Welcome to Emerald High School

We serve approximately 935 students in grades 9 through 12.  We are one of two high schools in Greenwood School District 50.

The mission of Emerald High School is to develop in all students the skills, the knowledge, and the desire to become responsive, productive citizens and life-long learners.

Emerald has a history that dates back to the 1970’s but was a junior high school located in the old Greenwood High School building.  The current building was built in 1982 as a junior high school serving grades 7 through 9.  However, this changed in the 1990’s when Greenwood School District 50 decided to make some changes and move to the middle school concept and to establish Emerald as a second high school.

The beginning of the 1994-95 school year, saw the opening of Emerald High School serving grades 9 through 12.  During 1997, construction began on a new math, science and business wing.  The media center was remodeled and expanded to handle more research materials and materials to support the curriculum.  A TV Production studio was added in the media center where students produce the daily news on the school’s Emerald News Network.  Also during this time, the cafeteria and administrative offices were expanded.

The Emerald High School faculty is comprised of competent professionals with 57 percent of the faculty having advanced degrees in education or in content areas.  Several teachers are Nationally Board Certified.  The faculty is racially diverse and all age groups are represented.

Four units of Math are required for graduation.  Three paths are offered – tech prep, college prep and advanced math..  Tech prep courses consist of applied algebra, applied geometry, probability and statistics. Courses in college prep consist of courses in algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and probability and statistics. There are advanced math courses in algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry and statistics.

Science classes at Emerald range from biology to physics.  Students can select courses in tech prep, college prep, and honors.  Tech prep courses include applied physical science, applied biology 1 & 2, anatomy & disease, and chemistry for the technologies. College prep courses include physical science, biology 1 & 2, chemistry 1 & 2, and physics.  Honors courses offered include physical science, biology 1 & 2, chemistry 1 & 2, and physics.  Additional sciences courses offered include genetics, zoology, anatomy & physiology.

Social Studies courses offered at Emerald include world geography, world history, U.S. history, economics and government, African-American history, military history, early America, psychology, sociology, and careers in teaching.  Four units of English / language arts are required for graduation.  Principles of grammar, instruction in composition, vocabulary study and the study of literature are some of the skills covered in English courses. 
Three paths are offered – tech prep, college prep, and advanced courses.  Tech prep courses consist of English 1, English 2, and communications for the workplace 3 & 4.  College prep courses include English 1, English 2, English 3, and English 4. Advanced courses are English 1, 2 & 3 honors, English 4, AP English and English 101 & 102. 

Students in Art Classes at Emerald study art basics with the introduction to art – drawing, painting, and various mediums.  In 3-D art students work with clay, paper Mache and various mediums.  In 2-D, students work on graphic design projects. In the advanced art courses, students work on more student driven projects aimed at enhancing portfolios.  Many Emerald art students participate in art contests and have been very successful.   The National Art Honor Society is open to any student 10th grade and above who have an interest in art.

A variety of Drama classes are available to Emerald students.  Drama I is an introductory class which explores such areas as pantomime, improvisation, acting, make-up, lighting and costumes.  Students in Drama I learn to perform through monologs and duet scenes.  Drama is a hands-on type of class.  Advanced students continue in Drama II, II and IV.  These classes expand on the skills developed in Drama I as well as including information on acting before the camera and play production.  

Students in the TV Production classes produce the daily morning and afternoon news programs on ENN, the Emerald News Network. Students write the news and operate equipment such as cameras, video and audio mixers.  The class also produces other programs during the year.  When live or taped programs are not being broadcast, a news power point bulletin board of announcements provides information to students and EHS staff.

Students in chorus classes at Emerald can take classes such as Chorus I / beginning Chorus which is designed for students with no choral experience – students learn the requirements for good choral singing and musicianship.  In the Advanced Choruses, students learn music from different periods as well as music theory.  The Show Choir is an auditioned group that participates in many extracurricular events.

Students at Emerald can choose to learn a Foreign Language.  Spanish 1, 2 and 3 courses are available to take and Spanish honors and AP classes are offered.  Students can also take French 1, 2, and 3 courses and French honors and AP classes.

The “Voyager” is Emerald’s Yearbook.  Students can take the yearbook class and learn the skills needed to produce the school yearbook.

The Driver Education course enables students the opportunity to learn traffic laws, the operation of a car and vehicle safety.  Students also get behind the wheel instruction by actually driving a car.

The Sports Medicine courses are designed for students who are interested in careers in medicine, physical therapy, athletic training and physical education.

In the Physical Education courses, students learn personal wellness, and health and physical fitness.  Students also participate in individual and team sports.

