J. P. Taravella High School

J. P. Taravella High School
Address
10600 Riverside Drive
Coral Springs, Florida 33071
Information
School type High School
Motto J.P.T. Where the "P" stands for Pride!
Founded 1981
School board Broward County Public Schools
Principal Shawn Cerra
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 3060 (2012[1])
Area Broward County
Color(s) Silver and Blue          
Mascot The Trojan
Team name Trojans
Website http://taravella.browardschools.com/

J. P. Taravella High School is a secondary school located in Coral Springs, Florida which teaches grades 9–12. The school is a part of the Broward County Public Schools district.

Taravella is ranked within the top 1% of all public high schools in the United States. It was also the recipient of the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award in 1987,[2] and has an FCAT school grade of "A" for the 2011–2012 academic year.[3]

In 2007, Taravella won the Grand Championship and also swept all awards at the Vero Beach Crown Jewel Marching competition.

In 2008, the J.P. Taravella Marching Band was selected by the Presidential Inaugural Committee as one of two bands (the other being Florida A&M) to represent Florida in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Taravella has a very active vocal music department which has received many accolades both within Broward County and throughout the state of Florida. The vocal music department is currently under the direction of Mrs. Katherine La Rosa.

The school was renowned for its competitive Speech and Debate team, coached by Beth Goldman, whose members garnered numerous accolades—both locally and nationally. At the 2009 NFL National Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, all three Taravella national qualifiers finished in the top six. Captain John Mern finished sixth in the nation in United States Extemporaneous Speaking, and Debate Co-Captains Mickael Silangil and Brian Zakarin finished fourth in the nation in Public Forum Debate. Goldman has now left and has been replaced by Jon Price.

History

The school was named after Joseph Phillip Taravella (1919–1978), who was the president and chairman of Coral Ridge Properties Incorporated, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and a founder of the City of Coral Springs.

Demographics

As of 2012, the total student enrollment was 3060. The ethnic makeup of the school was 40% White, 23.7% Black, 30% Hispanic, 3.69% Asian or Pacific Islander, 2.09% Multiracial, and .29% Native American or Native Alaskan.[1]

Notable alumni

2015 Incidents

During the 2014-15 school year two small fires, two fights and the arrest of a student at J.P. Taravella High School prompted major concern. Through the rest of the week there was a heavy police presence at the school. The Broward School District said more officers than usual were at the school Wednesday "as an extra precaution and deterrent to potential disruptions," spokeswoman Nadine Drew said. "The school operated its normal schedule of classes and activities today, without incident."[5]

References

External links

Coordinates: 26°13′56″N 80°16′05″W / 26.2322893°N 80.2681383°W / 26.2322893; -80.2681383

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