time it has performed in the parade. The band also participated in the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, California. This was the fourth time that this band has performed in this parade, which is more than any other band in the state of Alabama.^[5] Accompanying the band during performances is the Star Spangled Girls' dance line and the Patriot Guard.

Roughly 1/3rd of the high school's students participate in the band program as instrumentalists, dancers, flag corps or as managers.^[6]

Active school groups

Athletics

Homewood High School fields varsity teams in football, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, golf, tennis, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, cross country running/track and field. The football team has won a 4A state championship in 1974, and 5A state championships in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005.^[8] The Track and Field (T&F) and Cross Country teams have won seven State Championships. During the 2013-14 school year Boys' Cross Country, Boys' Indoor T&F, Boys' T&F, and Girls' T&F all won State Championships. The varsity boys' basketball team also won second place in the 6A state championship in 2008 and 2010. The Homewood Boys' Soccer team has won four 5A state championships in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2014.

Waldrop Stadium

Waldrop Stadium, in Homewood, Alabama (Bob Newton Field) is the home of the Homewood Patriots. The field is named after former head football coach Bob Newton,^[9] who led the Patriots to their five 5A wins. The stadium is home to the football, soccer, and track and field teams.

Homewood Patriot Football

The Homewood Patriot Football is currently in its 44th season of football under the leadership of head coach Ben Berguson who was named head coach and 2014. Homewood won the class 4A state championship in 1974 and the class 5A state championships in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005.

Notable alumni

• John Zimmerman (1992), World Champion & Olympic figure skater.
• Chris Gray (1988), Former NFL offensive lineman
• Evan Mathis (2000), Current starting NFL offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Aaron Ernest (2011), Sprinter for LSU - (HS) USA Today All-American and T&F News All-American, NCAA All-American, and World Jr. Silver Medalist in both the 100m and 200m in 2012
• Ameer Abdullah (2011), running-back for the Detroit Lions

References

External links

• Homewood High School homepage
• Homewood Board of Education homepage
• Homewood Bands Homepage

Coordinates: 33°29′29″N 86°42′43″W / 33.49147°N 86.7120°W / 33.49147; -86.7120