Fox Valley Lutheran High School
Fox Valley Lutheran High School | |
---|---|
Location | |
Appleton, Wisconsin USA | |
Information | |
Type | Parochial secondary |
Established | 1953 |
Principal | Steve Granberg |
Faculty | 38 full-time, 8 part-time |
Grades | 9–12 |
Enrollment | 550 |
Color(s) | Maroon & Gray |
Mascot | Rocky the Fox |
Yearbook | The Cross & Crown |
Website | www.fvlhs.org |
Fox Valley Lutheran High School (FVLHS) is a Lutheran high school located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The school is owned and operated by a Federation of 42 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) churches across the Fox River Valley area. It is a member of the FVL Schools system. Steve Granberg has been the principal since the summer of 2014. Since relocating to the Meade Street campus, school enrollment has averaged between 550 and 600 students.
The school colors are maroon and gray and the athletic teams as known as the Foxes. The school mascot is "Rocky the Fox."
History
When the school was founded in 1953, it began classes with only 8 students in a school building rented from the Appleton School District. By the mid-1950s, enrollment had grown dramatically and the school relocated to its own building at 2626 N. Oneida Street. Enrollment continued to grow during the 1960s and 1970s. Enrollment peaked in the late 1970s at 778 students. Several building additions were made over the years. In 2000, FVL's new 63-acre (250,000 m2) campus opened on its current site, 5300 N. Meade Street.
Campus
Features of the campus include...
- Chapel/auditorium with seating for 900
- Five computer labs
- STEM lab
- Media center with writing lab
- Four science lab/lecture rooms
- Woodworking shop
- Family & Consumer Education lab
- Cafeteria/commons
- Weight room &fitness center
- Two gymnasiums
- Lighted football field with all-weather track
- Competition & practice fields for soccer, baseball, and softball
- Eight tennis courts
- Foxtail Meadow Nature Preserve—a 14-acre natural prairie that is home to a variety of native wildlife and plant life.
Curriculum
FVLHS offers educational programs to prepare students for college, ministry, and the work force. On average, ninety percent of FVL graduates pursue post-high school education opportunities. Three foreign languages—Spanish, Latin, and German—are offered for students. College-credit capable courses are offered in English, math, science, psychology, social studies, and economics.
FVL's Guided Studies program is designed to meet the needs of students who find themselves more than a grade level behind their classmates. An "At-Risk" and tutoring program helps students who may be struggling with specific subjects.
FVLHS' STEM Academy was opened in 2011. STEM is aimed at students interested in hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math. Specialized STEM classes are offered in aerospace engineering, biotechncal engineering, and computer science and software engineering. Its VEX Robotics Team has qualified to compete at the World Championships the past two years.
Beginning in 2014-15, FVLHS was accepted into the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP). This state-funded program assisted 18 students to attend the school in its initial year. Students participating in the WPCP program are selected randomly in a lottery overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction from families who met the income guidelines.
International students
Beginning in the 1970s FVL has enrolled international students. The school is licensed to accept international students coming to the United States with I-20 visas. Each year about 50 international students enroll at FVL, which has hosted students from nearly 40 countries from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.
Extracurricular activities
FVL offers students a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities.
In athletics, FVL is a member of the WIAA. In 2015-16 the school will be joining the newly formed NEW conference in 2015-15 because of a recent WIAA-mandated realignment. For past 16 the school has competed successfully in the EVC or Eastern Valley Conference. Boys may compete interscholastically in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, track, cross country, hockey, tennis, and wrestling. Girls sports include cheer and dance teams, golf, tennis, basketball, cross country, track, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
Other extracurricular activities include...
- Art Club
- Chapel Organists
- Choraliers (swing choir)
- The Cross & Crown (yearbook)
- FVL Theatre
- Forensics
- Fox Folk Marionette Troupe
- Jazz Ensemble
- Jesus Cares Ministry Team
- Library Assistants
- Sound & Light Team (SALT)
- Math Club
- National Honor Society
- Outdoor Club
- Peer Leadership Group
- Student Council
- VEX Robotics