Ramsay High School is a four-year

magnet A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, steel, nickel, ...

high school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., ...

Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham ( ) is a city in the north central region of Alabama, United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, Jefferson County. The population was 200,733 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List ...

. It is one of seven high schools in the Birmingham City School System and one of three

International Baccalaureate The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), more commonly known as the International Baccalaureate (IB), is a nonprofit foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded in 1968. It offers four educational programmes: the I ...

schools in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Originally called Southside High School, it was later renamed in honor of industrialist Erskine Ramsay. School colors are royal blue and white, and the athletic teams are called the Rams. Ramsay competes in AHSAA Class 5A athletics.

History

Ramsay's campus was designed by the firm of Warren Knight and Davis with William B. Ittner of

St Louis, Missouri St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...

, as a consulting architect. The design called for multi-story facades facing north and south, wings for a cafeteria and auditorium, and expansive terraces. Only the south-facing portion of the central building was finished. Circa 1970 it received an influx of black students after Samuel Ullman High School closed. The school opened on September 19, 1930, and was accredited by the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is a regional educational accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As of 2022, the organization oversees ap ...

in 1932. The auditorium and athletic facilities were constructed in 1949, and a flat-roofed annex was added onto the main building in 1962. In 1975, Ramsay High School became a

magnet school In the U.S. education system, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. Normally, a student will attend an elementary school, and this also determines the middle school and high school they attend unless they mo ...

that served

gifted Intellectual giftedness is an intellectual ability significantly higher than average and is also known as high potential. It is a characteristic of children, variously defined, that motivates differences in school programming. It is thought to pe ...

students from throughout the city. It is now an

school and the only Birmingham city school to focus exclusively on college preparation. A $21 million renovation was completed in 2009, resulting in a new science wing, competition gym, ROTC program space, counseling office, and cafeteria. The 1962 "flat top" annex was demolished to expand the school's courtyard and parking lot.

Student profile

Enrollment in grades 9–12 for the 2013–14 school year is 758 students. Approximately 99% of students are African-American and 1% are white. Roughly 61% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch. Ramsay has a graduation rate of 99%. Approximately 95% of its students meet or exceed proficiency standards in both reading and mathematics. The average ACT score for Ramsay students is 22 and the average

SAT The SAT ( ) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. Since its debut in 1926, its name and Test score, scoring have changed several times. For much of its history, it was called the Scholastic Aptitude Test ...

composite is 1450.

Academics

International Baccalaureate Program

The

IB Diploma Programme The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at 16-to-19-year-olds in 140 countries around the world. The programme provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry int ...

at Ramsay High School is a challenging and comprehensive two-year curriculum for motivated high school students. Juniors and seniors take six rigorous courses in the following subject groups: English; second language; experimental sciences; the arts; math; and individuals and societies. IB students also engage in three core requirements: an extended essay (4,000 words); theory of knowledge (interdisciplinary course); and creativity, action, service (community service). The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced pre-university program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at university and in life beyond.

Curriculum

Ramsay students can take one or more of the following

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...

and

courses:

Athletics

Ramsay competes in AHSAA Class 5A athletics and fields teams in the following sports: * Baseball * Basketball * Bowling * Football * Golf * Indoor Track & Field * Outdoor Track & Field * Soccer * Softball * Swimming * Tennis * Volleyball * Lacrosse * Wrestling Ramsay has won a total of 25 state championships in the following sports: * Baseball (1948) * Boys' basketball (2006, 2010) * Girls' basketball (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) * Boys' cross country (1966) * Football (1934, 1947, 2016, 2022, 2023 Class 5A State Runner Up) * Girls' tennis (1968, 1969) * Boys' outdoor track and field (1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1949, 1951, 1952) * Volleyball (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990)

Notable alumni

* Phillip Alford, actor who appeared as the character Jem Finch in ''

To Kill a Mockingbird ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is a 1960 Southern Gothic novel by American author Harper Lee. It became instantly successful after its release; in the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' ...

'' (1962). Alford's other acting credits include: ''Fair Play'' (1972), ''The Intruders'', '' Shenandoah'', and ''Bristle Face''. *

Barry Beckett Barry Edward Beckett (February 4, 1943 – June 10, 2009) was an American keyboardist, session musician, record producer, and studio founder. He is best known for his work with David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, and Roger Hawkins, his bandmates in the ...

, Hall of Fame keyboardist, member of the

Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section is a group of American session musicians based in the northern Alabama town of Muscle Shoals. One of the most prominent American studio house bands from the 1960s to the 1980s, these musicians, individually or a ...

otherwise known as "The Swampers". *Lew Bostick, football player and coach, captain of the 1938 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, selected in the NFL draft by the

Cleveland Rams The Cleveland Rams were a professional American football team that played in Cleveland from 1936 to 1945. The Rams competed in the second American Football League (AFL) for the 1936 season and the National Football League (NFL) from 1937 to ...

, played one season, assistant coach for many years at Alabama. *Dellynne Catching, Miss Alabama 1968. *

Fannie Flagg Fannie Flagg (born Patricia Neal; September 21, 1944) is an American actress, comedian, and author. She is best known as a semi-regular panelist on the 1973–1982 versions of the game show ''Match Game'' and for the 1987 novel '' Fried Green To ...

