Seaman High School

Seaman High School was designated a Blue Ribbon School in 1984.[10]

Seaman High School was founded in 1920, opening to students in grades nine through twelve on October 4 of that year. The school is named for Fred A. Seaman, who was integral in the school's founding and served as its first principal. He became the school's namesake following a vote by students and their parents. Seaman High School's initial enrollment was 65 students, who were taught by seven faculty members. Seaman was one of the first three rural high schools in Kansas. Five students were in the first graduating class. The Viking was chosen as the school's official emblem in 1933. The Seaman Bank, the first high school bank in the United States, was founded in 1927.[9]

In November 1954, Seaman High moved into a new school located one-half mile west of the former school. Enrollment in 1958 was 483 students. Twenty-two teachers were on the faculty. In December 1970, the new high school at 4850 NW Rochester Rd was dedicated. The former structure at 1124 NW Lyman now houses Logan Elementary School. The school was selected as a Blue Ribbon School in 1984. The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes public and private schools which perform at high levels or have made significant academic improvements.

In January 2008, construction was completed of a freshman wing on the current building along with additions to the auditorium and the woods and metal shops. In August 2008, ninth grade, which had previously been moved to the Junior High level, was added back to the school.

In 2017, after much pressure by the student body and local area due to recent incidents in the local area and across the country, Seaman High hosted a "community conversation" discussing inappropriate online behavior, harassment, and threats.[11] Students were encouraged to report negative online behavior, and several student groups began to raise awareness around this issue.[12]

In 2018, Seaman High School's swim team became the first swim team in Topeka to win a state championship, winning by 150 points.[13]

In October 2020, Seaman High School's student newspaper released an online article confirming the circulating rumors that Fred Seaman, the school's founder, had been a leader within the Ku Klux Klan. The district's board confirmed knowledge of this information and stated that they were "aware of Fred Seaman’s affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan through research conducted by our teachers and students" and are "proud of our teachers and students for taking a strong interest and stance in learning about and identifying historical figures."[14]

The Vikings are classified as a 5A school, the second-largest classification in Kansas according to the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Throughout its history, Seaman has won several state championships in various sports.

Seaman's activities include

• Band
• Cheerleading
• Choir
• Show Choir
• Debate & Forensics
• Jazz Band
• Orchestra
• Scholar's Bowl
• Student Council
• Vikettes (Dance squad)
• Model UN

Seaman's clubs include

• Book Club
• FCA
• French Club
• German Club
• Literary Magazine
• Math Club
• Sharp
• Spanish Club
• Spirit Club
• FBLA
• Young Democrats
• Civic Engagement Club
• GSA

Seaman's organizations include

• FBLA
• FCCLA
• FFA
• Interact Club
• Key Club
• NGHS
• NHS
• SADD
• SEAMAPP
• International Thespian Society

• Rick DeHart - former MLB player (Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals)
• Wes Jackson - founder and current president of The Land Institute

• List of high schools in Kansas
• List of unified school districts in Kansas

• Official website