Solon High School

Solon High School

Solon High School Comets Logo
Address
33600 Inwood Road
Solon, Ohio, (Cuyahoga County) 44139
United States
Coordinates 41°22′39″N 81°26′26″W / 41.37750°N 81.44056°W / 41.37750; -81.44056Coordinates: 41°22′39″N 81°26′26″W / 41.37750°N 81.44056°W / 41.37750; -81.44056
Information
Type Public high school
Established 1898
School district Solon City School District
Superintendent Joe Regano[1]
Principal Erin Short[1]
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 1,700[2]
Color(s)      Navy Blue
     White
     Gold (trim)[1]
Athletics conference Greater Cleveland Conference
Mascot None
Team name Comets[1]
Rival Twinsburg High School
Newspaper The Courier
Fight Song Across the Field
Athletic Director Mark Mcguire[1]
Website www.solonschools.org/shs

Solon High School, founded in 1898, is a public high school located in Solon, Ohio, a southeastern suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 15th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States.

It comprises grades 9 through 12, and is the only high school in the Solon City School District, which also includes Solon and Orchard Middle Schools, and four elementary schools: Arthur Road, Lewis, Parkside and Roxbury. Solon High School's student body is approximately 1,700 students while the faculty roster includes approximately 200 teachers, administrators, and staff.[2] Erin Short currently serves as principal.[3]

Academics

Solon High School

Solon High School and the entire Solon City School District consistently rank among the best schools in Ohio.[4] In 2013, Solon High School was listed as #107 on Newsweek's annual list of America's Best High Schools.[5] The school was given a Gold Ranking and listed #264 by US News and World Report, #11 in Ohio, and #100 nationally in STEM.[6]

Solon High School is one of few schools to have received Blue Ribbon awards twice, both in 1991 and 2009.[7][8]

In 2013, Solon High School was awarded the prestigious Red Quill Award from the ACT organization for the sixth consecutive year, and the Red Quill Legacy Award for the second consecutive year, for excellent overall student scores on the ACT (Test).[2] Solon was the only Ohio school to receive the award and one of 21 in the Midwest.[9]

Solon High School students are perennially recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. In 2013, 30 Solon High School students were named National Merit Semifinalists, a new record for the State of Ohio.[10] Solon High School has also had 6 Presidential Scholars in its history.[2]

Students are also often recognized for their performance on Advanced Placement Exams. Solon has over a 90% pass rate,[2] and currently offers 21 AP courses.[3] The school has had many students recognized for number of exams taken and high average scores as AP Scholars[11] and others for being members of the less than 0.005% that have received perfect scores on their exams.[12]

Athletics

The Solon Comets' athletic programs compete in the Northeast Ohio Conference (NOC) against other local area high schools.[13] Solon's high school sports rivals include Twinsburg High School, Hudson High School and Mentor High School, and Mayfield High School.

Solon's mascot is the comet and colors are blue and white.[1] The school's fight song is Ohio State's "Fight the Team Across the Field."

Solon boys' Cross Country team qualified for the State meet in Columbus for the first time in 12 years. They finished as runners up in the region and 11th in the state. Jeremy Schiele finished 7th at the State meet and was district runner up. In 2009, Conner Paez finished as state runner up with a time of 15:49. The Solon track team was undefeated in duel meets from 1992 to 2015, when they lost to Medina. Solon Boys' Swimming and Diving team were District runners-up and the Girls Swimming and Diving were District Champions in 2008. The Boys' Swimming and Diving team placed 5th at the State Tournament in 2008, and 9th in 2009, while the Girls Swimming and Diving Team placed 9th at the State Tournament in 2008, and 6th in 2009. Solon's wrestling team won the Ohio state championship in 1990. Solon's football team was the state runner-up in 2000, and participated in playoff games from 1998 through 2007, and 2009. Solon's men's basketball team won back-to-back-to-back District championships and advanced to the Elite Eight state tournament in 2005 and 2006 and sweet 16 in 2007. The baseball team was a state semi-finalist in 1983 and recorded the highest winning percentage in Solon baseball history. The girls' basketball team was the division one state runner-up in the 2006 season. The men's indoor track and field finished second runner-up in 2006. The girls' volleyball team was in the state final four in 2000 and 2006. The men's track team has been undefeated in dual meets since 1992. The boys' Ice Hockey team has had recent success with 4 division titles (2008,2009,2011, 2012) and a Baron Cup III title in 2008. .

Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships

Sports offered

  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Girls/boys basketball
  • Baseball
  • Bowling
  • Gymnastics
  • Softball
  • Lacrosse
  • Girls/boys golf
  • Hockey
  • Cross Country
  • Track and Field
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Football and basketball Cheerleading

Academic teams

Solon High School has many academic teams, including Science Olympiad, Academic Challenge, Mock Trial, Speech and Debate, Model United Nations, and Future Problem Solvers. Many of these teams have previously placed in tournaments at the national level.

Academic Challenge

Led by coach Peter Bergman, the Solon High School Academic Challenge team has been among the best in state for over a decade and has competed in the National Academic Quiz Tournaments High School National Championship for eight straight years, earning a fifth-place finish in 2015.[16] A team consisting of Ashu Udipi, Benjamin Lehrman, Ethan Huang, Jasper Lee, and Nishanth Uli won the 2010 Ohio Academic Competition state championship as well as a t17th finish at the NAQT High School National Championship.[17][18] Former coach Bob Weiser was awarded the 2006 Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Award by the Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence for promoting the growth of quiz bowl throughout the state of Ohio.[19]

Science Olympiad

In 1998, Solon Science Olympiad earned its first National Championship, and placed second in the nation in both 2003 and 2008. Solon Science Olympiad was again first at the 2011, 2012, and 2013 National Tournaments. This ties Solon High School with Troy High School from Fullerton, California for most National Tournament wins in a row. They were invited to and attended the White House Science Fair two times and received commendations from the Ohio State Legislature as a result of these accomplishments. In 2014, they received 5th place at the National Tournament. In 2015 however, they did not qualify for nationals.[20]

Musical groups

Bands

Solon High School has wind ensemble, orchestral, and choral programs. Some of the funds that these programs receive come from the school-associated non-profit organization the Solon Music Parents.[21]

The school maintains a large band program with over 270 students.[22]

During the summer and fall, all students enrolled in the school's band course perform with the full marching band. The group hosts a "Band Bash" every year,[23] during which local marching bands perform. The band has performed during halftime shows for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns, as well as performed the National Anthem for the Cleveland Indians pregame.[22][24][25] There is a voluntary pep band that plays at school rallies and athletic events.

In the winter and spring, the band transitions to three concert bands, Wind Ensemble, Blue Symphonic Band, and White Symphonic Band. All students must audition individually with the directors of the band. The Wind Ensemble is made up of the top players and then the rest of the students are evenly split by talent between the Blue and the White Symphonic bands. It is mandatory for all members to participate in Marching and Concert Band.

Solon currently has two jazz bands for students to perform in, Jazz I and Jazz II, available by audition only. The Jazz band has traveled to New Orleans twice to learn about Jazz and the history of Jazz, and performed with jazz stars including Wayne Bergeron and Eddie Daniels.[26][27][28]

The orchestra has approximately 180 students and is split into two orchestras. Sinfonia and concert orchestra. Students interested in playing in Sinfonia must audition. Often, a handful of band members will play with the chamber orchestra at concerts. Concert Orchestra is the larger orchestra.

Choirs

Solon Music in Motion Rankings[29]
School Year National Rank Points
2014 62 83.6
2013 9 117.6
2012 5 126.4

There are five main choruses that comprise the Choral Program including: 9th Grade Women's (SSAA), 9th grade Men's Chorus (TTBB), Concert Choir (SATB), A cappella Choir (SATB), and Music in Motion (SATB). In September 2007, Gary Lewis, started as the choir director at Solon High School, and continues to enrich to music program today. In addition there are extra-curricular ensembles such as the most premiere group "The Madrigals," and various female and male barbershop quartets formed by students.[30]

Music in Motion is the Solon High School show choir. The group has won numerous Grand Championships in several Midwest competitions, and had an undefeated season in 2012.[31][32] Solon transitioned in recent years from hosting a non-competition Festival to a full Show Choir Invitational.[33]

Media

The Solon Courier is the school newspaper which is written and edited by students.[34]

Solon Education Television (SETV) is a local public'access television station that is broadcast from the school. The Solon High School Club, Comet Productions, staffs all the events aired. The station currently airs original programming such as SHS graduation, sports, Solon Board meetings, band, choir, and orchestra concerts, the annual Honor Society talent show, and drama club productions.

