George Walton Comprehensive High School

File:WaltonFrontage2017.jpg

File:RaidersMascot.jpg

Construction of Walton High School began in 1973, and the school opened in 1975. Various sections of the school have been renovated, and entirely new halls have been added continuously, each time with their own distinct type of architecture and style. Throughout these many years of construction, especially in recent years, mobile classrooms, colloquially called "trailers," were added to accommodate for the classrooms rendered unavailable. A small number were still in use until 2017, when a replacement building opened.

Walton has been a Georgia School of Excellence since the program's creation in 1984, and in the same year was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.[http://doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/support/recognition/blue_ribbon_schools.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools from Georgia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060807112002/http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/support/recognition/blue_ribbon_schools.pdf |date=August 7, 2006 }}. Retrieved April 6, 2007.[http://doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/support/recognition/soe_all.pdf Past Schools of Excellence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031228160358/http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/support/recognition/soe_all.pdf |date=December 28, 2003 }}. Retrieved April 6, 2007. Walton became a charter school in 1998.[http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/cs_history.pdf?p=4BE1EECF99CD364EA5554055463F1FBB77B0B70FECF5942E12E123FE4810FFF5BCC5B826721EFEAB63F732F8F1AC3761&Type=D Charter School History Since 1993]{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Retrieved April 6, 2007.

Portions of the 2003 movie Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd were filmed in the Walton auto shop, science rooms, and cafeteria.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329028/locations Filming locations for Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)]. Retrieved May 6, 2007. The basketball gym was painted over with the film's fictional logo, and to replace it, part of the film's budget went towards buying a new floor for the entire gym, which was removed in summer 2019 as part of the renovations of the school. The logo of the old gym is framed near the entrance to the new gym.

File:Walton Ribbon Cutting.jpg

121 full-time and 15 part-time teachers are employed at Walton, as well as seven full-time and two part-time administrators. Including other special resource teachers and support staff, Walton has 174 full-time and 21 part-time employees.[http://www.cobbk12.org/~walton/Walton%20Charter.pdf George Walton Comprehensive High School Charter School Renewal Petition June 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210556/http://www.cobbk12.org/~walton/Walton%20Charter.pdf |date=September 27, 2007 }}. Retrieved April 29, 2007. The student-teacher ratio is 20:1, above the state average of 14:1.[http://www.mdjonline.com/articles/2005/10/10/89/10197652.txt Nose to the grindstone]{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Retrieved May 6, 2007.

Walton gained charter status in 1998, which was renewed in 2003, 2008, and 2012. Walton's administration has made several changes to the school's policy and schedule, among other areas, through this. One of the changes is the Walton Governance Council, which replaces the original local council in matters pertaining to the maintenance of the charter and its renewal every five years. This larger and more diverse council was also a change given by the charter itself to better represent its stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, administrators, and others).

Possibly Walton's most noticeable change is the Walton Enrichment Block, or WEB, which shortens classes one day a week (usually Wednesday) to provide students several hours to complete missed assignments, receive individual instruction, or simply leave early. WEBs only occur on weeks without any other events such as county-mandated teacher workdays or early releases.

Walton also allows students to take additional classes before and after school. Many students today take advantage of 0 Period to take an additional course each day before the normal school day begins. 0 period is also included in the "Flex Schedule," in which students may leave after 6th period by taking a 0 period class, thus still giving six classes and a lunch period.

The petition adopted in 2008 also proposes a new method of evaluating teachers called the "Collaborative Growth Model," a release from mandated End of Course Test days that conflict with AP exams, and recognition of Project Lead the Way courses as being worthy of half a quality point towards a grade point average.

The school offers many clubs, groups, and societies exist for a variety of interests. Walton has a Beta Club, a National Honor Society, and a Habitat for Humanity group. It also has a Politically Active Citizens, and a Future Physicians Club.[http://www.cobbk12.org/~walton/clubs/clubs.htm Clubs & Organizations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118235101/http://www.cobbk12.org/~walton/clubs/clubs.htm |date=November 18, 2006 }}. Retrieved April 6, 2007. Aside from general interest groups, service clubs, and honor societies, students may participate in various sports, fine arts, and academic organizations.

