Thomas County Central High School
Thomas County Central High School is a high school in Thomasville, Georgia, United States. It is the largest high school in Thomasville and Thomas County, with 1,474 students as of 2015. In 2013, it was rated as the top public school in southwest Georgia according to the Georgia Department of Education College and Career Readiness Index (CCRPI). The school is home to the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets; the 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, and 1997 AAA state champion football teams; and 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, Jr.
| Thomas County Central High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
4686 US Hwy 84 Bypass Thomasville , (Thomas County) , Georgia 31792 United States | |
| Coordinates | 30°52′25″N 83°57′59″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Comprehensive with a focus in Engineering, Computational Sciences and Mathematics |
| Established | 1958 |
| Status | Open |
| School district | Thomas County School District |
| Superintendent | Dr. Lisa Williams |
| Principal | Trista Jones |
| Staff | 25 |
| Faculty | 95 |
| Teaching staff | 94.70 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,440 (2017-18)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 15.2[1] |
| Color(s) | Navy blue and Vegas gold |
| Athletics conference | GHSA Region 1-AAAAA |
| Mascot | Buzz |
| Nickname | Yellow Jackets |
| Rivals | Bainbridge High School Cairo High School Thomasville High School |
| Newspaper | The Swarm |
| Yearbook | VESPA |
| Website | Thomas County Central High School |
Administrators
The principal is Trista Jones, and assistant principals are Lamar Matthews, Beth Adams, Jim Rehberg, Leonard Guyton and Karen Jones. Frank Delaney is the Dean of Students.[2]
Departments
Departments include Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, and the Tech/Career Prep area. Tech/Career Prep includes Agriculture, Broadcasting, Health Occupations, and Business (Computers).
Mathematics Department courses include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math for College Readiness, Math of Finance, Calculus, and Statistics. The department chair is Chrissy Taylor.
Science Department courses include Biology, Earth Sciences, Physics, Robotics, and Chemistry. The department chair is Laura Kornegay.
The Language Arts Department courses include Language, Literature, American Literature, and British Literature. The department chair is Stacey Mitchell.
The Social Studies Department teaches history classes as well as government and economics. The department is chaired by Leigh Barwick.
The Agricultural Department has access to two John Deere tractors, one John Deere "Gator," three "mobile classrooms" (trailers), and numerous implements. Some of the courses offered in the agricultural department are Ag Mech Tech I, Animal Science, Ag Crop Production and Management, General Horticulture, and Forestry.
The Business Department is mainly made up of computer classes housed in computer labs in the PREP Academy. Pathway options include Business and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Design, and Programming.
The Health Occupation Department trains students who have an interest in the medical field, including the CNA-Certified Nursing Assistants program.
The Broadcasting and Video Production Department is headed by Randy Young. Students learn to produce television programs, including operation of the 13x9 foot instant replay screen at the Jackets Nest, being a part of the daily News 4 You program, and being a part of the hour-long Yellow Jacket Tailgate Show on the radio in the fall before broadcasts of TCCHS football.
In the Family and Consumer Sciences Department classes such as Food for Life and Early Childhood Education dominate the curriculum.
The Welding Department offers students the opportunity to learn basic to advanced welding techniques. All students must first complete an Occupational Safety program before entering the welding lab.
The Transportation Department teaches students Maintenance and Light Repair in three different levels of service.
The Fine Arts Department includes band, music, drama, dance, and art classes.
The Physical Education Department handles athletics, personal fitness and health classes. The department chair is Bill Wilhelm.
The Foreign Education Department teaches French, German, Spanish, and Latin classes. Anthony Paulino chairs the department.
Special Education is chaired by Charity Kinneer.
The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, first introduced for the 2020-2021 school year,is led by retired Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Ingram
Library expansion
A new library was opened in mid-January 2009. The facility is a 10,000 square feet structure that is designed in the contemporary style.
Sports
Thomas County Central offers numerous athletics for its students.
Men's athletics include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Wrestling
Women's athletics include:
- Basketball
- Cheerleading (competition and spirit)
- Cross country
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Fast Pitch Softball
- Slow Pitch Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Volleyball
The football team of TCCHS has been ranked numerous times in the #1 position in the GHSA standings. They have competed in the Georgia Dome Semi-Final playoff games several times, most recently in 2002 and 2007. TCCHS has five state championships in football, with the last one coming in 1997. TCCHS has also won eleven region championships. Six alumni have played in the National Football League - [3][4] Joe Burns, Myron Guyton, Jessie Small, Danny Copeland Ray Drew, and Reshard Cliett. Heisman Trophy Award winner Charlie Ward also attended TCCHS.
The girls' tennis team won region in 2007, and was runner-up in 2008. The boys' team was runner-up in region in both 2007 and 2008.
The men's soccer program has been ranked in good form many times. The most recent was in 2008 when they were ranked #4 in state.
The 07-08 boys' basketball team won a school record 23 wins and won the region championship in arguably the best year in the program's history.
In 2014, the Yellow Jacket softball team completed a successful regular season by winning the region championship and advancing to the state championship game. The team, however, lost the game to the state champion Buford High School. In 2015, the team lost in the second round of the state playoffs. They were regions champions in 2016.
In 2019 the baseball team set a new school record in wins with a 28-7 record before losing to the eventual state champions Loganville High in the Elite 8 of the Class 5A playoffs.
In 2016 gymnast Sterlyn Austin won the individual all-around State competition.
Choral/Drama Department
The Choral Department concerts include Thomas County Central High School's own Christmas and spring concerts and concerts with VSU Chorus Day. Every year they go to the Peanut Festival. The 2011 Women's Choir won the festival. The Choral Department is led by Nicole Davis.
The Drama Department, led by Gabrielle Hortman, produces three to four plays a year, including a musical.
Thomas County Central High School bands
The Thomas County Central High School Band is an award-winning marching, concert, and jazz band under the leadership of Michael Thomas and assistant director Paul Johns. They attend every Thomas County football game and take part in every halftime show, as well as playing in the stands. Other events are a yearly Christmas concert, spring concert, fall concert, and Marching Band Jamboree throughout the school year. The band travels to Orlando every other year to compete in Disney's annual Festival Disney, where it has been awarded numerous awards, including overall number ones in 2007, 2014, and 2016. The band comprises a marching band, jazz ensemble, two concert ensembles, a percussion ensemble and a color guard/auxiliary.
References
- "Thomas County Central High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- Administrators
- http://www.ghsfha.org/showgames.php?gTeamID=Thomas+County+Central
- TCCHS Sports