Comet Productions is open to all students with an interest in video production, for sports, concerts, and musicals. Every event aired on SETV is almost entirely run by the students including camera, audio, director, grips, handheld, or producer. The group is supervised by Joe Ferencie and Classic Teleproductions.[35]

Solon Community Television was a local public-access television station that aired original programming and was broadcast from Solon High School SCTV Studio 1. Now, SCTV Studio 1 has been converted into a classroom for a communications course; the last broadcast from Studio 1 was in 2009.[36]

Extracurricular activities

Clubs and student organizations

Active student organizations include the following. Others can be formed with faculty adviser support.[37]

  • Academic Challenge
  • American Field Service
  • Amnesty International
  • Asian Culture Club
  • Book Club
  • Chess Club
  • Comet Productions
  • CometSoft Game Design Club
  • Council for Exceptional Children
  • Creative Writing Club
  • Diversity Acceptance Program
  • Drama Club
  • Fashion Club
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Fencing Club
  • French Culture Club
  • Future Business Leaders of America
  • Future Problem Solvers
  • Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Images
  • Independent Film Club
  • Interact
  • Intrinsic Art Club
  • Israeli Culture Club
  • Italian Club
  • Junior State of America
  • Key Club
  • Lab Link
  • Lorax
  • Math Club
  • Military Club
  • Mock Trial
  • Model United Nations
  • Music for Society
  • O Ambassadors
  • Outdoor Club
  • Photo Club
  • Pre-Med Society
  • Relay For Life
  • Students Against Destructive Decisions
  • Science Olympiad
  • Ski and Snowboard Club
  • Speech and Debate Team
  • Sports Reporters Club
  • Student Council
  • Yearbook
  • Young Association of Comedians
  • Young Conservatives Club
  • Young Liberals Club

Notable alumni

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ohio High School Athletic Association member directory". Ohio High School Athletic Association. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Solon High School College Profile" (PDF). Solon City Schools. 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Program of Studies 2014-2015" (PDF). Solon City Schools. 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Final State Report Card Release Confirms Solon Earns Northeast Ohio's #1 Report Card grade and Excellent with Distinction rating". Solon City Schools. February 28, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  5. ↑ "America's Best High Schools". Newsweek. 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Solon High School Overview". US News and World Report. 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  7. ↑ Pace, Pattie (September 25, 2008). "Solon High gets A Blue Ribbon". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  8. ↑ "National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Schools Recognized 1982 Through 2013" (PDF). United States Department of Education. 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  9. ↑ Price, Kyla (February 7, 2013). "Solon only high school in Ohio to receive Red Quill Legacy Award". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ Mazollini, Chris (September 12, 2012). "Solon High Has 30 National Merit Semi-Finalists, The Most Ever". Patch Media. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  11. ↑ Price, Kyla (September 25, 2012). "Current and former Solon High School students honored as top AP scholars". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  12. ↑ Price, Kyla (January 24, 2013). "Two Solon students among only 88 globally to land perfect scores on AP exams". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Member Schools". NOC. 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "Ohio High School Athletic Association Website". Ohio High School Athletic Association. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
  15. ↑ "State Championship Listing". Yappi Sports Wrestling. Retrieved February 12, 2007.
  16. ↑ "2015 HSNCT Results". National Academic Quiz Tournaments. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Solon High School Tournament Results". National Academic Quiz Tournaments. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  18. ↑ "OAC Past State Champions". Ohio Academic Competition. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Cooper Award Recipients". Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Solon High School Science Olympiad". Science Olympiad scioly.org. 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Solon Music Parents". Solon City Schools. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  22. 1 2 "About Us". Solon Band. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  23. ↑ Mazzolini, Chris (September 8, 2011). "Solon High Hosts Band Bash Saturday". Patch Media. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Solon Marching Band Performs at Cavaliers Halftime". Youtube.com. August 9, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  25. ↑ Reichard, Doug (October 11, 2010). "Solon Band Browns Halftime". Youtube.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Solon Parent Teacher Association Newsletter" (PDF). Solon City Schools. January 1, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Wayne Bergeron Concert Information". Solon Music Parents. 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Meeting Minutes 2009". Solon Music Parents. 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  29. ↑ Anderson, Beth. "National Show Choir Rankings". National Show Choir Ranking System. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  30. ↑ Lewis, Gary (August 27, 2009). "Solon High School Choral Activities" (PDF). Solon City Schools. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Music in Motion 2012". ShowChoir.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  32. ↑ Price, Kyla (January 31, 2013). "Solon High School's Music in Motion choir tops in nation". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  33. ↑ Deininger, Maggie (March 14, 2011). "Solon Show Choir Festival Transforms into Competition Next Year". Patch Media. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Solon Courier". Twitter. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  35. ↑ Reid, Sue (July 4, 2013). "City committee learns education TV details". Chagrin Valley Today. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Solon Community Television". Solon City Schools. 1998. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  37. ↑ "SHS Clubs/Activities". Solon City Schools. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
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