Decatur High School (Federal Way, Washington)

Decatur High School is an American secondary school teaching grades nine through twelve. A part of the Federal Way School District, it was founded in 1973 in Federal Way, Washington. The school was built in 1976, renovated in 1987, then again remodelled in 2002.

Although sometimes assumed to have been named after Commodore Stephen Decatur, a War of 1812 and Barbary Wars naval hero, the school is in fact named after the USS Decatur, a ship named for Stephen Decatur that assisted settlers during the 1856 Battle of Seattle. A logo incorporating an image of the Decatur features prominently on the school's student identification cards.

Decatur was originally built as an "open concept" high school, where students were encouraged to study at their own pace in an open environment. Within the framework of this concept, there were few permanent walls built in the school's original structure. However, this experimental approach was scrapped after the 1976-77 school year when it was discovered that not all high school students were self-motivated enough to meet the district's education standards.

The school colors are navy blue and gold. The spirit color is orange and was purportedly selected when a clothing order for navy- and camouflage-colored garments was shipped with orange in the place of navy. Expediently, those responsible determined that orange should be considered a symbol of "Gator Pride".

Student Life

Approximately 1,650 students attend the school. http://i14.tinypic.com/4cvi883.jpgEthnicity chart.

Academic and Student Programs

• Annual/Yearbook
• Associated Student Body
• Athletic training
• Band: Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pep Band
• Chess Club
• Cheerleading
• Choir
• Dance/Drill
• Debate
• Distributive Education Club of America (DECA)
• Drama
• Driver’s Education
• FOCUS Photography Club
• French Club
• Frequency
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Future Community Career Leaders of America (FCCLA)
• Honor Society
• Horticulture
• International Club
• Key Club
• Leadership
• Math Club
• Newspaper
• Orchestra
• Reach Club
• Special Education (consultant, Inclusion, resource room and self-contained)
• Speech
• SPSL sports – all programs
• VICA

Athletics

Decatur is part of the South Division of the 4A South Puget Sound League in Washington's West Central District (as of 2008-2009). Recent team finishes in State Championships include:

• 2nd in '07, 3rd in '06, 4th in '08 for Dance/Drill Team
• 1st in 2003 and '05, 3rd in '04, 4th in '02, and 7th in '01 and '06 for Boys Swim and Dive
• 2nd in '04, 3rd in '05, and 4th in '00 for Boys Tennis
• 2nd in 1996 for Boys Basketball
• 3rd in '00 for Girls Tennis
• 3rd in '04 for Girls Track and Field
• 4th in '05, 5th in '00, and 7th in '06 for Girls Swim and Dive
• Semi Finals in '08 for Boys Basketball lost to Federal Way High School
• 1st in '01 and '02 in boys soccer, at one point in '02 the team was ranked 7th in the entire nation.

Other sports are Football, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Fastpitch Softball, Volleyball, Soccer, Wrestling and Golf.
Decatur's main rivals are the Federal Way Eagles.

Notable Alumni

• Ciaran O'Brien, Soccer Player (Colorado Rapids)
• Apolo Anton Ohno, Olympic speed skater and winner of 'Dancing with the Stars'
• Victor Rogers, Former NFL Player
• Kerry Bellessa, Music Video and Commercial Director

References

• Decatur School Profile

External links

• Decatur High School Website
• South Puget Sound League: Decatur High School
• Decatur Boy's Basketball Website