Robert E. Lee High School (Baytown, Texas)

Robert E. Lee High School
Address
1809 Market
Baytown, Texas 77520
United States
Coordinates 29°43′52″N 94°59′11″W / 29.73111°N 94.98639°W / 29.73111; -94.98639Coordinates: 29°43′52″N 94°59′11″W / 29.73111°N 94.98639°W / 29.73111; -94.98639
Information
Type Public school(government funded)Public
Established 1928
School district Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District
Principal Joseph C. Farnsworth
Grades 9-12
Color(s)           Maroon & White
Athletics conference University Interscholastic League/UIL 5A
Mascot Gander
Accreditation Texas Education Agency/TEA
Website Lee High School

Robert E. Lee High School (often referred to as Baytown Lee) is a 5A public high school in Baytown, Texas, that serves grades 9 through 12. Lee is one of four high schools in the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District, which serves all of Baytown and Highlands, Texas. The other three are Ross S. Sterling High School, Goose Creek Memorial High School, and IMPACT Early College High School. As of 2008 the school's ethnic breakdown is 38 percent White, 42 percent Hispanic, 19 percent African-American, and 1 percent other.[1]

School founding and traditions

Founded in 1928, Lee High School sits on the banks of Goose Creek in the southern part of Baytown. As such, the school adopted the Gander as its mascot, the only school in Texas to do so. In 2007, the Gander was voted as the best mascot in Texas.[2] The school's colors are maroon and white. Over the years, REL has garnered several fight songs. Traditionally, the official fight song from the 1930s is "Dull Razor Blues", a foxtrot that is played up-tempo featuring a trumpet solo. Nicknamed "the Blade", Dull Razor Blues has fallen into disuse since the mid 2000s. Now, the song most commonly associated as the school's fight is "Washington and Lee Swing". Another traditional song is "Southern Special", a swing version of the traditional song "Dixie", played at a very fast tempo which was played after football touchdowns for several years. The final traditional school song, commonly referred to as the 'medley', consists of a compilation of three songs: "Are You From Dixie?", "Waitin' on the Robert E. Lee", and "Washington and Lee Swing".

The Robert E. Lee High School Alma Mater is an original composition.

History

On April 29, 1987, a three-alarm fire destroyed the interior of the main building. Initially thought to be accidental, the fire was eventually ruled arson. The main building interior was rebuilt and formally rededicated in 1988. The incident is mentioned in the Mean Gene Kelton song "Cruising Texas Avenue".

The Lee Brigadiers

From the early 1930s to 2001, REL High School was also home to a unique and famous tradition. The Lee Brigadiers were an all-female drum and bugle corps that marched military style in football games and parades. While a more common group in the middle of the 20th century, all-female drum and bugle corps were all but extinct by the 1980s, having been replaced by dance teams and pep squads. The Lee Brigadiers continued their traditions of marching in maroon military uniforms with boots and skirts until they were the last group of its kind, finally succumbing to lack of student interest. Now the school is home to a dance team, the Lee Celebrities.

State Historical Site

In February 2011, at the request of the The Baytown Historical Preservation Association, the school was designated by the state as a historical site. The Historical Preservation Association believed that Lee was eligible for the designation because of its age, unique architectural facade, and its importance to the Baytown community, and deserved to be recognized. A dedication ceremony took place on April 27, 2013.

Academics

Alongside the typical core courses offered at all high school, Lee also offers some advanced courses in various fields. The school offers Advanced Placement courses for Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics, Art History, World History, U.S. History, European History, English Language, English Literature, American Government, Computer Science A, and Computer Science AB. In 2007, the school produced twenty five AP Scholars,[3] and twenty nine in 2006.[4] Lee also participates, annually, in the UIL competitions.

Notable alumni

Notes

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/1/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.