Image:Waltonraiders.jpg

File:Football .jpg

Walton has won the GADA Dodge AAAAA Directors Cup four times since its creation in 1999 for having superior overall athletic performance[http://www.waltonhigh.org/athletics.cfm Athletics Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927044925/http://www.waltonhigh.org/athletics.cfm |date=September 27, 2007 }}. Retrieved August 31, 2007. and five consecutive volleyball championships from 1999 to 2002.[http://www.waltonbaseball.com/show_article.php?article=47 Outstanding Athletics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006155547/http://www.waltonbaseball.com/show_article.php?article=47 |date=October 6, 2007 }}. Retrieved August 31, 2007. In recent years, it has won state championships in boys' tennis, led by outgoing team captain Mitch Lyons, girls' tennis,[http://www.waltontennis.net/Tennis___Academic_Tradition.html Tennis & Academics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927214143/http://www.waltontennis.net/Tennis___Academic_Tradition.html |date=September 27, 2007 }}. Retrieved August 31, 2007. boys' soccer (2002, 2006, 2008, 2011),[http://eteamz.active.com/waltonsoccer/news/index.cfm?cat=278926 Walton Raiders Soccer Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128151720/http://eteamz.active.com/waltonsoccer/news/index.cfm?cat=278926 |date=January 28, 2007 }}. Retrieved August 31, 2007. and boys' baseball. Also in 2011, the men's lacrosse team had an undefeated year where they won the school's first lacrosse championship, and made a promising run in the 2014 season under new Head Coach Griffin Spotz, making it to the semi-finals. In 2004, the Walton Raider football team went undefeated in their region. The Raiders beat Valdosta High School in the state quarter-finals to advance to the state semi-finals at the Georgia Dome, before falling to Parkview High School. In 2007, the Raiders were again region champions, beating the previous state champion and nationally ranked Roswell High School, and the last undefeated team Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in the state quarter-finals to advance to the state semi-finals before falling to North Gwinnett High School at the Georgia Dome.

The boys' curling team, which was started in 2007, won its first state championship in 2008 after just one year of training. They went on to nationals, only to finish in last place.

The Raider rugby team, founded in 2007, won its third straight state high school championship in 2010."http://www.rugbymag.com/news/high-school/boys/walton-wins-georgia-hs-championship.aspx{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}"> Raider Rugby is still a club team but is currently working on becoming a school-supported sport.Walton wins georgia hs championship. (2010, May 15). Retrieved from http://www.rugbymag.com/news/high-school/boys/walton-wins-georgia-hs-championship.aspx{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

"Raider Valley", the home field of the Walton Raiders, went through some major renovations during the summer of 2010. The football team raised enough money to build a new stadium. The Raiders put in a new football field, along with a top-of-the-line Jumbotron score board. The renovations took place all summer; the new turf field is meant to be beneficial to all outdoor activities.http://raidersfb.net/wtcwp/2010/07/walton-scoreboard-installed/{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{alumni|date=March 2023}}

{{col div}}

• Andy Dick (1984), comedian and actor; Homecoming King in 1983
• Blaine Boyer (1999), baseball player
• Billy Burns (2008), professional baseball player with the New York Yankees
• Robin Finck (1990), guitarist for Nine Inch Nails and Guns N' Roses
• Ryan Harrow (2010), professional basketball player
• Chris Hollod (2001), venture capitalist and angel investor
• Aaron Kelly, wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers; became wide receiver in the CFL{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Players/List/2009-Big-Board/Aaron-Kelly.html|title=Members Only Notification|work=NUC Sports Magazine|access-date=August 30, 2015|archive-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302022401/http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Players/List/2009-Big-Board/Aaron-Kelly.html|url-status=live}}
• Carter Kieboom (2016), baseball player{{cite web | url=https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/atlantabraves/walton-alum-carter-kieboom-part-of-power-show-as-nationals-beat-braves/article_35c8fc05-6f1a-5e47-8e00-2355a250371c.html | title=Walton alum Carter Kieboom part of power show as Nationals beat Braves | date=September 29, 2023 }}
• Spencer Kieboom (2009), baseball player{{cite web | url=https://eastcobbnews.com/ex-walton-baseball-star-spencer-kieboom-recalled-by-washington-nationals-gets-first-major-league-hit/ | title=Ex-Walton baseball star Spencer Kieboom recalled by Washington Nationals, gets first major league hit | date=May 22, 2018 }}
• Zac Kristofak (2016), baseball player{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdjonline.com/sports/pitcher-of-the-year-walton-s-run-to-title-fueled-by-kristofak/article_69678b98-38ef-11e6-a048-97a8f0c29972.html|title=Pitcher of the Year: Walton's run to title fueled by Kristofak|first=Alex MakridesMDJ Sports|last=Writer|date=June 22, 2016|website=Marietta Daily Journal}}
• Kevin Kruger (2002), head basketball coach, University of Nevada Las Vegas
• Scott MacRae (1992), professional baseball player (Cincinnati Reds)
• Thomas Morton (2001), Vice correspondent
• Marc Pisciotta (1988), professional baseball player (Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals)
• Luke Putkonen (2004), professional baseball player (Detroit Tigers)
• Glen Rice Jr. (2009), professional basketball player Washington Wizards, 2017-18 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League
• Chris Robinson, musician and founding member, with Rich Robinson, of the rock band The Black Crowes; formed the band in 1984 (which was originally called Mr. Crowes Garden) while the two attended Walton
• Rich Robinson, musician and founding member, with Chris Robinson, of the rock band The Black Crowes; formed the band in 1984 (which was originally called Mr. Crowes Garden) while the two attended Walton
• Jeff Small (1991), CEO of Amblin
• Chris Stowers (1992), professional baseball player (Montreal Expos)
• Chase Thomas (2008), All-State defensive end and All-American linebacker at Stanford University

{{col div end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website}}

{{GHSA Class AAAAAA Region 5}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Schools in Cobb County, Georgia

Category:Public high schools in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Charter schools in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Educational institutions established in 1975

Category:1975 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Buildings and structures in Marietta, Georgia