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Edgewater High School
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Edgewater High School is a public secondary school located in the College Park section of Orlando, Florida. It is operated by the Orange County Public Schools system. The athletic teams are known as the Fighting Eagles, with colors red and white.
Key Information
History
[edit]In 1950, the School Board of Orange County, Florida, unveiled plans to build two new high schools in Orlando. These two schools were built from the same architectural plans and both were opened on the same day, Tuesday, September 2, 1952. The first was named William R. Boone High School and the second was named Edgewater High School. Boone was named for William R. Boone, a long-serving principal of the original Orlando High School (which is now Howard Middle School, on Robinson Street in downtown Orlando, near Lake Eola). The campuses of Boone and Edgewater contained identical buildings, but their arrangement on each campus was different. Edgewater's first principal was Mr. Orville R. Davis, a veteran of Orange County Public Schools, who was once the principal of the original Memorial Junior High School (now Memorial Middle School), also in Orlando.
Edgewater and Boone were originally to be named North and South High Schools, respectively. However, William R. Boone, who was to be principal of South, died the summer before the schools opened. South High was renamed in his memory. North High was then named for the road it was built beside, Edgewater Drive.
Edgewater High School has recently been renovated into a three-story facility on the land which previously held mobile homes to the North of the old campus, most of which will be destroyed to create a new sports field. The remaining buildings will undergo a refurbishment to house freshmen and will be available by the start of the 2011–2012 school year. The new facility is mostly indoors to allow for overall protection from the elements and a more secure campus, and uses new technology such as new Promethean boards and an all new auditorium. Students were given access to the facility on the first day back to class in 2011 after winter break, and both staff and students are currently working on adjusting to the new facility.
Demographics
[edit]The demographic breakdown of the 2,034 students enrolled in 2016–17 was as follows:
Gender
- Male – 53.4%
- Female – 46.6%
Race and Ethnicity
- Black or African American – 49.5%
- White – 26.9%
- Hispanic and Latino – 18.6%
- Two or More Races – 2.4%
- Asian – 2.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native – 0.2%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander – 0.1%
63.4% of the students were eligible for free or reduced price lunch. Edgewater High School is a Title I school.
Athletics
[edit]Edgewater High School has various varsity sports teams, including baseball, basketball, bowling, cheering, cross country, flag football, football, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.
State Championships
Notable alumni
[edit]This list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (June 2025) |
- CJ Baxter (2023), college football running back for the Texas Longhorns[5]
- Mike Brewster, former NFL and currently a coach.
- Greg Cleveland (1982), former NFL football player[6]
- Marquis Daniels (1999 - transferred), former NBA basketball player and current coach for Auburn Tigers[7]
- Howie Dorough, singer-songwriter[citation needed]
- Mike Freeman (2006), baseball player[8]
- Davis Gaines (1972), actor[9]
- RJ Harvey (2019),[10] NFL football running back for the Denver Broncos
- John Hunt, former NFL football player
- Kenny Ingram (2004), former NFL player and coach[11]
- Karl Joseph (2012), NFL football player[12]
- Sharon Lechter, author[13]
- Norm Lewis (1981), actor[14]
- Quincy McDuffie (2009), football player[15]
- Alexis Prince (2012),[16] WNBA basketball player
- Anfernee Simons (2018), NBA basketball player[17]
- Sharon Vaughn, singer-songwriter[18][failed verification]
- Darius Washington Jr. (2004), basketball player[19]
- Mike Sims-Walker, former NFL football player
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Edgewater High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ Boys Basketball 2018–19 Championship Records (PDF). Florida High School Athletic Association. October 5, 2018. pp. 4, 6. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ Girls Basketball 2017–18 Championship Records (PDF). Florida High School Athletic Association. March 6, 2018. p. 4. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ Boys Cross Country 2018–19 Championship Records (PDF). Florida High School Athletic Association. October 5, 2018. p. 3. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ "Eyes of Texas on Edgewater's CJ Baxter". Orlando Sentinel. November 22, 2023.
- ^ Carter, Scott (February 19, 2019). "Carter's Corner: Remembering Greg Cleveland". Florida Gators. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ Buchalter, Bill (March 19, 1998). "Edgewater Standout Daniels Moves North". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ^ "Mike Freeman Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2025.(Note: May need to click "View More Bio Info+" to see some information.)
- ^ Palm, Matthew J. (April 28, 2011). "Davis Gaines goes back to school". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ Herring, Troy (September 21, 2018). "RJ Harvey leads the Eagles forward". West Orange Times & Observer.
