Crisfield High School
Encyclopedia
Crisfield Academy and High School (commonly abbreviated to CAHS), also once known as simply Crisfield High School (CHS), is a public high school
in the city of Crisfield
in Somerset County
, Maryland
, United States
. It is located in the Somerset County Public Schools
district and handles five grades: 8th and 9th grade are handled in an "academy" section of the school, while grades 10 through 12 are handled as high school. The school is on North Somerset Avenue, between the intersections of Potomac Street and Mercury Lane, and is close to Maryland Route 413
. It has the distinction of being the southernmost high school in the state of Maryland.
Crisfield High School was fabricated in 1908 as the first public school in lower Somerset County, succeeding the old Crisfield Academy. It has moved numerous times since then, going through expansions, several arsons, and desegregation of schools through its lifetime. For the past fifty years, the county school system has been attempting to consolidate schools, but this has been largely resisted, even though the enrollment for the school has been steadily decreasing over the years.
The school has sports teams for basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer. Its high school band, which participates in concerts and parades, is affectionately known as the Pride of Somerset. Also, in the 2003-2004 school year, an AJROTC was added to the school's various extracurricular activities.
population of Crisfield. This building was closed in 1926 when a new, larger building was constructed, on Somerset Avenue. A school had also been built for the African-American population shortly before World War II
, named Crisfield Colored High School, which succeeded limited facilities for those students whom beforehand were only equipped for teaching up to sixth grade. This building was located on Collins Street, near the current site of Family Dollar. Eventually, this building would be succeeded by Woodson High School, on South Somerset Avenue.
A third high school building opened in 1953 at the site of the current high school, with two high school buildings operating in Crisfield on Somerset Avenue at this time. By the 1969-1970 school year, desegregation of high school
had taken place, and Woodson High School had been renovated into the area middle school as the high school students were moved to CHS. In 1972, the high school building built in 1926 was destroyed in an arson fire. After the fire, a new building was constructed on the property of the 1953 building. This is the building currently located at 210 North Somerset Avenue and in current operation, though it has gone through expansions and renovations since then.
The Somerset County Public School System has been attempting since the 1960s to consolidate the high schools, as the dwindling population of Somerset County has caused school enrollment to shrink as well. The schools have largely resisted this, though the middle school was closed at the end of the 2003-2004 school year, and after an extensive renovation reopened for the 2004-2005 school year as Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in September 2004. Somerset Intermediate School, located in Westover
for 6th and 7th graders of Somerset County, was built during the spring and summer of 2004, and opened for students in September 2004. Crisfield High School's name was changed to Crisfield Academy and High School, and also took on the 8th grade students in lower Somerset County beginning with the 2004-2005 school year.
Crisfield is a fairly small high school. In 2007, the school showed its largest enrollment over the previous 12 years.
CHS also has a high school band, which is affectionately known as the "Pride of Somerset" as it was once the largest organization of any sort in the county; however, this is no longer the case, as even the Washington High School band is larger at present. The school also has an AJROTC, implemented during the 2003-2004 school year.
State Champions
Finalist
Semi-finalists
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in the city of Crisfield
Crisfield, Maryland
Crisfield is a city in Somerset County, Maryland, United States, located on the Tangier Sound, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. The population was 2,723 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in Somerset County
Somerset County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*53.5% White*42.3% Black*0.3% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.5% Other races*3.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located in the Somerset County Public Schools
Somerset County Public Schools (Maryland)
Somerset County Public Schools is a public school system serving the residents of Somerset County, Maryland, United States.-History:The Somerset County schools became desegregated in 1969 after the federal government began to withheld education funds. The first African American School...
district and handles five grades: 8th and 9th grade are handled in an "academy" section of the school, while grades 10 through 12 are handled as high school. The school is on North Somerset Avenue, between the intersections of Potomac Street and Mercury Lane, and is close to Maryland Route 413
Maryland Route 413
Maryland Route 413 is a state highway in Somerset County in the U.S. state of Maryland. The route runs from a dead end at Crisfield's city dock, which is located on the Tangier Sound, northeast to U.S. Route 13 in Westover. It is the main highway leading into Crisfield, and is known as...
. It has the distinction of being the southernmost high school in the state of Maryland.
Crisfield High School was fabricated in 1908 as the first public school in lower Somerset County, succeeding the old Crisfield Academy. It has moved numerous times since then, going through expansions, several arsons, and desegregation of schools through its lifetime. For the past fifty years, the county school system has been attempting to consolidate schools, but this has been largely resisted, even though the enrollment for the school has been steadily decreasing over the years.
