Herbert Henry Dow High School

Herbert Henry Dow High School (H.H. Dow High School) is a public high school located in Midland, Michigan, United States. The school, a part of Midland Public Schools, is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence[5] and in 2008 was named one of the top 20 High Schools in Michigan in a study commissioned by U.S. News & World Report.[6]

Herbert Henry Dow High School
Address
Map
3901 North Saginaw Road

,
48640

United States
Coordinates43°38′23.41″N 84°16′31.61″W / 43.6398361°N 84.2754472°W / 43.6398361; -84.2754472
Information
TypePublic high school
Established1968
School districtMidland Public Schools
CEEB code232585
NCES School ID262382006068[1]
PrincipalJames Cochran
Teaching staff63.45 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades912
GenderCo-ed
Enrollment1,268 (2022–23)[1]
Student to teacher ratio19.98[1]
Campus size67.140 acres (27.171 ha)[2]
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Green and gold    
Fight songAcross the Field
Athletics conferenceSaginaw Valley League, MHSAA
NicknameChargers
RivalMidland High School[3][4]
AccreditationNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools
NewspaperUpdate
YearbookThe Charger
Feeder schoolsJefferson Middle School
Websitedhs.midlandps.org

History edit

The facility, also known as H.H. Dow High School, Dow High or Midland Dow is one of two high schools in the Midland Public School district, and a member of the Saginaw Valley High School Association. The facility was intended to alleviate overcrowding at Midland High School and construction of the 270,000-square-foot (25,000 m2) building was completed in 1968 at a cost of $9,172,303. The school was named in honor of Herbert Henry Dow, founder of the Dow Chemical Company, based in Midland. When the school opened in 1968, only sophomores were in attendance, and they would be the first class to graduate in 1971. One grade was added each year and the school included grades 10–12 until a freshman class was added in 1997. A$2.2 million science wing with 4,800 square feet (450 m2) was added in 1999. Music and athletic facilities were enhanced in 2005 as part of a 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) building expansion which cost $3,827,697.[5]

Academics edit

Student assessments
2021–22 school
year[7]
Change vs.
prior year[7]

M-STEP 11th grade proficiency rates
(Science / Social Studies)
Advanced %16.1 / 26.5
Proficient %26.9 / 31.5
PR. Proficient %9.7 / 35.1
Not Proficient %47.3 / 6.8
Average test scores
SAT Total1111.3
(  −6.1)

Dow High School has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools every year since 1972.[8] According to the 2016 school improvement plan, there were 85 staff and faculty members. Nearly two-thirds of the instructors held a master's degree or higher and all were "highly qualified" for their teaching assignments.[9] The school was ranked as the 47th best high school in Michigan for 2021 by U.S. News & World Report.[10] Advanced Placement classes are used by 32% of the students. Students also have the option to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.[11][12]

Athletics edit

Dow High School fields teams for cross country, football, soccer, golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, hockey, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, softball, track and gymnastics.[13] The school's athletic teams compete in the Saginaw Valley League, MHSAA.

Hockey edit

The Dow High School Hockey team captured the school's first hockey state championship on Saturday, March 12, 2022, defeating Orchard Lake St. Mary's in the finals by a score of 2–0.[14]

Tennis edit

The Dow High School Tennis team won their 7th tennis state championship on Saturday, October 15, 2022, besting the field of 20 teams and finishing with 32 points.[15] The team was coached by Terry Schwartzkopf, the recipient of the 2017-18 NFHS National Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.[16]

Activities edit

The school offers more than 55 co-curricular clubs and activities open to students depending on level of interest, including student government, debate, quiz bowl, community service, language clubs. Music choices include band, marching band, orchestra, choir, jazz ensembles, chamber music groups, and solo. Drama activities include all facets of a theatre production. Art starts with beginning art, intermediate art, advanced 2D design, advanced 3D design, commercial art and IB/AP Visual Art.[17]

Approximately 80% of the student body is involved in co-curricular activities.[9]

Demographics edit

Student population for 2021–22 was 1,243 with 84% White, 7% Asian, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American and 3% Other.
Males comprise 49.9%; females 50.1%.
Student/Teacher ratio was 20.79:1
Enrollment by grade was balanced: 9th/338 10th/321 11th/283 12th/301
Free or reduced-cost lunch was available to 20.5% of the students.[1]

The 2016 school improvement plan states that Dow Chemical Company is the major area employer and has been downsizing since 2012, resulting in a decrease of 160 students. The merger of Dow Corning and DuPont is expected to exacerbate the situation. The number of suspensions and total students suspended was halved from the 2011–12 school year (156/89) to the 2015–16 school year (65/45).[9]

Notable alumni edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "HH Dow High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "3901 N Saginaw Rd". BSAOnline.com. City of Midland, Michigan. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  3. ^ "DOW, MIDLAND BATTLE IN HISTORIC RIVALRY FOR PLAYOFF SPOT". ESPN1009 Radio. October 18, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  4. ^ Kelly, Fred (October 21, 2021). "City championship by the numbers". Midland Daily News. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  5. ^ a b [1] Dow High School website, Student Handbook
  6. ^ US News & World Report: Nov 30, 2007-Gold & Silver: Top Performing Schools By State
  7. ^ a b "MI School Data Annual Education Report". MI School Data. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Dow High School website: About Herbert Henry Dow High School
  9. ^ a b c "School Improvement Plan HH Dow High School" (PDF). dhs.midlandps.org. Midland Public Schools. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "Overview of H.H. Dow High School". US News.com. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "International Baccalaureate". Dow High School/Midland Public Schools. Midland Public Schools. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "H.H. Dow High SchoSol". IOB.org. International Baccalaurate Organization. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Go Chargers!". DowChargers.com. HH Dow High School. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  14. ^ News, Fred Kelly, Midland Daily (March 13, 2022). "Kelly: Dow's first-ever hockey state championship a moment to remember". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 15, 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ News, Fred Kelly, Midland Daily (October 15, 2022). "State champs!: Chargers claim title in dramatic final matches". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 15, 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Terry Schwartzkopf: National Boys Tennis Coach of the Year (2017-18)". www.nfhs.org. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "MPS Curriculum". dhs.midlandps.org. Midland Public Schools. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  18. ^ The Charger (yearbook). Dawson Publishing. 1970–1971. p. 89.
  19. ^ The Charger (yearbook). Dawson Publishing. 1970–1971. p. 95.
  20. ^ "A Tribute to Joseph P. Overton". SPN.org. State Policy Network. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  21. ^ The Charger (yearbook). Dawson Publishing. 1970–1971. p. 111.
  22. ^ The Charger (yearbook). Dawson Publishing. 1970–1971. p. 139.

External links edit