- ^ "Kenny Ingram Recruiting". 247sports.com.
- ^ Hays, Chris (July 21, 2019). "Former Edgewater star Karl Joseph grateful he's living NFL dream with Oakland Raiders". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ "2016 Hall of Fame". edgewaterfoundation.com. February 12, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ Palm, Matthew J. (April 12, 2014). "Norm Lewis inducted into Edgewater High Hall of Fame in Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
Lewis, [...] was a graduate of the Edgewater class of 1981.
- ^ "Edgewater's Quincy McDuffie a true success story". News 13. December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alexis Prince Bio". baylorbears.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Anfernee Simons' High School Basketball Stats". MaxPreps.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ "Sharon Vaughn, Induction Year 2019". Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ "Darius Washington, Jr". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
External links
[edit]Edgewater High School
View on GrokipediaEstablished in 1952 through the division of Orlando High School, it was founded under the leadership of first principal O.R. Davis, who helped establish its reputation as an academic institution.[3]
The school maintains a diverse student body, with about 51% of students identified as economically disadvantaged and demographics including 48.5% Black, 25.5% White, 20.2% Hispanic, and smaller percentages of Asian, multiracial, and other groups; it operates with a student-teacher ratio of 23:1.[2][1]
Edgewater offers nationally recognized magnet programs, including the Engineering, Science, and Technology (EST) Magnet Program and the Advanced Placement (AP) Academy, alongside a 97% graduation rate and 52% student participation in AP exams.[3][2]
Ranked 233rd among Florida high schools, it emphasizes academic excellence, with proficiency rates of 44% in reading, 22% in mathematics, and 56% in science, and a College Readiness Index score of 35.5 out of 100.[2]
The school's mascot is Eddie the Eagle, with red as the primary color, and it supports robust programs in arts, athletics, and faculty development through the Edgewater High School Foundation, established in 1990 to fund initiatives beyond public resources.[3][4]
History
Founding and Early Years
Edgewater High School was established in 1952 as part of Orlando's post-World War II educational expansion, driven by rapid population growth that overcrowded the existing Orlando High School.[3] The Orange County School Board decided to divide Orlando High School's students and resources into two new institutions to better serve the expanding community, leading to the creation of Edgewater High School for the northern district and William R. Boone High School for the southern district.[5] This split addressed the need for more capacity, as Orlando High, built in 1927, could no longer accommodate the influx of students from the booming postwar suburbs. The school officially opened on September 2, 1952, initially planned under the name North Orlando High School but renamed Edgewater High School to reflect its location along Edgewater Drive in the College Park neighborhood.[6] Under the leadership of its first principal, Orville R. Davis—a veteran educator previously at Memorial Junior High—Edgewater began operations by drawing students from the northern half of Orlando High's enrollment, establishing a foundational curriculum focused on core academics and vocational preparation to meet the needs of the diverse local population.[7] Davis emphasized high standards from the outset, shaping the school's early reputation as an academic powerhouse within the Orange County Public Schools system.[3] From its inception, Edgewater adopted red and white as its official colors and the Eagles as its mascot, symbols chosen to inspire school spirit and unity among the inaugural student body.[4] These traditions quickly took root, fostering a sense of identity during the school's formative years and contributing to early extracurricular activities. The division from Orlando High also sparked an immediate football rivalry with Boone High School, which has persisted as one of Central Florida's most enduring high school competitions.[8]Renovations and Developments
In the 1970s, Edgewater High School underwent significant changes as part of Orange County Public Schools' broader desegregation efforts, prompted by federal court orders following the 1970 Supreme Court ruling in Carter v. West Feliciana Parish School Board that mandated the end of dual school systems based on race.[9] These efforts included rezoning attendance boundaries, implementing busing programs, and adjusting school policies to promote racial integration, transforming Edgewater from a predominantly white institution into a more diverse environment while addressing inequities in resource allocation and student access.[10] The desegregation initiatives influenced long-term policies, such as the introduction of magnet programs district-wide in 1981 to voluntarily attract a balanced student body and sustain integration without relying solely on mandatory transportation.[11] The Edgewater High School Foundation was established on February 5, 1990, as a nonprofit organization by parents, faculty, alumni, and community members to provide supplemental funding for school enhancements beyond state and district budgets.[12] Since its inception, the foundation has supported capital projects, scholarships, and programmatic developments, raising over $500,000 by 2023 to bolster educational opportunities and infrastructure improvements at the school.[13] During the 1990s, Edgewater introduced its Engineering, Science, and Technology (EST) Magnet Program, initiated around 1988 under Principal Bob Williams to leverage the school's academic strengths and offer rigorous coursework in engineering, science, and related fields, earning national recognition for its focus on hands-on learning and industry certifications.