Danbury High School is a public high school in Danbury, Connecticut, with approximately 3000 students. Despite Danbury's population of just under 81,000, there is only one public high school, along with several small private schools, and one vocational high school in the city. The school is located in a suburban, residential neighborhood atop a hill that overlooks most of the city. Danbury High School is the largest high school in the state. Many of the students come from homes in which English is not the dominant spoken language. Therefore, the school offers a wide variety of ESL programs in many different subject areas. Walking through the halls of the school, it is possible to hear over 50 different languages and associated dialects being spoken by the students. Likewise, many of the students will be the first in their family to go on to college. The school's culture and classes are definitely enriched by the diverse student population and the experiences they bring to their education. Danbury High School also offers a large number of AP courses in a wide variety of curricular areas. For example, in the Social Studies Department, AP courses are offered in Human Geography, Government and Politics, European History, Micro and Macro Economics, Psychology, and U.S. History. Danbury High School is supplemented by a magnet program called the Alternative Center for Excellence. This program provides a Danbury High School diploma but exhibits additional criteria not required by most local institutions. Danbury High School recently was awarded $100,000 after winning the State Farm Insurance "Celebrate My Drive" campaign. The "Celebrate My Drive" campaign encourages teens to make positive choices as they start driving.
History
In 1927, a new high school was built on 181 White Street in Danbury. This building served as the city's main high school, until a rapid increase in Danbury's population compelled a major school construction program. In 1965, a new Danbury High School was dedicated on Clapboard Ridge. This campus is still the current location of the school today. In October 11, 1967 rock bandThe Doors performed live at the school In 2009, the cafeteria workers formed their own union after what is now known as the "Great Cheeseburger Brawl".
Academic Progress and School Improvement
Danbury High School is currently classified by the State of Connecticut Department of Education as a 'review school'. Review Schools are among Connecticut's lowest performing, irrespective of Title I status. All schools with CMT/ CAPT 2012 participation rates less than 95 percent, four-year cohort graduation rates below 60 percent, three-year baseline School Performance Indexes below 64 or identification as Focus Schools were classified as Review Schools. The School Data Team regularly reviews data on attendance, academic achievement, and discipline actions to guide student programming and professional development. Instructional Data Teams meet twice a month to review common assessment data and collaboratively plan lessons. In an effort to increase support for English-Language Learners, new programs are being offered to help students who arrive with little to no formal education. Twenty teachers participated in extensive training in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol in preparation for mainstreaming English Language Learners into content area classes. Danbury High School recently partnered with Project Opening Doors and has seen tremendous increases in Advanced Placement participation and achievement. All Administrators participated in observation professional development. Teachers at the school are offered over 100 hours of professional development per year. Beginning next fall, freshmen students entering Danbury High School will have an opportunity to earn an associate degree simultaneously with their high school diploma. As part of the Early College Opportunity program, 80 to 100 incoming freshmen students will begin their journey toward an associate degree in information technology issued by Naugatuck Valley Community College.
Stadium
Constructed in 2002, Danbury High School has a multi-purpose stadium complex that is able to accommodate close to 4,000 spectators. The field surface is Astroplay brand filled field turf that can be used in all types of weather. It also features a seven-pole Universal Sports Lighting system, an electronic remote controlled scoreboard, and heated concession building with bathrooms. The track is an eight-lane Mondo Limited Super X Surface. In the summer of 2015, the Astroplay surface of the multi-purpose lighted field was replaced with a brand-new more grass-like artificial turf.
Media appearances
Danbury High School has been featured on TruTV's The Principal's Office.
