Harrisburg High School (Arkansas)


Harrisburg High School is an accredited comprehensive public high school located in the city of Harrisburg, Arkansas, United States. The school provides secondary education for students in grades 9 through 12 serving all or portions of the communities of Harrisburg, Weiner, Cherry Valley and Trumann within Poinsett County, Arkansas, and is the only high school administered by the Harrisburg School District.

History

In 2013, the Harrisburg school district closed Weiner High School, and students were moved to Harrisburg High.

Demographics

Around 2013, before the consolidation of Weiner High, about 79% of Harrisburg High students received free or reduced lunches.

Academics

Harrisburg High School is accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education and has been accredited by AdvancED since 1957. The assumed course of study follows the Smart Core curriculum developed by the ADE. Students complete regular and career focus coursework and exams and may take Advanced Placement courses and exams with the opportunity to receive college credit.
Harrisburg High School was nationally recognized as a bronze medalist in the Best High Schools Report 2012 developed by U.S. News & World Report.

Academic performance

For the 2011-2012 school year, Weiner High School had higher high school level end-of-course examination scores in three of four subjects in most levels, except for grade 11, compared to Harrisburg High; Weiner High's grade 11 literacy scores were against that pattern.
Harrisburg High won the following "most improved" categories in the 2012 University of Arkansas Office of Educational Policy awards for end of course examinations in grade 11 literacy: Top Five most improved high schools in Northeast Arkansas and Top 20 Most Improved High School. In addition, the OEP placed Harrisburg High as No. 2 on that year's list of schools with a low socioeconomic student body that performed strongly in the end of course algebra examinations.

Extracurricular activities

The Harrisburg High School mascot and athletic emblem is the Hornet with black and orange as the school colors.

Athletics

The Harrisburg Hornets compete in interscholastic activities within the 3A Classification via the 3A Region 3 Conference, as administered by the Arkansas Activities Association. The Hornets participate in American football, volleyball, bowling, golf, basketball, cheerleading, baseball, softball, tennis and track and field.
The Harrisburg Lady Hornets volleyball teams have been one of the state's most successful with four state championships.
In 2009, the Harrisburg cheer squad captured the 3A state championship in competitive cheer.

Clubs and traditions

Harrisburg students participate in competitive debate and speech competitions. Students may also engage in a variety of clubs and organizations such as Future Farmers of America), FCCLA, Student Council, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Quiz Bowl and The Hornet yearbook.