Fort Myers Senior High School
Fort Myers Senior High School (also known as "FMHS") is a public school in Fort Myers, Florida. It was opened October 19, 1911, making it one of the oldest schools in the state of Florida, and the oldest in Lee County. It is managed by the Lee County School District. The enrollment as of May 2014 is 1,857 students. The school was integrated in 1969, largely by adding students displaced by the closing of historically black Dunbar High School. Integration was accompanied by much difficulty, including a riot at the school.[2]
| Fort Myers High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
2635 Cortez Blvd Fort Myers, Florida 33901 United States | |
| Coordinates | 26.628149°N 81.877577°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public Secondary School |
| Established | October 19, 1911 |
| School district | Lee County School District |
| Principal | Robert Butz |
| Teaching staff | 96.70 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,944 (2018-19)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 20.10[1] |
| Color(s) | |
| Mascot | Tsunami Sam |
| Nickname | Green Wave |
| Website | fmh |
Many previous principals of Fort Myers High have gone on to hold leading positions in the Lee County School District, including the former Superintendent of Lee County School District, Dr. James Browder, and Director of Student Services, Richard Shafer.
Fort Myers Senior High School offers the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Vocational, Honors and general education classes. Additionally, FMHS is the only school in Southwest Florida with an Academy of Finance program. Another asset of FMHS, which is most notable in some academic circles, FMHS is the only high school in Lee county which caters explicitly to the deaf and blind student populations. In addition to the educational programs, the school has thirty FHSAA athletic teams for both young men and women. FMHS is rich in traditions and has a very active Alumni.
Fort Myers High School is home to several Nationally Board Certified teachers and several past winners of the Golden Apple award, given each year to six of Lee County's finest teachers by the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
Notable alumni
- Connie Mack IV - Florida politician[3]
- Jammi German - former NFL football player.
- Charles Ghigna - poet and children's author known as "Father Goose;" graduated 1964
- Todd Fischer - Former MLB player (California Angels)
- Nick Thompson - Florida politician
- Plies (né Algernod Lanier Washington) - rap musician
- Andre Mcgill
- Pat Putnam - Former MLB player (Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins)
- Elissa Steamer - professional female skateboarder
- Gil Kerlikowske - Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.[4]
- Gary Russell Libby - art historian, curator, and former director of Museum of Arts and Sciences (Daytona Beach)
Lady Wave Basketball
Fort Myers Senior High School's resident woman's basketball team was awarded their third consecutive state title in 2018. The same year point Guard, Destanni Henderson, was acknowledged as one of the most promising student athletes in woman's basketball as well as playing for McDonald's All-American Team.
Tidal Wave
The Tidal Wave student paper was awarded a bronze medal by Columbia University for 2005-06; the paper won a 3rd place state award in 1991.
References
- "FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- Smith, Ashley (17 May 2017). "Lee lagged on integration". Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- United States Congressman Connie Mack profile Archived 2007-02-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Bashi, Mae (February 18, 2011). "US drug czar holds roundtable". Ft. Myers News-Press. Retrieved 19 February 2011.