Avondale High School (Michigan)
Public high school in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Avondale High School is a public high school in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States. It serves grades 9–12 for the Avondale School District.
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| Avondale High School | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
 | |
2800 Waukegan Street , 48326 United States | |
| Coordinates | 42°37′42″N 83°13′54″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
School district | Avondale School District |
| Superintendent | James Schwarz[1] |
Principal | Doug Wilson |
Teaching staff | 52.01 (on an FTE basis)[2] |
| Grades | 9-12[2] |
| Enrollment | 911 (2024-2025)[2] |
Student to teacher ratio | 17.52[2] |
| Colors | Purple and gold[1] |
Athletics conference | Oakland Activities Association[1] |
| Nickname | Yellow Jackets[1] |
| Accreditation | Cognia[3] |
| Website | www |
History
The Auburn Heights School, located at the southwest corner of Waukegan Street and Squirrel Road, housed the first high school in the area as of 1937.[4][note 1] Population growth led to a merger in 1947 with other elementary school districts, creating Avondale School District. A new high school, which included a junior high school, opened in 1951 at 1435 West Auburn Road in Rochester Hills.[5]
The student-run radio station WAHS 89.5 FM was established in 1975.[6]
The school hosted a rally by first lady Betty Ford in 1976.[7]
Facilities
Avondale High School was built in 1970 by the architecture firm Linn Smith, Demiene and Adams, replacing the 1951 building.[8] The additions of the pool and auditorium were made in 1973.[9] The auditorium was considered "the most outstanding such high school facility in the state."[10] The building received major additions and renovations in 1999, when the fieldhouse was built.[11][12]
Academics
Avondale High School has been accredited by Cognia or its predecessors since 1954.[3] U.S. News & World Report ranked Avondale 247th in Michigan and 7,332nd nationally in their 2020 annual survey of public high schools.[14]
Demographics
The demographic breakdown of the 989 students enrolled for 2023–24 was:
- Male - 51.2%
- Female - 48%
- Native American/Alaskan - 0.2%
- Asian - 6.0%
- Black - 35.5%
- Hispanic - 15.5%
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific islanders - 0.3%
- White - 38.4%
- Multiracial - 4.1%
Students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch - 46.7%.[2]
Athletics
Avondale's Yellow Jackets compete in the Oakland Activities Association. The school colors are purple and gold. The following Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) sanctioned sports are offered:[1]
- Baseball (boys)
- Basketball (girls and boys)
- Boys state champion - 2002[15]
- Bowling (girls and boys)
- Competitive cheerleading (girls)
- Cross country (girls and boys)
- Boys state champion - 1972[16]
- Football (boys)
- Golf (girls and boys)
- Gymnastics (girls)
- Ice hockey (boys)
- Lacrosse (girls and boys)
- Skiing (girls and boys)
- Soccer (girls and boys)
- Boys state champion - 2011[17]
- Softball (girls)
- Swim and dive (girls and boys)
- Tennis (girls and boys)
- Track and field (girls and boys)
- Boys state champion - 2012[18]
- Volleyball (girls)
- Wrestling (boys)
Notable alumni
- Greg Hildebrandt and Tim Hildebrandt '54, science fiction artists and co-designers of the original Star Wars poster [19]
- David Holston '04, professional basketball player[20]
- Mike Lewis, '02, former Arena Football League player and 2005 MIAA Defensive MVP.[21]
- John Morton '88, football coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Detroit Lions.[22]
- Elizabeth Reaser '93, actress[23]