Varina High School

Varina High School is located in eastern Henrico County, Virginia. The principal of the school from 2001 to 2013 was Mrs. Tracie Omohundro. From the fall of 2013 to 2020 the principal was Mrs. Ann Marie Seely. And starting with the 2020-2021 school year the new principal is Mr. Darin Thompson.[2]

Varina High School
Address
Varina High School
Varina High School
7053 Messer Road

Henrico
,
Virginia
23231

United States
Coordinates37°28′24.9″N 77°22′39.9″W
Information
School typePublic, high school
MottoLearn Today Lead Tomorrow
Founded1909
School districtHenrico County Public Schools
SuperintendentDr. Patrick Kinlaw
PrincipalMr. Darin Thompson
Staff100.78 (FTE)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,588 (2017-18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio15.76[1]
LanguageEnglish
Color(s)          Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Athletics conferenceVirginia High School League
4A - Capital District
MascotBlue Devils
RivalHighland Springs High School
Hermitage High School (Virginia)
Henrico High School
Websitehenrico.k12.va.us/hs/varina

In 1909, high school students in Varina attended Varina School, the second oldest consolidated school in Virginia, which is now home to Varina Elementary. Seven years later, in 1916, the high school became accredited under the leadership of principal George F. Baker. In 1920, the high school became the Varina Agricultural High School in a new facility located on the same campus as Varina School. The current Varina High School, located in the Varina District, opened on the Messer Road campus in 1963. It housed grades seven through twelve until John Rolfe Middle School opened in 1979. Presently, Varina High School serves grades nine through twelve from within the largest geographic district in Henrico County. Varina High School gathered to celebrate their sparkling new surroundings – courtesy of a three-year, $30-million renovation project of the facility and grounds on May 5, 2013 and also celebrated 50 years.

Renovations/NJROTC

In 2009, Varina High School began a comprehensive renovation of the school facilities. [3] Varina High School More Info SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY: Varina High School has a faculty and staff of 150 and is one of nine high schools in Henrico county with opportunities at two technical centers. Our 1950 students, grades 9-12, represent a diverse population that is both urban and rural. The campus-style school is located in the eastern corridor of the county and also houses one of the county's ten specialty centers. The Center for Communications is open to students county-wide and provides a college preparatory curriculum concentrating in the mastery of oral, written, and visual communications skills.

Academics

The school year is divided into two semesters. A semester is 18 weeks with two nine-week reporting periods. Seven classes meet on a modified block schedule with 3 classes meeting a week on alternate days for 90 minutes, and one class meeting for all classes for 50 minutes on Mondays,With A 25 Minute Dear On Mondays and a 30-minute study block Tuesday-Friday. The curriculum provides a variety of Classes As Follow Monday 1,2,3,4,5,Dear,6,7 Tuesday/Thursday 1,3,5,Study,7 Wednesday,Friday 2,4,5,Study,6 course offerings which include: • Advanced Placement: English 11, English 12, Calculus, Statistics, Biology, American History, World History, Government, and World Languages, Environmental Science, Psychology, Chemistry, and Physics, Studio Art, Art History • Honors: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages, Art, Chorus, Band • Dual Credit opportunities are available at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, ECPI University, and Virginia Commonwealth University (through the High Tech Academy at Highland Springs Technical Center). • A wide variety of offerings in Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, Technology Education, Marketing, Fine Arts and NJROTC • Twenty-eight block programs at the Technical Centers • Work Study Programs: Co-operative Office Education, Marketing Education, and Cooperative Work Experience Program for Exceptional Education • Special Education:Consultative, Collaborative, Resource, and Self Contained Non-Traditional Programs: GED, CDS (Center for Diversified Studies), Evening School of Excellence At AVR And Highland Springs High, Online Courses, PLC • English as a Second Language (ESL) At Highland Springs HS/Tucker HS • Henrico County Specialty Center: Communications

Grading
  • A, 100 - 89.5, 4 Grade Points
  • B, 89.4 - 79.5, 3 Grade Points
  • C, 79.4 - 69.5, 2 Grade Points
  • D, 69.4 - 64.5, 1 Grade Point
  • F, below 64.5, 0 Grade Points for all Courses
  • I, Incomplete, 0 Grade Points for all Courses
  • WF, Withdrawn Failing, 0 Grade Points for all Courses
  • WP, Withdrawn Passing, 0 Grade Points and Not Counted in Rank