[14] This program marked a key development in the school's evolution toward specialized educational pathways, aligning with district efforts to enhance post-desegregation diversity and academic excellence. In the 2000s and into the 2010s, additional magnet initiatives expanded these offerings, including the Center for Future Educators launched in 2018, which prepares students for teaching careers through practical experiences and affiliations with the Florida Future Educators of America.[15] A major physical transformation occurred with the comprehensive renovation and expansion project completed in 2011, converting the original 1952 campus into a modern three-story facility spanning 345,000 square feet of new construction and 93,000 square feet of renovated space on a 45-acre site, designed by CT Hsu + Associates for an open layout with enhanced natural light and accessibility.[16] The $82.7 million initiative, completed $28 million under budget due to favorable construction costs, integrated advanced technology such as interactive whiteboards with internet and touch capabilities in classrooms, alongside dedicated spaces for computer programming, TV production studios, and a soundproof band room.[16] Students transitioned to the new buildings on January 3, 2011, increasing capacity to approximately 2,450 while modernizing infrastructure for contemporary learning needs.[17] Throughout the 2010s, further expansions focused on career-oriented facilities, including the addition of specialized labs supporting programs like 3D animation, agriscience, and engineering pathways, equipped with industry-standard tools to facilitate certifications and dual enrollment opportunities aligned with workforce demands. These developments, funded in part by the Edgewater High School Foundation and district resources, emphasized interdisciplinary labs that integrate science, technology, and vocational training, building on the 2011 renovation to support the school's growing emphasis on STEM and professional preparation.[3]Campus and Facilities
Location and Grounds
Edgewater High School is situated at 3100 Edgewater Drive in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando, Florida, within the Orange County Public Schools district.[18][19] The campus spans an urban setting bordered by residential neighborhoods, offering proximity to downtown Orlando just a few miles south, which enhances accessibility for students commuting via major thoroughfares like Edgewater Drive and Interstate 4.[16] This strategic location along Edgewater Drive, a historically significant roadway that has served as a key connector in the city's growth since the early 20th century, influenced the school's naming upon its establishment.[20] The site was selected in 1952 amid Orlando's northward expansion to accommodate the division of the former Orlando High School into two separate institutions.[4] Environmental features on the grounds include green spaces that blend with the surrounding urban landscape, supporting outdoor activities and sustainability efforts such as those led by the school's Environmental and Sustainability Club.[21] These areas provide opportunities for student engagement in nature-based learning and recreation, contributing to the campus's role as a community hub. The College Park location strengthens ties with the local community, including partnerships with nearby businesses that sponsor school programs and events, such as the Edgewater High School Foundation's collaborations with Orlando Watch Company and participation in neighborhood initiatives like the Taste of College Park.[22][23]Buildings and Infrastructure
The main academic building at Edgewater High School is a three-story structure featuring classroom wings organized along a central axis, connected by a day-lit three-storey atrium that serves as an internalized academic spine.[24] This facility, completed as part of the 2011 renovation and expansion project, houses core academic spaces including classrooms, administrative offices, and collaborative areas, spanning approximately 323,000 square feet of new construction integrated with renovated sections.[17][16] Specialized facilities within the campus include dedicated spaces for science and engineering, such as labs equipped for technology testing, CAD design, animation, and web development to support the school's magnet programs.[17] The Agricultural Education Center, established in the late 2010s, features a teaching greenhouse, outdoor educational spaces, and demonstration food cultivation areas for horticulture science programs.[25][26] The performing arts infrastructure features a 650-seat auditorium with LED theater lighting, sound systems, and projection capabilities, designed as a state-of-the-art venue for theatrical productions.[17][27] Athletic infrastructure is integrated across the 48-acre campus, which expanded from 29 acres through adjacent property acquisitions during the renovation.[17] Key elements include the Frank Lough Stadium for football and track, a separate soccer stadium, lacrosse and softball fields, a baseball field, the main gymnasium known as "The Nest" for indoor sports, and tennis courts.[28][4] Technology infrastructure supports district-wide connectivity with comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage, multiple computer labs outfitted with interactive smartboards, and advanced systems like video surveillance and audio enhancements throughout the buildings.[17] As a Title I school, the campus incorporates accessibility features aligned with federal guidelines, including compliant pathways and facilities to ensure equitable access for all students.[29][30] Sustainability efforts from the 2011 project emphasize energy efficiency through features such as sensor-activated lighting, a centrally controlled HVAC system with ice storage for cooling, and overall design elements that contributed to the school's recognitions in the Green Schools Recognition Program from 2023 to 2025.[17][31][32] These updates help reduce operational costs and promote environmental stewardship on campus.[17]Academics
