Ramsay High School

Ramsay High School
Address
Map
1800 13th Avenue South

Birmingham, Alabama
35205

United States
Information
School typeMagnet
Established1930 (94 years ago) (1930)
School districtBirmingham City Schools
CEEB code010355
PrincipalCarolyn Russel-Walker
Teaching staff40.00 (FTE)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment660 (2022-23)[1]
Student to teacher ratio16.50[1]
Color(s)Royal blue and white
  
AthleticsAHSAA Class 5A
NicknameRams
Websitewww.bhamcityschools.org/Domain/12

Ramsay High School is a four-year magnet high school in Birmingham, Alabama. It is one of seven high schools in the Birmingham City School System and one of three International Baccalaureate schools in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Originally called Southside High School, it was later renamed in honor of industrialist Erskine Ramsay.[2] School colors are royal blue and white, and the athletic teams are called the Rams. Ramsay competes in AHSAA Class 5A athletics.[3]

History

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Ramsay's campus was designed by the firm of Warren Knight and Davis with William B. Ittner of St Louis, Missouri, as a consulting architect. The design called for multi-story facades facing north and south, wings for a cafeteria and auditorium, and expansive terraces. Only the south-facing portion of the central building was finished.

Circa 1970 it received an influx of black students after Samuel Ullman High School closed.[4]

The school opened on September 19, 1930, and was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1932. The auditorium and athletic facilities were constructed in 1949, and a flat-roofed annex was added onto the main building in 1962.

In 1975, Ramsay High School became a magnet school that served gifted students from throughout the city. It is now an International Baccalaureate school and the only Birmingham city school to focus exclusively on college preparation.

A $21 million renovation was completed in 2009, resulting in a new science wing, competition gym, ROTC program space, counseling office, and cafeteria. The 1962 "flat top" annex was demolished to expand the school's courtyard and parking lot.[2]

Student profile

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Enrollment in grades 9-12 for the 2013–14 school year is 758 students. Approximately 99% of students are African-American and 1% are white. Roughly 61% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch.[5]

Ramsay has a graduation rate of 99%. Approximately 95% of its students meet or exceed proficiency standards in both reading and mathematics. The average ACT score for Ramsay students is 22 and the average SAT composite is 1450.[6]

Academics

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International Baccalaureate Program

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The IB Diploma Programme at Ramsay High School is a challenging and comprehensive two-year curriculum for motivated high school students. Juniors and seniors take six rigorous courses in the following subject groups: English; second language; experimental sciences; the arts; math; and individuals and societies. IB students also engage in three core requirements: an extended essay (4,000 words); theory of knowledge (interdisciplinary course); and creativity, action, service (community service). The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced pre-university program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at university and in life beyond.[7]

Curriculum

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Ramsay students can take one or more of the following Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses:[8]

  • English Language & Composition (AP)
  • English Literature & Composition (AP and IB)
  • Biology (AP and IB)
  • Calculus (AP)
  • Chemistry (AP and IB)
  • French (IB)
  • Mathematics (IB)
  • Music (IB)
  • Photography (AP)
  • Physics (AP)
  • Spanish (IB)
  • Studio Art (AP and IB)
  • Theater (IB)
  • Theory of Knowledge (IB)
  • US Government (AP)
  • US History (AP and IB)

Athletics

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Ramsay competes in AHSAA Class 5A athletics and fields teams in the following sports:[9]

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Indoor Track & Field
  • Outdoor Track & Field
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Lacrosse
  • Wrestling

Ramsay has won a total of 25 state championships in the following sports:

  • Baseball (1948)
  • Boys' basketball (2006, 2010)
  • Girls' basketball (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
  • Boys' cross country (1966)
  • Football (1934, 1947, 2016, 2022, 2023 Class 5A State Runner Up)
  • Girls' tennis (1968, 1969)
  • Boys' outdoor track and field (1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1949, 1951, 1952)
  • Volleyball (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990)

Notable alumni

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Main category: Ramsay High School alumni

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ramsay High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Ramsay High School - Bhamwiki". www.bhamwiki.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  3. ^ "AHSAA School Classification 2016-18".
  4. ^ Jackson, Herald (January 15, 2012). "Recalling a school closing that opened a new world". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  5. ^ "Ramsay High School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  6. ^ "Ramsay High School in Birmingham, AL - Niche". K-12 School Rankings and Reviews at Niche.com. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  7. ^ "Academics / International Baccalaureate Programme". www.bhamcityschools.org. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  8. ^ "Academics / Advanced Placement". www.bhamcityschools.org. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "ATHLETICS / Home". www.bhamcityschools.org. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  10. ^ "Phillip Alford". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  11. ^ "Kordell Jackson". letsgopeay.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  12. ^ "Roy Wood Jr.: From Birmingham stand-up to 'Daily Show' standoutd". October 15, 2015.
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33°29′53″N 86°47′53″W / 33.498°N 86.798°W / 33.498; -86.798

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