J. W. Mitchell High School


J. W. Mitchell High School, is a public high school in New Port Richey, Florida, located next to Seven Springs Middle School. Its current principal is Jessica Schultz. It is one of the largest schools in the Pasco County Schools district.

History

J. W. Mitchell High School opened at the start of the 2000-01 school year, designed to relieve overcrowding at River Ridge and Gulf High Schools. Its first graduating class was in 2002. The school is named for James Mitchell, a rancher, community leader and businessman. His wife Dorothy served on the school board for about 20 years.
The school gained nationwide publicity in 2019 when its science lab classes were the first in the US to use synthetic frogs for dissection, instead of preserved real frogs. The move eliminates student exposure to formaldehyde and overcomes ethical objections raised in recent years to the widespread killing and dissection of the amphibians.

State championships

The Mustangs were the state boys soccer champions for the 2009-10 school year. Mitchell's hockey team was also the state champion for the 2011-12 school year.

Notable alumni