Ranking

Class rank and G.P.A. (Grade Point Average) are determined by the levels of courses taken and the grades earned in those courses. Grades earned in courses completed in middle school that were awarded a high school credit will not be computed as part of the high school cumulative grade-point average. High School courses completed during the summer prior to entering ninth grade will be included in the grade-point average and calculated in the 9th grade year. The initial class ranking is computed at the end of grade 11 by averaging the final averages of grades 9, 10, and 11. The final ranking is computed mid year of the 12th grade and is based on final averages of grades 9, 10, 11 and the first semester averages of grade 12. Students who are earning either a Standard or an Advanced Studies Diploma are included in class rank. Students earning a Modified Standard Diploma or Special Diploma are excluded from class rank. Students earning weighted credit will have 0.17 added to their final G.P.A. for each Honors/AP course taken and passed. See the following formula:

Grade distribution

Class of 2013 436 students ranked:

  • Upper Quintile 4.6495 - 3.1454
  • Second Quintile 3.1277 - 2.5379
  • Third Quintile 2.5349 - 2.0284
  • Fourth Quintile 2.0238 - 1.5957
  • Fifth Quintile 1.5918 - 0.625

Post secondary
  • Four-year College or University 28.1%
  • Two-year College or Community College 37.5%
  • Technical School/Apprenticeship 10.2%
  • Military 7.6%
  • Work/Other 16.6%

NJROTC

Varina High School is home to a Naval JROTC program. The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964 which may be found in Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 102. The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, and taught by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. ("Gray" area reservists and medically retired personnel may also be eligible to instruct in the program; see Instructor Application Process) The NJROTC accredited curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by extra-curricular activities of community service, academic, athletic, drill and orienteering competitions, field meets, flights, visits to naval or other activities, marksmanship sports training, and physical fitness training. Electronic classroom equipment, textbooks, uniforms, educational training aids, travel allowance, and a cost-share of instructors' salaries are provided by the Navy.[4]

50th Year Anniversary

In 2013, Varina High School celebrated 50 years on the Messer Road campus. Varina High School moved to the Messer Road campus in 1963 and has seen many changes. Most recently, the school has received a $30 million renovation. The school celebrated with a re-dedication in May 2013. The slogan for the celebration was "Varina High School – Devilishly Good at 50!" [5] Several events will mark the milestone including alumni recognition at sporting events, a spring beautification project and a campus rededication. A 50th anniversary committee has been planning the events for the past year. Principal Tracie Omohundro is in charge of that committee. "This is our opportunity to really showcase the great things we have going on here," Mrs. Omohundro said. Recognition of alumni began during football season when various generations of former students were called to midfield before games. Business teacher Dwanda Hicks is on the anniversary planning committee and has made buttons for alumni to wear during football games. "Everybody who came out on the football field to welcome the team got a button, so I’m in charge of making the buttons for the people who come support the teams," Mrs. Hicks said. Alumni recognition events at sporting events will continue through the spring. The beautification project scheduled for April will be followed by the rededication on May 5, which is the same day the Messer Road campus was originally dedicated 50 years ago. Mrs. Omohundro is pleased the renovation is wrapping up as the school celebrates its anniversary. "When we’re inviting folks back for our event, we can show people not only can you come reminisce about your school, but look at the nice improvements we’ve made, too," Mrs. Omohundro said. The Student Government Association is planning events to increase student involvement. Senior SGA president Calvin Bartelle said he hopes students appreciate the school's influence on the community. "Varina has made an impact on the community by teaching students the knowledge they need to be successful in the future and by preparing them for tougher events that they may come against in the future," Calvin said. Students in the Center for Communications are also contributing to the celebration by creating posters and documentaries. Senior communications student Dahneja Jackson said she enjoys researching the school. "It’s a way I can look back at Varina and find out what was similar and different," Dahneja said. Graphic design instructor Joey Boehling, who has taught at Varina since 1984, created the 50th anniversary logo. He said the idea popped into his head at a committee meeting. "I like to play with words, and ‘Devilishly Good’ was a nice oxymoron. Also I'm thinking the zero in 50 looks just like the logo that we use for Varina Nation," Mr. Boehling said. There is no budget for anniversary events, but committee members encourage students and staff to donate their time and support. Librarian Virginia Brown is one staff member donating time to research facts about the school’s history. Social studies and government teacher Andrew Givens is on the 50th anniversary planning committee. He is a 1997 graduate of Varina. "I hope to see more involvement with the school and past alumni," Mr. Givens said. Mrs. Omohundro and other members of the committee are managing a Facebook page for the anniversary. She encourages students and community members to get involved. "We want to be able to show we should be proud of our school community, and that’s why this is really important for us," Mrs. Omohundro said.

Notable alumni
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References
  1. "Varina High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. "Center For Communications". Varina High School. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  3. "Varina High School" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20130117201324/http://www.njrotc.navy.mil/
  5. "Varina High School". Retrieved 2012-09-22.
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