George S. Middleton High School

Middleton High School is a public high school in Tampa, Florida named in honor of George S. Middleton, an African American businessman and civic leader who moved to Tampa from South Carolina in the late 19th century. Middleton was established for black students in 1934 during the segregation era. The current facility opened in 2002 on North 22nd Street in East Tampa.

Middleton High School
Address
4801 North 22nd Street Tampa , (Hillsborough County) , Florida 33610 United States
Coordinates	27.98985°N 82.43351°W / 27.98985; -82.43351
Information
Type	Public high school
Motto	Where Family Comes First
Opened	1934; 2002 (reopened)
Status	Open
School district	Hillsborough County Public Schools
Superintendent	Jeff Eakins
Principal	Tiatasha Brown
Teaching staff	90.00 (FTE)[1]
Grades	9-12
Age	13 to 19
Enrollment	1,595 (2018–19)[1]
Average class size	~25
Student to teacher ratio	17.72[1]
School colour(s)	Maroon, Gold and White
Team name	Tigers
Website	middleton.mysdhc.org

Middleton's mascot is the Tiger. Its rival school in Hillsborough County is Howard W. Blake High School.

A historical marker recounts the school's history.[2] It was an all-black school for nearly 40 years and remains predominantly black along with its surrounding neighborhood.

It became a junior high school in 1971. It reopened in a new location in 2002 with community support. In 2008, a report recounted the school's struggles to improve academic achievement.[3]

History

Middleton High School was the first high school for African Americans in Hillsborough County when it opened in 1934 on 24th and Chelsea Streets in East Tampa. Booker T. Washington School in Tampa had previously accommodated junior and senior high students.

A 1940 fire destroyed the school and it was rebuilt through the Works Progress Administration (WPA). There was a second fire in 1968.[2]

Middleton closed in 1971 as desegregation was being implemented, becoming Middleton Junior High School, and was renamed A.J. Ferrell Middle School of Technology in 2000. The high school reopened in a new location in 2002 with the support of alumni.[3]

Academic Performance

Graduation rate

In 2012 Middleton's graduation rate was 59% as compared to a statewide rate of 74.5% and a Hillsborough County rate of 72.6%.[4] As of 2017, the school increased its graduation rate to 81% as compared to the state average of 82%.

Florida Department of Education grade

• 2018 - B
• 2017 - C
• 2016 - C
• 2015 - C
• 2014 - C
• 2013 - C
• 2012 - B
• 2011 - D
• 2010 - C
• 2009 - D
• 2008 - D

[4]

FCAT performance

During the 2009 school year, only 25% of students scored "proficient" on the reading section of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, while 53% passed Mathematics and 90% passed Writing. The average among the Hillsborough County School District (SDHC) is 61% for Reading, 68% for Mathematics, and 96% for Writing.

SAT performance

In 2014 Middleton had an average SAT score of 1245

AP performance

Middleton High school puts a strong emphasis on taking AP level classes, especially for students in the magnet program. In 2016, Middleton had an AP course participation rate of 48%, compared to the state average of 23%, with every student enrolled in any of the magnet programs being required to take at least one AP class every year.

Magnet programs

The magnet school programs at Middleton High School are designed to help students enter career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The objective is to give students a balanced and rigorous curriculum leading directly to industry, technical school, or university training. Students take science, mathematics, and technical classes leading to college credit through Advanced Placement, dual-enrollment, and/or articulated agreements. Middleton graduates have computer experience and take elective classes in fine art, performing arts, business, and journalism, in addition to participating in clubs and organizations.[5]

Magnet students at Middleton choose one magnet program for their major, but are encouraged to explore classes in other magnet programs that may be of interest to them. Magnet students may complete more than one magnet program, although they are only required to complete their major. Taking online classes with Florida Virtual School is recommended so that students can complete all their required and elective classes by graduation.[5]

The school offers magnet programs in Biomedicine, Computer Systems Technology, Computer Game Design, and Engineering. Both biomedicine and engineering are Project Lead the Way programs.[5]

Engineering

The engineering program is based on the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) model, a nationally recognized high school pre-engineering curriculum.[6]

PLTW courses in this curriculum include:

9th grade level

• Introduction to Engineering (Honors)
• Drafting 1 (Honors)

10th grade level

• Computer Integrated Manufacturing (Honors)
• Digital Electronics (Honors)

11th grade level

• Principles of Engineering (Honors)
• Civil Engineering/Architecture (Honors) or Aerospace Engineering (Honors)

12th grade level

• Engineering Design & Development (Senior capstone project; Honors)
• Dual enrollment engineering class

After completing Middleton's Engineering Magnet Pathway, students are well-prepared for the rigors of engineering courses at the university level.

