:North Community High School

North has occupied four buildings. The first housed three grades when North opened in 1888. Three years later the first class graduated.Alexander. Dave (February 25, 1988) "Younger North High graduates keep alumni group on move" Star Tribune The school outgrew the building and a new facility was built at a new site, opening in 1896. On June 18, 1913, a fire burned down most of the school. A new building was built over the destroyed structure and was completed in 1914.[http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/results.cfm?Page=2&EndDate=1924&Keywords=north%20high%20school&StartDate=1850&SortOrder=Decending&SearchType=Advanced Historic images of North High School] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207182428/http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/results.cfm?Page=2&EndDate=1924&Keywords=north%20high%20school&StartDate=1850&SortOrder=Decending&SearchType=Advanced |date=2012-02-07 }} Minnesota Historical Society Additions were made in 1921, 1923, and 1939.[https://secure.mpls.k12.mn.us/mpshistory/data/documents/PFF-1963-North.pdf North Senior High School: Planning for the Future] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724091836/https://secure.mpls.k12.mn.us/mpshistory/data/documents/PFF-1963-North.pdf |date=2011-07-24 }} August 1, 1963 History of Minneapolis Public Schools

In 1963 it was determined that if the building was "to be retained as a secondary educational facility over a long period of time by the Minneapolis Public School system, it needs extensive rehabilitation and modernization to meet present day health, safety and educational adequacy.". Instead of improving the building, a new school was built on a new site and funded as part of a 1964 $18 million bond referendum that also funded improvements to other Minneapolis public schools. The new—and current—North opened in 1973.Smetanka, Mary Jane (February 25, 1987) "Green says city may need more schools" 7B Star Tribune[http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/history.msnw Building History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021202161908/http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/history.msnw |date=2002-12-02 }} Minneapolis North High Alumni The building was described as "resembling a giant bunker with few windows, double doors that are often locked from outside during the day to keep out unwanted visitors and painted-over graffiti on outside walls."Lewin, Rhoda (2001) [https://books.google.com/books?id=D6KUoKmDiqkC The Jewish Community of North Minneapolis] Arcadia Publishing pg. 121 {{ISBN|0-7385-0817-9}} Another description calls it a "series of brick boxes arranged around a courtyard" that "doesn't allow it to connect well with the community".{{cite book |last=Millett |first=Larry |author-link=Larry Millett |title=AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul |year=2007 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press |isbn=0-87351-540-4 |pages=298 }} North used to house adult education classes, a school for teenage mothers and a separate charter school, Dunwoody Academy.Releford, Patrice (December 2, 2008), "[http://www.startribune.com/local/35437024.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUFCharter school to share Minneapolis public school space ]" Star TribuneShah Allie (October 11, 2010) "[http://www.startribune.com/local/104747594.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU Angry, sad over North High's decline]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Star Tribune All of these programs have relocated to other buildings.

Image:Minneapolis North High School 1902.jpg

Image:Minneapolis North High School 1915.jpg

As the North Side neighborhood has changed, so has North High. During the 1920s and 1930s, the North Side was the center of Minneapolis' Jewish population.Grossman, Max [http://grossmanproject.net/from_washington_avenue.htm From Washington Avenue to Plymouth Avenue] Accessed: February 1, 2008 In 1936, almost half of the students were Jewish.Lewin, Rhoda (2001) [https://books.google.com/books?id=D6KUoKmDiqkC The Jewish Community of North Minneapolis] Arcadia Publishing pg. 18 {{ISBN|0-7385-0817-9}} The North Side has since transitioned into a diverse working-class neighborhood. North at one time had high enrollment and was overcrowded with more than 2800 students attending in 1931.[https://secure.mpls.k12.mn.us/mpshistory/data/documents/Fire-Report-1931-North.pdf Fire Protection Engineering Report March 1 1931] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724091806/https://secure.mpls.k12.mn.us/mpshistory/data/documents/Fire-Report-1931-North.pdf |date=2011-07-24 }} History of MPS Facilities Now, students are able to choose which schools they attend, and as a result only about half of the North Side's students attend local schools such as North.Hawkins, Beth (November 16, 2007) [http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2007/11/16/117/north_minneapolis_schools_face_crisis_of_confidence_as_board_ponders_strategic_plan North Minneapolis schools face crisis of confidence] MinnPost.com The Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education's decision to close several North Side middle and elementary schools in the early 2000s led to North's enrollment plummeting from 1,143 students in 2004–2005 to 265 students in 2010. On October 11, 2010, Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson recommended to the Board of Education the phasing out of North High Community High School beginning in the 2011–2012 school year.Unknown(October 11, 2010) [http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/superintendent_johnson_to_recommend_phasing_out_of_north_community_high_school.html Superintendent Johnson to recommend phasing out of North Community High School] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716103920/http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/superintendent_johnson_to_recommend_phasing_out_of_north_community_high_school.html |date=2011-07-16 }}, Minneapolis Public SchoolsDenko, Paul (June 20, 2007) [http://www.citypages.com/2007-06-20/news/the-outsiders/ The Outsiders] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529033610/http://www.citypages.com/2007-06-20/news/the-outsiders/ |date=2011-05-29 }} City Pages However, this decision resulted in backlash from the North Minneapolis community. It was decided that North Community High School would remain open, but change its curriculum standards to focus more on arts and communications. It is now called North Academy of Arts and Communications (NAAC).

