Southfield-Lathrup High School was a senior high school in Lathrup Village, Michigan, United States. It was the second oldest of three high schools in the Southfield Public Schools district, the oldest being Southfield High School, and the youngest being University High School Academy.[1]
| Southfield-Lathrup High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
19301 West Twelve Mile Road Southfield , Michigan United States | |
| Coordinates | 42°30′00″N 83°14′06″W / 42.5°N 83.235°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public school |
| Established | 1967 |
| Closed | 2016 |
| School district | Southfield Public Schools |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
| Mascot | The Chargers |
| Yearbook | The Synthesis |
Southfield-Lathrup High School was well known for its extensive and well-supported music program.[2] It was also known locally for its girls' basketball team State Title in 2005.[3]
History, milestones, and awards
editSouthfield-Lathrup High School (SLHS) opened in 1967 to accommodate the growing Southfield and Lathrup Village populations. SLHS opened with the 1967-68 school year, accommodating Freshmen and Sophomores only from Birney Junior High School, one of four junior high schools in Southfield. Adding a Freshman class in each of the following two school years, 1968–69 and 1969–70, it graduated its first Senior class in 1970. Located in Lathrup Village, the high school was part of the Southfield Public School District.
Southfield-Lathrup High School closed at the end of the 2015-16 school year, and its students were divided between Southfield High School and University High School Academy, which moved into Lathrup's campus. Berkley High School, Groves High School, Shrine Catholic High School and Oak Park High School were also expected to receive some Southfield-Lathrup students.
Dress code
editBeginning with the 2005–2006 school year, a dress code was instituted at the high school level, finalizing the process of bringing all of the Southfield Public Schools district under a dress code policy. All members of the board supported the measure and voted aye, except for Trustee Karen Miller. Ms. Miller voted no because she didn't feel that there was enough input from students in the development of the dress code.
Campus
editThe campus consists of the main building, a soccer field, a football field, and various parking lots. Students park in the west parking lot. The building is divided into several distinct zones called "houses".
A, B, C, and D Wing
editFour two-story wings contain most of the school's class rooms. Oddly, the second floors of these wings are not attached to each other. A and B wings are located toward the front of the school, facing Twelve Mile Road. C and D wings are located toward the rear of the building.
A House contains the Charger Cafe, which sells food items and Southfield-Lathrup-related memorabilia.
B House contains most of the science labs and the Medical and Natural Sciences Academy.
C House contains the Career Center and the majority of the math department.
D House contains the counseling office and the weight training rooms.
G House
editG House contains the Arts and Communications Academy, Band Room, Choir Room, Piano Laboratory, Art Studios, Dance Studios, and the auditorium. Southfield-Lathrup's auditorium is equipped with a full sized stage, dressing room, costume room, lighting, and sound equipment. Every year, Lathrup's drama department produces a fall play and a spring musical. The spring musical typically includes Lathrup's dance and music departments.
Extracurricular activities
edit- Newspaper – The Charger Chronicle
- Yearbook – The Synthesis
- Art Club
- Gay-Straight Alliance
- Embrace The Difference
- Lathrup's Lovely Ladies[4]
- Southfield-Lathrup High School Marching Band[5] "Marching Chargers"
- Chess Club
- DECA
- Fashion Club
- Student Congress
- National Honor Society, http://www.southfield.k12.mi.us/education/club/club.php?sectionid=1511
- Scholars Plus
- Graduates "Distinguished Scholars" from the Southfield Public School System
- Spanish Club
- French Club
- Intramural Sports Program
- Anime Club
Curriculum
editAcademy learning
editSouthfield-Lathrup Senior High School is home to two of four Academies serving the Southfield Public Schools district, specifically the Medical and Natural Sciences Academy and the Arts and Communications Academy. Both academies have separate entry requirements from the mainstream curriculum. Most students apply at the end of their tenth grade year and take classes in their eleventh and twelfth grade years. The other two academies are the Engineering & Manufacturing Sciences Academy and the Global Business & Information Technology Academy, are located at Southfield High School
Medical and Natural Sciences Academy
editCourses offered:
- IB Biology
- IB Chemistry
- Health Careers & Health Skills Training
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biotechnology
Arts and Communications Academy
editCourses offered:
- Vocal Music
- Piano
- Creative Writing
- Dance Technique/Dance Company
- Play Production
- Visual Animation Lab
- Acting
- TV Production
- Yearbook
- School Newspaper
- Orchestra
The Louise Ward Memorial Scholarship was established in 2001 for Southfield-Lathrup Students for continued studies in vocal music. The Fund was initiated by alumni of the Southfield Lathrup High School Madrigal Singers in grateful memory of Louise Ward who was, at once, their teacher, mentor, role model, and friend.[6]
The Academy also won the 2000 GRAMMY signature award.[7]
Advanced placement options
editSouthfield-Lathrup High also offered Advanced Placement (AP) courses in several different subjects including:
- United States History
- United States Government & Politics
- Biology
- Calculus
- Physics
- Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- Spanish Language
- English Language and Composition
- English Literature and Composition
In its final years, Southfield-Lathrup High School also offered Advanced Placement Physics, Statistics, European History, Spanish, and French. Though these courses weren't offered, students were encouraged to independently study the subject material and take the test.
Summer reading program
editAll Southfield-Lathrup High students are required to read books from a preselected list over the summer. Honors and AP English students receive more books to read than other students. AP United States History Students are also given summer reading.
Beginning the summer of 2006, all summer reading work was required to be submitted through mydropbox.com, an online plagiarism screening service.
Notable alumni
edit- Willie Beavers, professional football player
- Mike Chappell, c/o 1996, international professional basketball player.
- Daniel Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, founder of Quicken Loans[8]
- Jon Glaser, c/o 1986, actor, comedian, and TV writer/producer.[9]
- Mark Howe, retired NHL defenseman
- Marty Howe, former professional ice hockey player
- Jason Jones, c/o 2004, professional American football player for the Detroit Lions
- Eric Lefkofsky, 1987, internet entrepreneur and co-founder of Groupon.
- Devyn Marble (born 1992), basketball player for Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Steven Pitt (psychiatrist)
- Michael Stone, retired safety for the New England Patriots and New York Giants.[10]
- Joe Tate, politician[11]
References
edit- ^ University High School Academy – The U: Home of the Soaring Eagles!
- ^ Southfield Lathrup Music Boosters
- ^ Hoops competition gets Southfield-Lathrup girls season-ready | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ Lathrup's Lovely Ladies – Lathrup's Lovely Ladies Welcome You!
- ^ Band – Marching Chargers
- ^ Southfield Community Foundation
- ^ City of Southfield – Statistics. cityofsouthfield.com. Archived 2011-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ira Newble = Good Guy [Archive]". realcavsfans.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04.
- ^ Headapohl, Jackie (April 13, 2017). "Happy Camper". The Detroit Jewish News. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ Michael Stone – Official New England Patriots Biography
- ^ "Meet Joe Tate". Joe Tate for Michigan. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
