Helena High School (Alabama)

Helena High School is a public high school in Helena, Alabama. It opened in August 2014, at the beginning of the 2014–15 school year.

Helena High School
"Home of the Huskies"
Location
1310 Hillsboro Parkway
Helena, Alabama, 35080

United States
Coordinates33°16′34″N 86°52′15″W
Information
TypePublic
Opened2014
School districtShelby County Schools
PrincipalApril Brand
Teaching staff68.50 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,312 (2018-19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio19.15[1]
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Silver, Black and Bright Blue    
Athletics conferenceAHSAA
Class 6A[2]
MascotHuskies
WebsiteHelena High School Website

History

Children in grades 9 through 12 that lived in Helena had attended nearby Pelham High School since its opening in 1974, but due to major overcrowding, the Shelby County School System and City of Helena were pressured to invest in opening a new school in Helena. As a result, in September 2010, Helena announced that a high school would be opening within city limits in the next coming years. Early expectations were for the school to open in August 2013, but those expectations were gradually pushed back to a year later.[3]

Students in the classes of 2015 and 2016 (seniors and juniors) who attended Pelham High School in the 2013–14 school year, but who lived in Helena, were given the choice to remain at Pelham High or to transfer to Helena High. Those students were required to submit their decision by December 20, 2013, and those who did not submit a decision were automatically placed in HHS.[4] All sophomores and freshmen for the 2014–15 school year that lived in Helena were required to attend HHS.

On May 16, 2013, former Chelsea High School principal Jay Peoples was named the first principal of the school.[5] A large portion of the school's faculty and staff was hired from Pelham High School.

On January 12, 2014, builders discovered vandalism, including spray-painted walls and released fire extinguishers, scattered throughout the school. Five suspects, all of whom lived in Helena and were set to attend the school, were captured and charged with third degree criminal mischief and third degree burglary by January 16. The damage was estimated to cost around $1,000.[6]

Information
Entrance sign (preserved in Helena's city museum) used by the Eureka No. 4 mine, which existed where HHS stands today.

The school is located on Hillsboro Parkway opposite Helena Middle School in southwestern Helena, near the Hillsboro Trail. The school's colors are silver, black and bright blue, and its nickname is the Huskies, as voted on by students and residents of Helena on November 27, 2012.[7] In addition, the colors and mascots of the other public schools in Helena (Helena Elementary, Helena Intermediate, and Helena Middle) have been changed to concur with those of the high school.

Helena High School was built on the former site of a coal mine that operated in Helena in the early 20th century, and many artifacts found by workers building the school have been preserved in the Kenneth R. Penhale City of Helena Museum, established by its namesake, Ken Penhale, the brother of former Helena mayor of 44 years, Sonny Penhale, and maintained by them and their family.[8]

The school features several modern features, including projectors in classrooms which are interactive and can be used on any wall of the classroom, and a wing of the school which includes classrooms that can double as storm shelters that, combined, can hold all students and staff at the school.[9]

References
  1. "Helena High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  2. Bean, Josh; Sentell, Jeff. "Reclassification: AHSAA approves new classification system with creation of Class 7A". AL.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  3. Hurst, Katie. "State plans for Helena high school". Shelby County Reporter. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  4. Gentry, Katie. "Time to decide if you're going to HHS". Pelham Pacesetter. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  5. Reed, Martin J. "Helena High School's new principal has been leading Chelsea High School". AL.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  6. Posey, Melanie; Sides, Melynda. "5 teens charged in Helena High School vandalism case". FOX6 WBRC Birmingham. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  7. Wagner, Neal. "Helena High will be the Huskies". Shelby County Reporter. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  8. Snyder, Sarah. "Helena's new school sits on 1917 mine". ABC 33/40 WBMA Birmingham. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  9. Reed, Martin J. "Hey, students, here are five reasons to be excited about the new Helena High School". AL.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
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