Since the 1970s, the school has been known for its strong boys and girls basketball programs. Both teams have enjoyed numerous state tournament appearances and won state championship titles. North offers several college preparatory classes, and owns and operates KBEM-FM. The school has often struggled with graduation rate and state standardized tests.[http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard2005/schoolDistrictInfo.do?SCHOOL_NUM=358&DISTRICT_NUM=0001&DISTRICT_TYPE=03 Report Card Information North Senor High] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524022033/http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard2005/schoolDistrictInfo.do?SCHOOL_NUM=358&DISTRICT_NUM=0001&DISTRICT_TYPE=03|date=2010-05-24}} Minnesota Department of Education

964 students attended North during the 2006–2007 school year.Smith, Dane (March 14, 1987) "North's magnet classes draw Perpich's praise" 11B Star Tribune Minority enrollment rose to over 60% in 1991.Smetanka, Mary Jane (January 8, 1991) "Minorities now are majority in Minneapolis Public Schools" Star Tribune In 2010, 3% of students were white, with 69% black. 82% qualified for free or reduced price lunch (an indicator of poverty), 16% had limited English proficiency, and 22% qualified for special education.

During the 2012{{ndash}}2013 school year and with its inaugural class of freshman, North Academy of Arts and Communication (NAAC), began as a small college preparatory school.

North's framework is based on the Seven Guiding Principles of the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA):{{Cite web|title = ISA {{!}} School Transformation {{!}} High School Reform|url = http://www.studentachievement.org|website = Institute for Student Achievement|access-date = 2015-10-18|language = en-US}}

1. College Preparatory Instructional Program
2. Dedicated Team of Teachers and Counselor
3. Distributed Counseling
4. Continuous Professional Development
5. Extended School Day and School Year
6. Family Involvement
7. Continuous Organizational Improvement

The school has an Advanced Placement program that offers several different courses.[http://highschoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us/north.html?NodeId= School Choice Data] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009000516/http://highschoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us/north.html?NodeId= |date=2006-10-09 }} Minneapolis Public School

North is opened a second academy in the fall of 2016—N-STEM (North Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)—which is an iteration of the school's successful Summatech program that closed in 2007.[http://highschoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us/Summatech.html Summatech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505055613/http://highschoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us/SummaTech.html |date=2005-05-05 }} Minneapolis High Schools' Choice Center

Local politician Don Samuels criticized North's low academic results in the 2000s after apologizing for a statement that the school should be burned.Collins, Terry (February 3, 2007) "Samuels refuses to back down on North - The City Council member, who has said the high school should be burned, apologized for the language but not for his critique of the school's performance." Star Tribune

{{further|KBEM-FM}}

North High School is home to KBEM-FM, a radio station owned by the Minneapolis Public Schools. The station signed on the air in October, 1970, and moved to North in 1983 when the Minneapolis Area Vocational Technical Institute, where the station had been located from its launch (as Vocational High School), closed and the building sold. Students are responsible for much of the station's operation, and 35 hours of airtime a week is devoted to student programming. Approximately 150 students are involved in the radio station's operation, with the majority attending North.[http://jazz88.mpls.k12.mn.us/missionstatement.html Mission Statement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221065711/http://jazz88.mpls.k12.mn.us/missionstatement.html |date=2007-12-21 }} KBEM-FM. Students typically enroll in the program as ninth-graders and are prepared for on-air duties by their junior or senior year.Blake, Laurie (April 13, 1989) "Minneapolis students will broadcast traffic reports" 3B Star Tribune

The station broadcasts traffic reports for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area with data provided by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. From 1989 to 2005, the station was paid approximately $400,000 by the DOT for this service.Rybak, Deborah Caulfield (March 9, 2005) "KBEM reaches an agreement with MnDOT" 3B Star Tribune
Gutknecht, Kevin (January 5, 2005) [http://www.newsline.dot.state.mn.us/archive/05/jan/5.html#4 "Mn/DOT ends KBEM contract, traffic reporting"] Minnesota Department of Education MnDOT had planned to cancel the contract, but due to public demand the state continued the relationship.{{cite web|url=http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/25Jul2006 |title=KBEM continues partnership with Department of Transportation |date=July 2006 |access-date=2008-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013110638/http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/25Jul2006 |archive-date=October 13, 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.state.mn.us/maint/partners.html|title=Minnesota Department of Transportation - Office of Maintenance - Partnerships|access-date=2008-01-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040216064153/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/maint/partners.html|archive-date=2004-02-16}}

