Salina High School South is a fully accredited public school located in Salina, Kansas, serving students in grades 9-12. The school serves approximately 1,057 students each year, and about 90% of the staff employed at the school are certified, including principal Curtis Stevens. The school colors are green, gold, and white. The school mascot is the Cougar. Students who live South of Republic Avenue attend South High. The athletic teams offered at Salina South are varied and compete in the 5A division according to the KSHSAA.
History
Salina South High School was established in 1971 due to overcrowding at Salina Central High School. The school was selected as a Blue Ribbon School in 1984. The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes public and private schools which perform at high levels or have made significant academic improvements. The school has additionally been through multiple renovations, with the most recent being in 2016-18.
School Layout
Salina South was formerly a brown building distinctly recognized by its three "pods". The "pod" design featured doorless classrooms with faux walls and very few windows. In April 2014, a $110 million bond was approved which would fund a whole new school, due to the "pods" being in poor condition. The new building was built in 3 phases from 2016-2018 as part of a district wide remodeling of schools. The new building contains many windows, increased security, larger classrooms, a school store, a coffee bar, and a more modern design from the old "pod" design.
2006 - The debate team qualified a Policy Debate Team for the National Forensics League National Tournament for the first time since 1995. This same team, composed of Bret Higgins and Josh Harzman won the 5A 2-Speaker Debate State Tournament. The same year Bret Higgins won the 5A Lincoln-Douglas Debate State Championship.
2007 - The Salina South Theatre department's production of Guys and Dolls received national recognition from USA Weekend's High School Musical Showstopper as one of the top high school productions in America.
1984-2005 - The school marching band, the Salina South Marching Cougars, received 21 straight "Superior" ratings for their field performances at the annual Central States Marching Festival held at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas under the leadership of director Randall Fillmore.
