Ramsay High School

Ramsay High School
Address
1800 13th Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama
United States
Information
School type Magnet
Established 1930
School district Birmingham City Schools
Principal Cassandra Fincher-Fells
Faculty 42
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 758
Student to teacher ratio 18:1
Color(s) Royal blue and white         
Athletics AHSAA Class 6A
Nickname Rams
Website http://www.bhamcityschools.org/Domain/12

Ramsay High School is a four-year magnet high school in Birmingham, Alabama. It is one of seven high schools in the Birmingham City School System and one of three International Baccalaureate schools in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Originally called Southside High School, it was later renamed in honor of industrialist Erskine Ramsay.[1] School colors are royal blue and white, and the athletic teams are called the Rams. Ramsay competes in AHSAA Class 6A athletics.[2]

History

Ramsay's campus was designed by the firm of Warren Knight and Davis with William B. Ittner of St Louis, Missouri, as a consulting architect. The design called for multi-story facades facing north and south, wings for a cafeteria and auditorium, and expansive terraces. Only the south-facing portion of the central building was finished.

The school opened on September 19, 1930, and was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1932. The auditorium and athletic facilities were constructed in 1949, and a flat-roofed annex was added onto the main building in 1962.

In 1975, Ramsay High School became a magnet school that served gifted students from throughout the city. It is now an International Baccalaureate school and the only Birmingham city school to focus exclusively on college preparation.

A $21 million renovation was completed in 2009, resulting in a new science wing, competition gym, ROTC program space, counseling office, and cafeteria. The 1962 "flat top" annex was demolished to expand the school's courtyard and parking lot.[1]

Student profile

Enrollment in grades 9-12 for the 2013–14 school year is 758 students. Approximately 99% of students are African-American and 1% are white. Roughly 61% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch.[3]

Ramsay has a graduation rate of 99%. Approximately 95% of its students meet or exceed proficiency standards in both reading and mathematics. The average ACT score for Ramsay students is 22 and the average SAT composite is 1450.[4]

Academics

International Baccalaureate Program

The IB Diploma Programme at Ramsay High School is a challenging and comprehensive two-year curriculum for motivated high school students. Juniors and seniors take six rigorous courses in the following subject groups: English; second language; experimental sciences; the arts; math; and individuals and societies. IB students also engage in three core requirements: an extended essay (4,000 words); theory of knowledge (interdisciplinary course); and creativity, action, service (community service). The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced pre-university program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at university and in life beyond.[5]

Curriculum

Ramsay students can take one or more of the following Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses:[6]

  • English Language & Composition (AP)
  • English Literature & Composition (AP and IB)
  • Biology (AP and IB)
  • Calculus (AP)
  • Chemistry (AP and IB)
  • French (IB)
  • Mathematics (IB)
  • Music (IB)
  • Photography (AP)
  • Physics (AP)
  • Spanish (IB)
  • Studio Art (AP and IB)
  • Theater (IB)
  • Theory of Knowledge (IB)
  • US Government (AP)
  • US History (AP and IB)

Athletics

Ramsay competes in AHSAA Class 6A athletics and fields teams in the following sports:[7]

Ramsay has won a total of 25 state championships in the following sports:

Notable alumni

References

  1. 1 2 "Ramsay High School - Bhamwiki". www.bhamwiki.com. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  2. ↑ "AHSAA School Classification 2016-18".
  3. ↑ "Ramsay High School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  4. ↑ "Ramsay High School in Birmingham, AL - Niche". K-12 School Rankings and Reviews at Niche.com. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  5. ↑ "Academics / International Baccalaureate Programme". www.bhamcityschools.org. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  6. ↑ "Academics / Advanced Placement". www.bhamcityschools.org. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  7. ↑ "ATHLETICS / Home". www.bhamcityschools.org. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  8. ↑ "Phillip Alford". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2010-07-07.

Coordinates: 33°29′53″N 86°47′53″W / 33.498°N 86.798°W / 33.498; -86.798

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