North offers a variety of musical programs. A beginning band, concert band, Jazz ensemble and drum line are offered. Choir, varsity choir, vocal ensembles and a gospel choir are available. Other extracurricular activities include a variety of academic competitions, a chess club, culture-specific clubs including an award-winning Asian Club,McNiff, Tim (January 14, 2008) [https://archive.today/20120918203537/http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=492580 To Kochul Thao, education and community are a priority] KARE-11 debate and mock trial teams, a school newspaper and yearbook, science club and student government. North's Math team competes in the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League. The school has a chapter of National Honor Society.

File:North Side High School varsity football team.jpg

North is a member of the Minnesota State High School League.[http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/schoolpage2.asp?page=1&school=292 Minneapolis North Community H.S.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208085625/http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/schoolpage2.asp?page=1&school=292 |date=2012-02-08 }} Minnesota State High School League North offers eleven boys' and twelve girls' varsity sports.[http://north.mpls.k12.mn.us/Sports_North.html Athletics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622142349/http://north.mpls.k12.mn.us/Sports_North.html |date=2013-06-22 }} North Community High School These include football (boys), wrestling (boys), tennis (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), baseball (boys), softball (girls), golf (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls), volleyball (girls), swimming (boys and girls), gymnastics (girls), badminton (girls), ice hockey (boys and girls), cross country (boys and girls) and track and field (boys and girls). North has Adapted Bowling.[http://north.mpls.k12.mn.us/History_of_Adapted_Bowling_at_North2.html History of Adapted Bowling at North] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125022405/http://north.mpls.k12.mn.us/History_of_Adapted_Bowling_at_North2.html |date=2008-01-25 }} North Community High School Both boys' and girls' teams are called "Polars". All of the sports teams participate, like all public high schools in Minneapolis, in the Minneapolis City Conference. North has won the state title in Boys' Track and Field in 1943 and 1948.

The boys' basketball team was dominant in the 1980s. Coached by Tony Queen, the team won eight of ten Minneapolis City Conference championships and went to the state tournament eight times, winning in 1980 and placing second in 1984 and 1985.Pate, Eric T. (March 12, 1992) "Glory of `80s is long gone for North - Polars yearn for return to top echelon" 9C Star Tribune In 1988 Queen was suspended from coaching for one year following attempts to recruit basketball players, which is illegal under Minnesota State High School League rules.Augustoviz, Roman (May 13, 1988) "Queen loses North basketball job" 1C Star TribuneFermoyle, Mike (May 13, 1988) "NORTH SUSPENDS QUEEN FOR PLAYER RECRUITMENT" Sports 5D Saint Paul Pioneer Press He lost a battle to be rehired in U.S. District court.Dalglish, Lucy (July 28, 1988) "NORTH HIGH COACH LOSES BID FOR REINSTATEMENT" Saint Paul Pioneer Press Queen was fired in 1990 for having sex with a student in the early 1980s.Gendler, Neal (February 14, 1990) "Ex-coach fired on ground that he had had sex with a student" 1B Star Tribune(February 15, 1990) "ACCUSED MINNEAPOLIS TEACHER IS FIRED AFTER YEAR'S SUSPENSION" Metro 2D Saint Paul Pioneer Press In the mid-1990s the boys' team had a dominating resurgence. Led by Khalid El-Amin, North tied a state record with three state championships in a row, from 1995 to 1997.Taylor, Kimberly Hayes (March 24, 1997) "Emotion replaces pressure as North celebrates another basketball crown" 1B Star Tribune The boys' teams have also won championships in 2003, 2016, and 2017.

The girls' team went to the state title game every year except for one from 1997 to 2005. They won in 1998, 1999, and had three straight wins in 2003, 2004 and 2005.Schmid, Pam (March 13, 2005), "GIRLS' BASKETBALL 3A CHAMPIONSHIP - Polars persevere - North girls claim third consecutive state title", Star TribuneLissimore, Lisa (March 6, 2005), [http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/sports/2005GBBallNewsRel.html "State Girls' Basketball Tournament Minneapolis North Community, Hopkins return to defend 2004 titles; Seven teams making first appearances"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019072103/http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/sports/2005GBBallNewsRel.html |date=2013-10-19 }}, Minnesota State High School League

