Virginia High School Information

1200 Long Crescent Drive

Bristol, VA 24201

276-821-5858 (phone)

276-821-5851 (fax)

Principal: Mr. Martin Ringstaff

Assistant Principals: Ronnie Collins and Brenda Carroll

School Colors: Orange and Black

School Mascot: Bearcats

Enrollment Average: 700

Driving Directions

From I-81: Take Exit 5. If traveling I-81 North, turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Lee Highway. Travel approximately 1.5 miles on Lee Highway until you come to the next traffic light. Turn right at this traffic light onto Valley Drive (west). Travel approximately 1/4 mile and turn left onto Long Crescent Drive. You will see the school on your right. If traveling I-81 South, turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Lee Highway. Go straight through the next two traffic lights. Travel approximately 1.5 miles on Lee Highway until you come to the third traffic light. Turn right at this traffic light onto Valley Drive (west). Travel approximately 1/4 mile and turn left onto Long Crescent Drive. You will see the school on your right.

Graduation Requirements

Standard Diploma

22 Units of Credit

English	4
*Mathematics	3
**Laboratory Science	3
***History/Social Sciences	3
Health and P.E.	2
Fine Arts or Practical Arts	1
Computer Information Systems	1
****Electives	5

Total	22

Students entering ninth grade in 2003-2004 and after must earn the following verified credits:

English	2
Mathematics	1
Laboratory Science	1
History/Social Science	1
*****Student selected tests or alternative verified credits	1

Total	6

*Courses that satisfy this requirement must be at or above the level of Algebra and must include at least two course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra and Geometry. Students taking Geometry A must take a second Geometry course to earn a Geometry credit.

**Courses that satisfy this requirement must include selections from two different science disciplines: Earth Science; Biology; Ecology; Chemistry; and Physics.

***Courses that satisfy this requirement must include Personal Finance, U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and one World History/Geography course. Courses which satisfy the World History/Geography requirements are: World Geography; World History I; and World History II.

****Courses that satisfy this requirement must include two sequential electives.

*****Students may earn verified credits through alternative means.

Advanced Studies Diploma

25 Units of Credit

English	4
*Mathematics	4
**Laboratory Science	4
***History/Social Sciences	4
****Foreign Language	3
Health and P.E.	2
Fine Arts or Practical Arts	1
****Computer Information Systems or IB Information Technology in a Global Society	1
Electives	2

Total	25

Number of credits required to be verified
by passing a Standards of Learning Test

English	2
Mathematics	2
Laboratory Science	2
History/Social Science	2
Student selected test	1

Total	9

*Courses that satisfy this requirement must be at or above the level of Algebra and must include at least three course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. Students taking Geometry A must take a second Geometry course to earn a Geometry credit.

**Courses that satisfy this requirement must include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry; and Physics. Courses from two different science disciplines may combine with the IB science course to satisfy this requirement.

***Courses that satisfy this requirement must include Personal Finance, U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two World History/Geography courses. Courses that satisfy the World History/Geography requirements are: World Geography; World History I; and World History II.

****Students may satisfy this requirement with three years of one language or two years of two languages.

Modified Standard Diploma

(Classes of 2004 and After)

20 Units of Credit

English	4
*Mathematics	3
**Laboratory Science	2
***History/Social Sciences	2
Health and P.E.	2
Fine Arts or Practical Arts	1
****Electives	6

Total	20

*Courses that satisfy this requirement must include content from among applications of algebra, geometry, and personal finance. The courses in application of algebra and geometry should be completed before the student takes personal finance.

**Courses that satisfy this requirement must include selections from two different science disciplines.

***Courses that satisfy this requirement must include Personal Finance, U.S. and Virginia History and U.S. and Virginia Government.

****Courses that satisfy this requirement must include two sequential electives.

In addition to earning the credits described above, students must pass the Grade 8 English and Math Standards of Learning tests to earn a Modified Standard Diploma.

International Baccalaureate Program

Courses to Meet the Standards for the
International Baccalaureate Diploma

Language A1 (English)	IB/Honors English 11 DE/IB English 12
Language B	IB Spanish IV and V or IB French IV and V
Individuals and Society	IB History of the Americas IB Twentieth Century Topics
Experimental Science	IB Biology II
Mathematics	IB Mathematics SL I IB Mathematics SL II
Arts and Electives	IB Information Technology in a Global Society Theory of Knowledge Extended Essay Community, Action, and Service

Pre-IB Courses to Prepare Students for the
International Baccalaureate Courses

Language A1	Honors English 9 Honors English 10
Language B	Spanish I or French I Spanish II or French II Spanish III or French III
Individuals and Societies	AP Government or US Government
Experimental Science	Biology Chemistry I
Mathematics	Geometry Algebra II

Students may choose to pursue a full IB Diploma or successfully complete selected courses and receive IB certificates.

Community and School Profile

The city of Goodson, Virginia, was renamed Bristol in February, 1890. The first public high school was named Central School and opened in 1891 with 75 students. The name was changed to Jefferson School in 1895, and in 1915 a new school was built on Piedmont Avenue and renamed Virginia High School. The school housed grades 5 - 11 and grade 12 was added in 1945. The present Virginia High School was dedicated in 1954 in the Spring Garden section of Bristol housing grades 9 - 12.

The community served by Virginia High School is urban. Traditionally, manufacturing and professional trades have been the largest employers in the city. The closing of several major companies in the past few years has contributed to a decline in available jobs and school enrollment.

While declining in number, the student population remains characteristic in several areas. The majority of Virginia High School grades have attended this school for all four years and most have attended Bristol, Virginia schools since kindergarten.

Virginia High School offers a variety of 24 clubs and 14 sports teams for students to participate in after school hours. Students also take part in Odyssey of the Mind, forensics and drama competition, academic teams, and various competitions sponsored by curriculum related clubs. A number of club and school sponsored programs as well as formal and informal dances provide involvement of students after school hours. The Bristol area has several community-sponsored activities for students such as the Boy's and Girl's Clubs, Theater Bristol, city recreation teams, and volunteer programs at the hospital.

Virginia High School is a comprehensive high school. The Center for Technology is attached to the main building making it possible for the large majority of the students to be able to take two or more vocational classes yearly.

Virginia High School offers various programs for the special needs students. Classes are provided for Trainable Mentally Disable, Educable Mentally Disabled, Emotionally Disturbed, and Learning Disabled students. Honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses are offered for the highly motivated and gifted students. An alternative school and an adult basic education program have been set up to meet the needs of some of our "at risk" students.