Middleton is a certified PLTW high school, which means students can earn college credit for their engineering classes at PLTW engineering universities, such as Purdue and Duke.

Game design

The Academy of Computer Game Design prepares students for video game design and animation. Students practice skills in programming, graphic design, management, and 3D modeling. Creating games includes the building and management of complex databases.

Students receive hands-on experience in planning and building their own original games. Games can be designed to play on multiple platforms such as personal computer, cellphone, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360.

Students are educated with the foundational knowledge to pursue further training and a career in game design and animation. They may earn industry certifications, such as MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist), Adobe Certified Associate-Photoshop, Adobe Certified Associate-Flash, and Autodesk Certification (3D Studio Max or Maya). They learn complex technology skills that can be transferred to other careers, such as database development and management for business systems.[7]

Curriculum includes:

9th grade level

• Game Design Foundations
• Computer Fundamentals

10th grade level

• Game Design composition
• AP Computer Science Principles

11th grade level

• Game Design 3D Animation
• Game Design Programming (C#)

12th grade level

• Game Design Advanced Applications
• AP Computer Science A (Java)

Computer systems information technology

The Cisco Networking Academy is a program that teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure computers and computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities. The Networking Academy provides online courses, interactive tools, and hands-on learning activities to help prepare students for careers in virtually every type of industry.

Students begin the program by studying the hardware and software of personal computers in preparation for the nationally recognized A+ Certification Exam. Hands-on labs and virtual desktop learning tools help students develop critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills. The Cisco CCNA curriculum provides an integrated and comprehensive coverage of networking topics, from fundamentals to advanced applications and services, while also providing opportunities for hands-on practical experience and soft-skills development. Students will be prepared for the CCNA and CCENT exams. Upon completion of the Cisco Academy curriculum, the student moves into the Security+ and Cyber Security class to finish the program.

This program allows students to develop the skills necessary to enter all fields of computer programming and computer engineering at the post-secondary level.[7]

2013/2014 SkillsUSA State champions. 2013/2014 Future Business Leaders of America State and National Champions are presently in this class.

Curriculum includes:

9th grade level

• CSIT Essentials (Honors)
• CSIT Foundations (Honors)

10th grade level

• CSIT Network Systems Configuration (Honors)
• Digital Electronics (Honors)(PLTW)

11th grade level

• CSIT Network Systems Design & Administration (Honors)
• CSIT Cyber Security Essentials (Honors)

12th grade level

• CSIT Cyber Security-Physical (Honors)
• AP Computer Science A

Biomedical engineering

Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms andbioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts; work in biotechnology includes genetic engineering as well as cell culture and tissue culture technologies. Students in this magnet program take a total of eight courses, four courses in Biotechnology and four in the Biomedical Sciences PLTW Program. PTLW classes contain some science but the courses also involve marketing. In fact, science is emphasized only in a marketing perspective rather than a medical perspective.[8]

Curriculum includes:

9th grade level

• Principles of Biomedical Sciences (Honors)
• Computer Fundamentals

10th grade level

• Human Body Systems (Honors)
• Genetics (Honors)

11th grade level

• Medical Interventions (Honors)
• Microbiology (Honors)

12th grade level

• Biomedical Innovation (Honors)
• Internship (Research Facility)

Extracurricular Activities

Robotics

Established in 2004, Middleton Robotic is one of the largest extracurricular activities at Middleton Magnet High School. Although based at Middleton, the program also includes members from 3 other high schools and home school students. Middleton robotics fields 5 competitive robotics teams in 3 separate programs: FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Technical Challenge (FTC), and VEX Robotics Competition.