The Band provides a lot of school spirit at football games and at pep rallies.  The marching band and color guard also perform at marching contests.  The symphonic band performs concerts and is involved in competitions.  

Emerald’s Junior ROTC program was established in 1995.  The mission of the Viking Air Corps is to educate and train students to be successful and productive adults upon graduation from Emerald High School.  The instructors strive to instill in each cadet a sense of patriotism and service to country and promote personal responsibility. They also focus on building teamwork and providing instruction in basic military skills. The Viking Air Corps has received many awards and honors over the years including an excellent rating during its annual unit inspection.  The drill team has earned first place in drill competitions and the color guard has placed several times in competition.
Several Emerald Air Force Junior ROTC cadets have earned scholarships to attend four year colleges including appointments to the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. The unit participates in many civic activities throughout the school year.  Some of these community service projects include helping with food drives, assisting the local Salvation Army, taking part in the Adopt a Highway program and taking part in other activities.

Students at Emerald can take courses that are offered at the Frank Russell Career Center.  Some of these courses include carpentry, electricity, health science, computer programming and cosmetology.

Guidance counselors at Emerald High School meet with students and help them in many ways.  Counselors conference with students and parents to help them make appropriate high school and occupational course selections for each school year. They also guide students who may have course work problems and who may need schedule adjustments. Guidance counselors administer and interpret standardized tests for students and parents in order to provide a more complete picture of the students’ aptitudes, interests, and post high school potential.  Planning for the future is important and the EHS guidance counselors help students develop individual graduation plans to reach their goals for the future. Counselors assist students in completing appropriate college, university and scholarship applications and assist them in exploring career options.  Guidance counselors also liaison and network with community, state and federal agencies and organizations who provide services and information to assist EHS students with careers and continuing education programs such as colleges and universities.

The Media Center is open for student use from 8:00-4:00 each Monday through Friday. Students may check out up to 7 books for research purposes or pleasure reading and the staff is available to assist in finding information that may be needed. Eighteen computers are set up for internet access and research and students are welcome to use these after internet permission forms from their parent or guardian have been signed. Many teachers bring their classes to the media center for research or to check out one of the 16,000 volumes that may be of interest to the students.

The Ninth grade academy is a school within a school.  A certain section of Emerald High School contains classes in English, math, science and social studies that are only for ninth grade students. It is the mission of the Ninth Grade Academy to assist the incoming freshmen and to help them make a smooth transition into high school, and meet the rigorous high school standards. The Ninth grade academy staff work together to teach the curriculum, and to address more personally, the needs of the students.

The School Nurse at Emerald performs a variety of tasks and is on-hand to answer health questions, dispense medicine, and to act as a liason with health agencies as needed.

Greenwood School District 50 provides bus Transportation to students both to and from school.  Some Emerald students meet certain criteria and drive to school.

Lunch is often one of the most popular times of the school day.  Well balanced and nutritious meals are served. Lunch menus are planned in advance and given out to students.  Breakfast is also served to students.

Students use the computer labs to enhance their computer skills and to do research and work on various projects.

The Parent Teacher Student Organization at Emerald is active and very supportive of faculty and student activities. The PTSO provides financial support through fundraising events and seeks to make Emerald the best school that it can be.

The athletic booster club also provides financial support and assists in purchasing equipment and other items that will help to make our students better athletes.

Emerald High School athletic teams have enjoyed success. The banners in the gym point out that Emerald has succeeded in athletics. Large poster pictures of state championship teams line the walls in the hallway outside the gymnasium and trophies are in the trophy case in the school’s front entrance area.   Since 1994, Emerald has won 14 state championships in sports such as football, boys cross country, golf, boys soccer, boys and girls tennis, and girls track.

Emerald is a 2A division school and has won 65 Region championships in sports since 1994.  The Fall sports include varsity and junior varsity football, varsity and junior varsity volleyball, girls tennis, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls cross country. There is also football cheerleading and dance team.

Winter sports include boys varsity and junior varsity basketball, girls varsity and junior varsity basketball, wrestling, and basketball cheerleading, and also dance team.  Spring sports include varsity and junior varsity baseball, varsity and junior varsity softball, boys varsity and junior varsity soccer, girls varsity and junior varsity soccer, boys tennis, golf and, track and field.

There are many activities for students to be involved in.  Emerald High School has many clubs, organizations and extra curricular activities for students to be involved in such as . . . . Beta Club, National Honor Society, Student Government Association, National Art Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Foreign Language Club, Afrahmis Club, Step Team.

At Emerald High School, students receive a quality education from a caring faculty and have the opportunity to be involved in many school activities, enabling them to develop lasting friendships and develop skills and gain knowledge that will prepare them for the future.