Buchanan High School is a comprehensive public high school located in Buchanan, Michigan, United States. The school serves grades 8-12 and is part of the Buchanan Community Schools district.[4] The school and the community it serves is named after James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States.[5] Between 2012 and 2014, the school received local and national recognition for its student-led anti-bullying efforts[6][7] and was named "Nicest School in America" in 2014 by Procter & Gamble as a part of its "Mean Stinks!" anti-bullying campaign.[8][9] Since the class of 2017, all graduates residing within the school district are eligible for the Buchanan Promise scholarship which grants financial assistance towards the cost of attending a college, university or trade school.[10] The amount was initially a maximum of $10,000 per graduate, but increased to a maximum of $15,000 per graduate beginning with the class of 2022.[11]
| Buchanan High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
401 West Chicago Street , 49017 | |
| Coordinates | 41°49′27″N 86°22′02″W / 41.82417°N 86.36722°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Comprehensive public high school |
| Motto | "Seize the Opportunity Inside the Challenge" |
| Established | 1872 |
| School district | Buchanan Community Schools |
| Superintendent | Patricia Robinson[1] |
| CEEB code | 230425 |
| NCES School ID | 260714004308 |
| Principal | Brian Pruett[2] |
| Faculty | 30.50 (on FTE basis)[3] |
| Grades | 8-12 |
| Enrollment | 580[3] (2019-20) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 19.02[3] |
| Campus size | 21 acres (8.5 ha) |
| Color(s) | Maroon & White |
| Fight song | Go You Buchanan |
| Athletics conference | Lakeland Conference |
| Nickname | Bucks |
| Rivals | Berrien Springs High School & Brandywine High School |
| Yearbook | The Pines |
| Feeder schools | Buchanan Middle School |
| Website | www |
 | |
Buchanan High School | |
  | |
| Built | 1922 |
| Architectural style | Collegiate Gothic |
| Part of | Buchanan North and West Neighborhoods Historic District (ID11000863) |
| Designated CP | November 30, 2011 |
History edit
The present high school was constructed in 1922 and is designed in the Collegiate Gothic style popular during that time period. It is a two-story flat-roof structure with a dark red brick facade embedded with decorative limestone accents. Additions to the original building include the science wing on the east side, the competition gym on the northwest side and the auxiliary gym on the southwest side. The school is a contributing property in the Buchanan North and West Neighborhoods Historic District. The Buchanan Union High School existed at the same site from 1872 to 1922. A portion of the original building's first story remains standing immediately north of the Ray Miller Industrial Arts Center. The tower bell from the 1872 high school is on display just outside the main entrance to the science wing.[12][13]
Demographics edit
In the 2019–2020 school year, the demographic breakdown of the 580 students enrolled, was:[14]
- Male - 49.7%
- Female - 50.3%
- Native American/Alaskan - 0.5%
- Asian/Pacific islander - 0.7%
- Black - 3.8%
- Hispanic - 2.6%
- White - 87.1%
- Multiracial - 5.3%
Academics edit
As of 2018-2019 school year, Buchanan offered three different high school/college dual enrollment programs in partnership with local community colleges Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College. Regular Dual Enrollment students participate in college courses at the school's expense and obtain both college and high school credit for completed courses. Early College Academy (ECA) is similar to Dual Enrollment except students attend college courses during the school day and follow a set curriculum. Attainment of an associates degree by graduation is an option by completing summer college course work. Early Middle College is similar to ECA except that both a high school diploma and associate degree can be attained over five years without summer course work.[15] Advanced placement classes are offered online through the Michigan Virtual High School.[16]
The school offers specialized instruction through vocational education as part of the Berrien County Career and Technical Education Program. Courses and programs of study offered include: Agriscience, Computer Network Administration, Digital Multimedia Design, Advanced Automotive, Building & Construction Trades, Cabinet & Furniture Making, Computer Assisted Design, Machine & Tool Trades, Welding & Cutting, EMT, Professional Health Careers Academy, Sports Medicine, Law Enforcement Academy, and Culinary Arts.[17]
Athletics edit
Buchanan is a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and the Lakeland Conference. Past conference affiliations include the BCS League (2014-2022), Lakeland Athletic Conference (1980-2014), Blossomland Athletic Conference (1962-1979) and Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference (1931-1961).[18] Athletic teams compete under the nickname "Bucks" or "Lady Bucks." School colors are maroon and white. Rivals include Berrien Springs High School and Brandywine High School. The following MHSAA sanctioned sports are offered:[19]
- Baseball (boys)
- Basketball (girls and boys)
- Competitive cheerleading (girls)
- Cross country (girls and boys)
- Football (boys)
- Golf (boys)
- Soccer (girls and boys)
- Softball (girls)
- Swim and dive (girls and boys)
- Tennis (girls and boys)
- Boys state championships - 2003[25]
- Track and field (girls and boys)
- Boys state championships - 1933, 1999[26]
- Volleyball (girls)
- Wrestling (boys)
Equestrian (girls and boys) is also offered and competes in events sanctioned by the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association.[27]
Notable alumni edit
- Virgil Exner - automobile designer[28]
- Hannah Roberts - women's Freestyle BMX World Champion & Olympic Silver Medalist[29][30][31]
- Jay Town - United States District Attorney[32]
- Patience Vanderbush - Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient & Academic All-American honoree[33][32][34]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Buchanan selects newest superintendent". July 22, 2020.
- ^ "Buchanan Community Schools makes leadership changes". July 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Buchanan High School". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "Buchanan Community Schools - Berrien RESA". www.berrienresa.org. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ "Berrien County Genealogical Society - Origins - Old Place Names". Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
- ^ "Buchanan students stopping bullies". January 23, 2013.
- ^ "COOL SCHOOLS: Buchanan High School". ABC57. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "Buchanan earns 'Nicest School' distinction in nationwide contest".
- ^ "Mean Stinks club earns Buchanan 'nicest school' award". February 19, 2014.
- ^ "Buchanan Promise". Buchanan Promise. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "Buchanan Promise announces 50 percent increase in annual scholarship funding". May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Buchanan Preservation Society Resources". buchananpreservation. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Buchanan National Register Listings". google.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Buchanan High School".
- ^ "Dual Enrollment".
- ^ "About AP Courses and Exams". Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "CTE".
- ^ "Buchanan Bucks Michigan High School Football and Basketball Conference Records".
- ^ "MHSAA > Schools". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Yearly Champions - Baseball - MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "South Bend Tribune".
- ^ "Buchanan Baseball Closes 2021-22 Sports Year as Champ for 1st Time Since 1985".
- ^ "Yearly Champions - Girls Basketball - MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Yearly Champions - Boys Basketball - MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Team Champions - Boys Tennis - MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Team Champions - Boys Track & Field - MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Districts – MIHA".
- ^ Grist, Peter (2007). Virgil Exner, visioneer : the official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire. Veloce. p. 10. ISBN 978-1845841188. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Teen Hannah Roberts rises to top in BMX, Olympics in sight". USA Today.
- ^ "Hannah Roberts Wins Gold!". Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "Hannah Roberts Wins Silver In Debut of BMX Freestyle in Tokyo". Team USA. July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "April 11th, 2019 Hall of Fame Induction Event - Press Release".
- ^ "Medal of Honor Memories: Patience Vanderbush".
- ^ "Women's basketball award winners" (PDF). ncaa.org. Retrieved August 30, 2023.