Ridgeway High School is a public high school in Memphis, Tennessee and is part of the Shelby County Schools. Ridgeway High School first opened in 1971, hosting students from grades 7-12. The first class of graduates was in 1973 with approximately 175 students. Ridgeway High School now only houses grades 9–12 with the recent addition of Ridgeway Middle School in 2001. In August 2008 the 9th grade moved to a separate Ridgeway Ninth Grade Freshmen Academy. Ridgeway offers two basic academic programs: the Standard Program and the Honors Program. To take courses in the latter program, students must achieve certain scores on standardized tests, maintain certain grades, and meet certain course requirements. Ridgeway is known for its high scores and achievements in the city and the state. Ridgeway is considered to be a top school in the school system. Ridgeway is one of the few schools in the school system to constantly pass all required levels by the No Child Left Behind act. Ridgeway was also Best of Preps in 1987 and for seven years running in the greater Memphis area. Ridgeway has one of the bottom special education programs in the Shelby County Schools system and offers CLUE advanced English and excels in that department. Ridgeway prides itself on high achievements on both the ACT and the SAT. In recent years graduates have attended Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Baylor University, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Tulane University, Emory University, Indiana University, The George Washington University, Wesleyan University, and other top tier schools. Ridgeway also prides itself on its teachers. 68% of the teachers hold either a masters or a doctoral degree. 100% of the teachers hold bachelor's degrees and a state license. The A.P. program is one of the top in the city schools. Ridgeway offers Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Calculus AB, Statistics, American Government, European History, American History, Music Theory, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish Language, and French language. Ridgeway has recently added two new academic programs to their two basic academic programs: Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate Program.
Extra-curricular activities
Ridgeway is home to one of the state's best high school boys basketball teams coached by Wes Henning. The Roadrunners are consistently ranked among the top teams in the state and have won many state titles. Ridgeway also has a girls basketball team, soccer teams, promising track and field teams, baseball/softball teams, a football team, a bowling team, a golf team, a volleyball team, cross-country teams, a tennis team, a swim team, and a wrestling team. Ridgeway has a school newspaper created by the Creative Writing Class and an annual yearbook created by the Yearbook class. Ridgeway has many active clubs in areas including foreign language, mathematics, science, business, government, music, art, community service, religion, and more. There is an active Student Council, a jazz band, Model United Nations team, knowledge bowl team, quiz bowl team, and debate team. Ridgeway excels in local and national competitions of all varieties. Ridgeway Roadrunners hold positions in the All-West Tennessee Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Ridgeway also have an extensive theatre program producing both a fall and spring show every year with the help of the band and choir departments. Ridgeway also hosts an annual Fine Arts festival put on by the students with the help of the PTO. The school also has a few special programs including Facing History and Ourselves, Ridgeway – University of Tennessee summer internships, PLATO course recovery, and Gateway exam tutoring.
Demographics
Ridgeway High School is known to have a diverse student body. The enrollment for grades 9–12 is roughly 1,500. 77% of the student body is African American, 17% is White, 5% is Hispanic, and 1% makes up the rest of the population. The promotion rate for the school is 96.5%, and the average class size is 30 students. The same diversity applies to the teachers at Ridgeway. 42% of the teachers are African American, 56% of the teachers are White, 2% of the teachers are Hispanic and one faculty member is Asian American. Another Faculty member is a Nigerian.
Uniforms
All Ridgeway students are required to wear school uniforms. All shirts must be white, navy and orange. Trousers, shorts, and skirts must be black, tan, or navy blue. Students at Ridgeway may also wear Ridgeway Roadrunner logo clothing including sweatshirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, and other garments sold through the school.
