South Junior High
South Junior High was the city’s third junior high, and was built during the late ’60s during a rapid growth period in what is now southern Lawrence.
The building, which opened in 1968, was constructed on land adjacent to Haskell Indian Nations University at 2734 Louisiana St.
The school maintains a strong relationship with Haskell. The Cougar is the South mascot.
South’s unique circular, windowless design has sparked controversy over the years.
It was constructed when open classrooms were the rage in education, with some classrooms not having doors.
The school board has decided it would be best to replace the existing building with a new facility. Voters rejected a $59 million school bond issue in April 2003, but the school board is considering another bond issue for 2005.
Although the building is old, the school is not without charm.
Murals painted on interior walls by students during the past 20 years give it a unique appeal and help visitors find their way around the circular halls.
Enrollment
South Junior High2734 LouisianaLawrence, KS 66046-4699Phone number: 785-832-5450School Web site:schools.usd497.org/sjhs
South is the second largest of Lawrence’s three junior highs.
In fall 2004, it had an enrollment of 647 students, with the breakdown as follows: seventh, 210 students; eighth, 199; and ninth, 238 students.
South draws its students from a boundary area that includes most of southern Lawrence south of 23rd Street and east of Atchison Avenue.
The Kansas State Board of Education Report Card includes the socioeconomic mix of all schools.
It reports that 28.81 percent of South’s students are economically disadvantaged.
Here is the school’s ethnicity breakdown: white, 80.18 percent; African American, 9.76 percent; Hispanic, 2.9 percent; other, 7.16 percent.
Reading scores
According to the state’s latest report card for South, eighth-grade students showed an increase in reading assessments over the previous year’s students.
South students scored lower than their peers in the district and in the state on the eighth-grade reading assessments.
The percentage of the school’s eighth-graders who were “proficient,” “advanced,” or “exemplary” in reading increased from 70.7 percent to 71.2 percent on the latest state test.
The Lawrence district’s overall reading score for eighth-graders showed that 73.8 percent were either proficent, advanced or exemplary in reading. The overall state score was 75.1 percent for those combined categories.
Math scores
The State Report Card also shows South’s seventh-graders scored lower on the state math assessments than their peers at the district, but higher than other seventh graders at the state levels.
South’s seventh-graders tested in math showed an increase from 55.3 percent in 2003 to 66.4 percent in 2004 for the percent of students scoring at either “proficient,” “advanced” or “exemplary levels.”
That compared with 72.1 percent for the entire district and 65.4 percent for the state.
Sports
The city’s four junior highs offer the following sports: boys basketball, girls basketball, cheerleading, football, boys tennis, girls tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling.
High school sports offered at Lawrence’s two high schools are as follows: bowling (new this year), boys baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, girls golf, boys golf, girls gymnastics, boys soccer, girls soccer, girls softball, boys swimming, girls swimming, boys tennis, girls tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling.
Staffing
The school’s staff includes a total of 57 teachers and support staff.
In 2000, Victoria Beals, who works with students who have disabilities, won the Bob’s Award for teaching excellence, a special award from the Lawrence Schools Foundation.
Will Fernandez replaced Russell Blackbird, who retired this year, as principal of South in 2005. Before becoming principal, Fernandez served as principal at Dodge City Middle School.
All the junior highs begin classes at 8:08 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.
To arrange a visit to South, call 785-832-5450.