Sparks High School is a public high school located at 820 15th Street, Sparks, Nevada, United States. It serves about 1150 students as a member of the Washoe County School District. It is ranked in the top-1000 schools based on the number of AP exams.[citation needed] Its mascot is the "Railroaders" and has a distinct train whistle when a game is taking place.
| Sparks High School | |
|---|---|
 Image of the school | |
| Address | |
 | |
820 15th Street , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| School district | Washoe County School District |
| Principal | CJ Waddell |
| Faculty | 59.20 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 912 |
| Enrollment | 1,311 (2022–23)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 22.15[1] |
| Color(s) | Maroon and gold [2] |
| Mascot | Railroaders[2] |
| Yearbook | Streamline |
Athletics
editSparks High School's sports clubs are known as the "Railroaders," a reference to the city of Sparks' beginnings as a small railroad town affiliate to Reno in the late 19th century - early 20th century. The Railroaders have competed in the NIAA 3A North League since 2005 and have shown good athletic performances in different sports.[citation needed] They have won numerous league, regional, and state titles throughout the school's history.[citation needed]
Football
editThe Railroaders football team earned great success and respect throughout northern Nevada and surrounding areas by winning many championships, and undefeated seasons, through the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.[citation needed] Coach Edwin "Tip" Whitehead has been credited for building a football dynasty in the 1940s, which had numerous undefeated seasons and won State championships.[citation needed] The athletic complex at Sparks High is named after the iconic coach. The Railroaders have won the Nevada State Championship 7 times.[citation needed]
Soccer
editOver the past years, Sparks has been renowned for their boys' soccer team, winning a State title in November 2011, defeating the Wolverines of Truckee High School of Truckee, CA by a scored of 1–0 on a lone goal for the 3A State title.[citation needed] Success in soccer has not only happened against the 3A, but also against the 4A, where the soccer Railroaders have proved themselves as one of the best teams in Nevada, and the West Coast.[citation needed] The team has been renowned enough as a soccer power to receive a sponsorship from Nike.[citation needed] In November 2016, Sparks had won a State title defeating the Warriors of Western High School of Las Vegas, NV by a score of 2–0 for the 3A State title.[citation needed] Sparks also won the State title 2016.[citation needed]
Basketball
editBoys' Basketball has also been dominated by the Railroaders . After having fallen short in years before, the Railroader won the Nevada 3A State title in February 2010, knocking off the Buckaroos of Lowry High School of Winnemucca, NV in the championship match-up, at Lawlor Events Center on the campus of the University of Nevada in Reno.[citation needed]
Notable alumni
edit- Alexis Hansen, politician.[3]
- Randy Messenger, former MLB player (Florida Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners)
- Brian Retterer, swimmer Stanford
- Harvey Whittemore, lawyer and businessman.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Sparks High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Sparks High School". Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen". Nevada Legislature. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Powers, Lenita (November 1, 2009). "Whittemore-Peterson Institute and its founders" (PDF). Reno Gazette-Journal. rgj.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2012. Hosted by the Whittemore-Peterson Institute.