The school has sports teams for basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer. Its high school band, which participates in concerts and parades, is affectionately known as the Pride of Somerset. Also, in the 2003-2004 school year, an AJROTC was added to the school's various extracurricular activities.
History
Prior to 1908, there was only one educational facility in Crisfield: the original Crisfield Academy, located on Asbury Avenue near the intersection with Somerset Avenue. In 1908, the very first Crisfield High School was built, succeeding the Academy. This school, however, only served the whiteWhite people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
population of Crisfield. This building was closed in 1926 when a new, larger building was constructed, on Somerset Avenue. A school had also been built for the African-American population shortly before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, named Crisfield Colored High School, which succeeded limited facilities for those students whom beforehand were only equipped for teaching up to sixth grade. This building was located on Collins Street, near the current site of Family Dollar. Eventually, this building would be succeeded by Woodson High School, on South Somerset Avenue.
A third high school building opened in 1953 at the site of the current high school, with two high school buildings operating in Crisfield on Somerset Avenue at this time. By the 1969-1970 school year, desegregation of high school
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
had taken place, and Woodson High School had been renovated into the area middle school as the high school students were moved to CHS. In 1972, the high school building built in 1926 was destroyed in an arson fire. After the fire, a new building was constructed on the property of the 1953 building. This is the building currently located at 210 North Somerset Avenue and in current operation, though it has gone through expansions and renovations since then.
The Somerset County Public School System has been attempting since the 1960s to consolidate the high schools, as the dwindling population of Somerset County has caused school enrollment to shrink as well. The schools have largely resisted this, though the middle school was closed at the end of the 2003-2004 school year, and after an extensive renovation reopened for the 2004-2005 school year as Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in September 2004. Somerset Intermediate School, located in Westover
Westover, Maryland
Westover is an unincorporated community in Somerset County, Maryland, United States. It is located on Maryland Route 413 near its terminus at U.S. Route 13. The small community is home to many important services in Somerset County....
for 6th and 7th graders of Somerset County, was built during the spring and summer of 2004, and opened for students in September 2004. Crisfield High School's name was changed to Crisfield Academy and High School, and also took on the 8th grade students in lower Somerset County beginning with the 2004-2005 school year.
Students
Crisfield's graduation rate has been steadily sinking over the past 12 years. In 2007, the school graduated 63.5% of its seniors, down from a high 86.7% in 2002.Crisfield is a fairly small high school. In 2007, the school showed its largest enrollment over the previous 12 years.
Extracurricular activities
Crisfield Academy and High School hosts several different sports, most noticeably basketball (known as the Crisfield Crabbers), which wins the school most of its sports championships. The school also has a soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey team.CHS also has a high school band, which is affectionately known as the "Pride of Somerset" as it was once the largest organization of any sort in the county; however, this is no longer the case, as even the Washington High School band is larger at present. The school also has an AJROTC, implemented during the 2003-2004 school year.
State Champions
- 2000 - Boys' Basketball
- 1982 - Boys' Basketball
- 1980 - Boys' Basketball
- 1978 - Boys' Basketball
- 1977 - Boys' Soccer
- 1973 - Boys' Basketball
- 1964 - Boys' Basketball
- 1961 - Boys' Basketball
- 1957 - Boys' Basketball
Finalist
- 1969 - Boys' Soccer
- 1962 - Boys' Basketball
- 1956 - Boys' Basketball
Semi-finalists
- 1998 - Boys' Soccer
- 1997 - Boys' Basketball
- 1980 - Boys' Soccer
- 1979 - Boys' Basketball
- 1978 - Boys' Soccer
- 1977 - Boys' Basketball
- 1970 - Boys' Basketball
- 1960 - Boys' Basketball
- 1959 - Boys' Basketball
- 1958 - Boys' Basketball
Notable alumni
- Harry Clifton "Curley" ByrdCurley ByrdHarry Clifton "Curley" Byrd was an American university administrator, educator, athlete, coach, and politician...
- Former President of the University of Maryland, College ParkUniversity of Maryland, College ParkThe University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, graduated in 1905. - Charles A. McClenahanCharles A. McClenahanCharles A. McClenahan , was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 38, which covers Somerset, Wicomico, & Worcester Counties.-Background:...
- former member of the Maryland House of DelegatesMaryland House of DelegatesThe Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...