Norman High School's history began in 1890 with the construction of the township's first high school, located at what was then the west side of the city. The institution was the only educational facility in Norman, tutoring students from elementary through high school. In the early 1900s, the original high school building burned down following an attempt to condemn the school. After the fire, Norman lacked an official high school building for 15–19 years. During this time, students were taught in homes, businesses, churches and other facilities. The second structure to house Norman High was located off of Porter Avenue and was used until 1954 when the current building was constructed, leaving the old building to become Central Mid-High, and eventually, Longfellow Middle School.
In 2014, students and community members staged a protest amid allegations that the school mishandled a rape investigation and "punished the victims for being victims." The school expelled the alleged rapist, and when charges were formally brought against him, a spokesperson for Norman Public Schools released a statement that the school district's leadership was "pleased that charges were filed." Court proceedings resulted in a 10-year prison sentence, of which eight were suspended.[4][5][6][7][8]
Academics
Curriculum highlights include:
CareerTech
Students interested in technical and career-specific skills to prepare for such careers as automotive, child care, computers, construction, cosmetology, industrial technology, health care, or landscaping may Dual Enroll in one- or two-year programs at Moore Norman Technology Center, affiliated with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
Dual enrollment
Juniors and seniors may take courses at local colleges and universities, including the University of Oklahoma, Rose State College, and Oklahoma City Community College.
Communications
Norman High's student newspaper, The Tiger Tribune (formerly TigerTalk) has received multiple awards for its student journalism. In 2009, The Tiger Tribune was awarded the OIPA Sweepstakes award, the highest honor awarded for high school newspapers in Oklahoma. Media students also have the ability to study broadcasting, production, and videography in association with local Public-access television channel 18.[9][10]
Yearbook
Students in yearbook produce The Trail yearbook, which has also received state and national level awards.
The Norman High School Trail yearbook placed in the top three Division 1 yearbooks in the state at Oklahoma Scholastic Media's Fall Media in 2013.[10]
At the National Scholastic Press Association Conference in Boston, the 2012–13 Edition of The Trail won first place in the Best in Show competition for yearbooks that are 275–324 pages.[11]
Special education
Norman Public Schools provides comprehensive services to many qualifying students.
Fine and performing arts
Norman High offers a wide array of courses allowing for an in-depth exploration of the arts, including drawing and painting, photography, debate, acting, music, and modern dance.
Music
The music department encompasses the marching band, three concert bands (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, & Concert Band), two concert orchestras (Symphonic and Philharmonia), and several choirs.
Alternative education
An alternative high school program offers a different approach to learning with a nontraditional curriculum in a more structured environment.
Guidance and counseling
A team of five counselors provides support and services to students in areas including course placement, personal adjustment, and college and career counseling. The counselors offer students the opportunity to individualize their education plans to better suit their needs starting next school year as part of the IEP (Individual Education Plan) program.[9]
Advanced course offerings
Norman High provides students with Advanced Placement (AP) coursework in a variety of subjects including Computer Programming, Psychology, Studio Art, English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition, United States History, Government, Human Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C, Calculus AB and BC, and Spanish.
Also available are the two-year, mentored AEGIS English and AEGIS Math programs. Students can apply at the end of their sophomore year, and 20–25 students are selected for each program.[9]
Graduation requirements
English – 4 units
Math – 3 units (Algebra I or greater)
Science – 3 units
World History – 1 unit
U.S. History – 1 unit
U.S. Government – 1/2 unit
Oklahoma History – 1/2 unit
Electives – 8 units
Fine Arts – 2 unit
Total – 23 units
Norman High School football field and track in 2017. Left in the background is Norman High School.
Athletics
Norman High School has a rich tradition in athletics, having won a state championship in women's basketball in 2005, men's basketball in 1955, 1963 and 1970, 1990 (28–0), and 1999; women's soccer in 2004 and 2005; boys' soccer in 1986, 1993, 1997, and 1999; football in 1992; baseball in 1958 and 1995; girls' basketball in 1995; boys' cross country in 2011; and girls' cross country in 2017. [citation needed]
The Tiger Tribune, the monthly student newspaper, won the OSM/OIPA All-Oklahoman award in 2008, 2009 and 2010. At the 2010 OSM/OIPA Spring Media Monday the newspaper won the All-Oklahoman award. In 2009 the newspaper won the coveted OSM/OIPA Sweepstakes award, the highest award given by OSM/OIPA. Along with the Sweepstakes and the All-Oklahoman awards, the newspaper won the Spirit Award at the annual Spring Media Monday of 2009.
The Norman High Botball robotics team did very well at the Oklahoma Botball Regional competition as well as at the National competition from 2002 to 2007, including two national championships in 2005 and 2006 under the leadership of John W. Romanishin '07, now a researcher in the MIT Distributed Robotics Laboratory. The team also won the Global Competition in 2018.
The speech and debate team lost the state championship in speech and debate for the first time in 1998. It then won the state championship in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2017. They also regularly send teams of four to five students to the National Debate Tournament held in June by the National Forensic League, sending a record 14 students in the summer of 2006. The National Speech and Debate Association champion in Lincoln-Douglas debate for 2015, Nicky Halterman, was from Norman High School.[14]
Norman High has produced numerous National Merit Scholars and Presidential Scholars.
In 1989 Norman High School was awarded the Oklahoma Blue Ribbon award of excellence.
NHS Fight Song
Fight on, Norman High!
And to your school be true!
Lift up your head with pride
In all you say and do.
Fight on, Norman High!
We'll always do our best.
We are the orange and black
of N! H! S!
Lucy Koh, '86, United States Circuit Judge, first federal district court judge of Korean descent in the United States, and first Korean American female federal circuit judge in the United States