, TV announcer in Birmingham, Hollywood actress, comedian, and novelist. Author of '' Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe''. 1991 Academy Award nomination for her screenplay adaptation for the film ''

Fried Green Tomatoes ''Fried Green Tomatoes'' is a 1991 American comedy-drama film directed by Jon Avnet and based on Fannie Flagg's 1987 novel '' Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe''. Written by Flagg and Carol Sobieski, and starring Kathy Bates, J ...

''. *

Louise Fletcher Estelle Louise Fletcher (July 22, 1934 – September 23, 2022) was an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of the antagonist Nurse Ratched in the film '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1975), which earned her numero ...

, winner of the 1975 Oscar and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role as Nurse Ratched in ''

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may refer to: * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (play), a 1963 stage adaptation of the novel starring Kirk Douglas * ''One Flew Over the ...

''. *

Andrew Glaze Andrew Glaze (April 21, 1920 – February 7, 2016) was an American poet, playwright and novelist. Much of Glaze's poetry reflects his coming of age in the American South, and his eventual return there. He also lived and wrote in New York City fo ...

, poet, playwright, and novelist. *Angie Grooms, Miss Alabama 1966, Birmingham City Council 1971–1977 (known as Angie Proctor). * Sheldon Hackney, historian and educator, provost of

Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial ...

1972–1975, president of

Tulane University The Tulane University of Louisiana (commonly referred to as Tulane University) is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Founded as the Medical College of Louisiana in 1834 by a cohort of medical doctors, it b ...

1975–1980, president of the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. One of nine colonial colleges, it was chartered in 1755 through the efforts of f ...

1981–1993, chairman of the

National Endowment for the Humanities The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency of the U.S. government, established by thNational Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965(), dedicated to supporting research, education, preserv ...

1993–1997. * Tim Keenan III, college football defensive tackle for the

Alabama Crimson Tide The Alabama Crimson Tide refers to the college athletics in the United States, intercollegiate athletic varsity teams that represent the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide teams compete in the Na ...

Baker Knight Thomas Baker Knight Jr. (July 4, 1933 – October 12, 2005) was an American songwriter and musician. His best known compositions were " Lonesome Town", "The Wonder of You", and " Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time". His songs have ...

, musician and songwriter, whose compositions include " Lonesome Town" recorded by

Ricky Nelson Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician and actor. From age eight, he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet''. In 1957, he began a ...

, "

The Wonder of You "The Wonder of You" is a song written by Baker Knight. It was originally recorded by Vince Edwards in 1958, but this recording has never been released. In an interview with a DJ from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ray Peterson told the story of how Ba ...

" recorded by

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

, and " Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time" recorded by

Mickey Gilley Mickey Leroy Gilley (March 9, 1936 – May 7, 2022) was an American country music singer, businessman, actor, and musician. Among his hits are " Room Full of Roses", " Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time", and “ Lonely Nights”. ...

. * Kordell Jackson, CFL defensive back for the

Edmonton Elks The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division (CFL), West Division and plays their home games at Commonw ...

* Vaughn Mancha, Hall of Fame football player, coach, administrator, and teacher. Garnered All-SEC and All-America honors during four years at the

University of Alabama The University of Alabama (informally known as Alabama, UA, the Capstone, or Bama) is a Public university, public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of ...

, drafted by the

Boston Yanks The Boston Yanks were a National Football League team based in Boston, Massachusetts, that played from 1944 to 1948. The team played its home games at Fenway Park. Any games that conflicted with the Boston Red Sox baseball schedule in the Ameri ...

in the first round of the NFL draft of 1948, head football coach at Livingston State College (

University of West Alabama The University of West Alabama (UWA) is a public university in Livingston, Alabama, United States. Founded in 1835, the school began as a church-supported school for young women called "Livingston Female Academy". The university serves students ...

) 1949–1951, athletic director at

Florida State University Florida State University (FSU or Florida State) is a Public university, public research university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preeminent university in the s ...

1960–1972. Inducted into the

College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive Tourist attraction, attraction devoted to college football, college American football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players ...

in 1990. *

Wayne Rogers William Wayne McMillan Rogers III (April 7, 1933 – December 31, 2015) was an American actor, known for playing the role of Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre in the CBS television series '' M*A*S*H'' and as Dr. Charley Michaels on '' House Call ...

, the actor on the TV series ''

M*A*S*H ''M*A*S*H'' (an acronym for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) is an American media franchise consisting of a series of novels, a film, several television series, plays, and other properties, and based on the semi-autobiographical fiction of Richa ...

'' who played Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre. * Roy Wood Jr., the comedian has served as a correspondent for ''The Daily Show'' on Comedy Central since 2015. * Starling Thomas V, NFL, cornerback, Arizona Cardinals

References

External links

Ramsay websiteRamsay school profile on SchoolDiggerRamsay school profile on NicheRamsay football history
{{Coord, 33.498, -86.798, display=title High schools in Birmingham, Alabama Educational institutions established in 1930 William B. Ittner buildings Public high schools in Alabama Schools in Jefferson County, Alabama 1930 establishments in Alabama