• The Andrews Sisters (1930s), singing groupMinneapolis Tribune, October 9, 1938, pg 21. Retrieved June 2, 2021https://digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/collection/Yearbooks/id/51857 North High School 1958 Polaris yearbook pg 4. Retrieved June 2, 2021
• Tom Barnard (1969), broadcasterShefchik, Rick (May 15, 1988) "MORNING GLORY \ KQ'S TOM BARNARD HITS THE BIG TIME" 1D St. Paul Pioneer Press
• Billy Beal (1898), engineer and photographer
• Bob Bjorklund, American football player
• Ben Coleman (1970s), NBA player
• W. Harry Davis (1942), civil rights activist, amateur boxing coach, civic leader and businessman[http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/2.msnw D-F] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616181220/http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/2.msnw |date=2008-06-16 }} Minneapolis North High Alumni
• George C. Dahlvang (1935), Minnesota state representative[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=10121 Minnesota Legislators Past & Present-George C. Dahlvang]
• Farrell Dobbs (1925), Trotskyist and trade unionist
• Khalid El-Amin (1997), NBA player
• William Gallagher (1894), former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000019 GALLAGHER, William James, (1875 - 1946)] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Sid Gillman (1930), professional football coach[http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/3.msnw Polar Alumni G] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616183741/http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/3.msnw |date=2008-06-16 }} Minneapolis North High Alumni
• Sid Hartman (1939), sports journalist and broadcaster[http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/4.msnw Polar Alumni H to Hol] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616183309/http://groups.msn.com/polarsalumni/4.msnw |date=2008-06-16 }} Minneapolis North High Alumni
• Tyler Johnson (2016), American football player
• Terry Lewis, Morris Day and other members of Flyte Tyme/The Time, musiciansRiemenschneider, Chris (January 27, 2006) "[http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/11507366.html Rock 'n' Roll High Schools] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607024756/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/11507366.html |date=2011-06-07 }}" Star Tribune
• Stan Kowalski (born Bert Smith), professional wrestler
• Peter Macon (1990s?), actor (The Orville){{cite news |last=Justin |first=Neal |date=2019-04-08 |title=Minneapolis actor is a hit on Fox's sci-fi series 'The Orville' |url=https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-actor-is-a-hit-on-fox-s-sci-fi-series-the-orville/507413402/ |work=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis-St.Paul |access-date=2020-08-20 }}
• Tamara Moore (1998), WNBA player
• Gerald T. Mullin (1919), Minnesota state legislator, businessman, and lawyer[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=14070 Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Gerald T. Mullin]
• Floyd B. Olson (1909), 22nd Governor of MinnesotaFurst, Randy (August 18, 1986) "Floyd B. Olson / Governor died 50 years ago" 15A Star Tribune
• Dave Peterson, teacher and coach of the United States men's national ice hockey team{{cite news|title=1988 Calgary Winter Olympics: Steady as he goes, this isn't the Dave Peterson show|last=Weiner|first=Jay|date=February 7, 1988|newspaper=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis, Minnesota|page=1P|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119340301/peterson-1988/}}; {{cite news|title=Peterson (continued)|last=Weiner|first=Jay|date=February 7, 1988|newspaper=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis, Minnesota|page=10P|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119340031/peterson-1988/}}
• Wayne Robinson (1948?) NFL football player Philadelphia Eagles (1952–1956) professional football coach (1957–1976)
• Rafael Rodriguez (1964) professional welter weight boxer of Minnesota (1970's) Inducted in Minnesota's boxing Hall Of Fame (2010)
• Harrison Salisbury (1908), journalist
• Irving S. Shapiro (1924?), former chairman and CEO of DuPont{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Corey|title=End of an era in north Minneapolis?|url=http://www.startribune.com/local/104644179.html|access-date=October 10, 2010|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=October 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013163819/http://www.startribune.com/local/104644179.html|archive-date=October 13, 2010|url-status=dead}}
• Cyril A. Stebbins (1898), agricultural educator
• Robert Vaughn (1950?), actorTomson, Ellen (September 25, 1988), "PRINCIPAL WENT TO SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS//HERITAGE IS STRENGTH", Saint Paul Pioneer Press
• Rohene Ward (2001) Olympic figure skating coach and choreographer. Former US figure skating competitor and Puerto Rico's 2004 champion
• Roy Wier (1906?), former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000446 WIER, Roy William, (1888 - 1963)] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

The four-part Showtime docuseries "Boys in Blue" that debuted in 2023 followed the challenges faced by the North football team in the aftermath of protests over the murder of George Floyd. The series included the fatal shooting of North student-athlete Deshaun Hill Jr. in 2022.{{Cite news |last=Maury |first=Glovery |date=2023-01-06 |title='Boys in Blue' focuses on North Minneapolis football relationships, MPD officer coaches |work=KMSP-TV |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/boys-in-blue-focuses-on-north-minneapolis-football-relationships-mpd-officer-coaches |access-date=2023-01-10}}

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Category:High schools in Minneapolis

Category:Educational institutions established in 1888

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Category:Public high schools in Minnesota

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