Middleton's five robotics teams: FRC Team 1369 Minotaur, FTC Team 4997 Masquerade, FTC Team 3846 Maelstrom, VEX Team 6260A Mercury, and VEX Team 6260X Minerva. FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) and FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) are part of an organisation called FIRST Robotics,[9] which includes teams from all over the world, and offers over $80 million in scholarships every year. Middleton Robotics gives students an opportunity to learn many different real-world skills related to STEM such as: Designing, 3D Modeling, Programming, Electrical systems, Pneumatic systems, machining, building, testing, and much more. School teams 4997 and 3846 won the Florida state championships in 2012, and team 4997 won the World Championship in 2012.[10]

Mu Alpha Theta

Middleton's Mu Alpha Theta team was one of the highest-ranked in the nation. In 2007, their team placed ninth in the FAMAT state convention, and seventh in the Mu Alpha Theta National Convention.

FLBA (Future Business Leaders of America)

Middleton FBLA is the largest and most premier club on campus. Having won over 400 awards in its 8-year life span, Middleton FBLA has quickly made it to the #1 chapter in all of Florida and one of the top chapters in the nation in regards to national winners. Middleton FBLA provides students over 100 service hours over the course of 4 years as well. With more than 70 competitions, FBLA caters to all. In the 2017-2018 school year, 130 students won at the district level, 50 won at the state level and 15 at the national level.

ACE Mentors (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering)

This club meets once a week to teach students more about architecture and civil engineering. Students are put into groups at the beginning of the school year and given a project that their group will complete step by step throughout the school year. The project changes every year and is always based on a real life construction project. At the end of the year, groups present their projects in front of a panel of real civil engineers and architects and can win prizes including scholarships.[11]

Athletics

In 1957, Middleton won the Florida state championship in basketball[12] in the FIAA, which was the athletic organization for schools with black students. In 1964, they won it again.[13]

Sports available at Middleton include Baseball, Basketball, Cheer leading, Cross Country, Football, Flag Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, and Wrestling.[14]

Rivalry

The school's rival high school is Howard W. Blake High School (Middleton and Blake were the two African-American high schools during segregation). The yearly football game, held at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, is highly anticipated.[15]

Notable alumni

• Lloyd Mumphord (1965), NFL defensive back and teo-time Super Bowl champion with Dolphins
• Josh Johnson (baseball coach), minor league baseball player and manager of the Down East Wood Ducks

Demographic information

Total Enrollment	1,637 students
Asian	11.91%
Black	48.26%
Hispanic	18.45%
Indian	0.24%
Multi	4.40%
White	16.74%

[16]

• 96% of students at Middleton are proficient in English.
• 73% of students come from low income households
• 56% of the students at Middleton are male, while 44% are female.

References

1. "Middleton High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
2. "Middleton Senior High School". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
3. Staff (2009-08-29). "Middleton High Struggles To Get School Spirit Back". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
4. O'Connor, John (2012-12-21). "2011-2012 Florida High School Grades". State Impact, National Public Radio. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
5. "Middleton Magnet Programs". Middleton Senior High School. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
6. "Project Lead The Way". Retrieved 2013-10-13.
7. "Computer Game Design Magnet". Retrieved 2018-09-20.
8. "Biomedical-Biotechnology Magnet". Retrieved 2018-09-20.
9. "Home". FIRST. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
10. "Club History". Middleton Robotics. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
11. "ACE Mentor Program of America :: Home". acementor.org. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
12. "Middleton High Wins Florida Prep Cage Title". 27 March 1957. ProQuest 491108250.
13. Keith, Niebuhr (24 April 2001). "Lost but not forgotten The athletic history of pre-integration black schools is missing from state record books". sptimes.com. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
14. "Athletics Home Page". Retrieved 2018-09-20.
15. Staff Writers (2006-09-27). "Sports: Blake vs. Middleton: It's more than just a game". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
16. "DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 2015-2016 (by %)". Hillsborough County Public Schools. Retrieved 14 October 2016.