Curriculum and Programs
Edgewater High School's core curriculum aligns with the Florida Department of Education's standards, requiring students to complete courses in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. English requirements include four credits covering English I through IV, emphasizing reading, writing, and communication skills. Mathematics mandates four credits, starting with Algebra I and Geometry, while science requires three credits, including Biology I and two additional lab-based courses. Social studies comprises three credits, encompassing U.S. History, World History, and American Government/Economics.[33][34] The school offers specialized magnet programs to cater to diverse interests and abilities. The Center for Future Educators magnet provides hands-on training for students pursuing teaching careers, including classroom observations, lesson planning, and certification preparation to explore educational pathways. The Engineering, Science, and Technology (EST) magnet focuses on emerging technologies and simulations, integrating aerospace engineering concepts developed in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The Gifted Academy serves advanced learners through a tailored curriculum that accelerates core subjects and incorporates enrichment activities to challenge intellectual potential.[15][35][36][37] Advanced academic options expand beyond the core, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects like calculus, biology, and U.S. history, allowing students to earn college credit upon exam success. Dual enrollment opportunities with Orange Technical College enable high school students to take postsecondary courses in vocational fields. Career pathways emphasize practical skills in areas such as business management, nursing assistance, and engineering design, often culminating in industry certifications.[4][38][39] To graduate, students must earn 24 credits, including the core subjects, one credit in physical education, one in fine or performing arts, and eight electives to support individualized interests. As a Title I school, Edgewater receives federal funding that supports equitable access to these programs and resources. The curriculum integrates Project Lead The Way (PLTW) in the EST magnet, offering a sequence of engineering courses that build skills in design, robotics, and problem-solving through hands-on projects.[33][29][36][40]Academic Performance
Edgewater High School is ranked 233rd among high schools in Florida by U.S. News & World Report, placing it in the top half of the state's public institutions based on factors including state assessment performance, graduation rates, and college readiness metrics.[2] The school received an "A" grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024-2025 school year, its first since 2011, reflecting improvements in overall accountability measures including learning gains, despite ongoing challenges in student achievement.[41] On state assessments under the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), in the 2023-24 school year, Edgewater students demonstrated proficiency rates below state averages, with 44% proficient in reading, 22% in mathematics, and 56% in science.[2] These figures indicated particular gaps in math performance, where proficiency lagged significantly behind the statewide average of approximately 52%.[42] For the 2024-25 school year, proficiency rates improved, with reading below 60%, mathematics (algebra and geometry) below 50% (including 41% in Algebra 1), and these gains contributing to the A grade, though still below state averages such as 60% for Algebra 1 statewide.[41][43] The school's Advanced Placement (AP) program shows moderate engagement, with 52% of students participating in at least one AP exam and 30% passing at least one, contributing to a college readiness index of 35.5 out of 100 as measured by U.S. News & World Report. This participation rate supports the school's emphasis on advanced coursework, including through its magnet programs, which help boost AP enrollment among qualified students.[2] Graduation rates at Edgewater have remained strong and stable, reaching 97% in the most recent cohort, which exceeds the state average of 89.7%.[2] Historical trends show rates fluctuating between 88% and 96.7% over the past several years, with consistent performance across subgroups.[43] As a Title I school serving a student body where 51% are economically disadvantaged, Edgewater exhibits performance disparities tied to socioeconomic factors, with overall proficiency rates reflecting broader challenges faced by underserved subgroups.[44][2] For instance, while graduation rates are high across economic categories (95.4% for economically disadvantaged students versus 96.7% overall), assessment proficiency tends to be lower among these groups compared to their more affluent peers, underscoring the impact of resource inequities.[45]Student Body
Enrollment Trends
Edgewater High School's enrollment has grown substantially since its establishment in 1952, when it absorbed students from the former Orlando High School to serve the expanding College Park area and surrounding communities. By the 2000s, the student body had increased to over 2,000, reflecting broader population growth in Orange County, before stabilizing in recent years.[4][42] In the 2023-2024 school year, the school enrolled approximately 2,011 students in grades 9 through 12. Enrollment has remained relatively flat over the past five years, with minor fluctuations amid district-wide challenges such as rezoning adjustments and increased competition from voucher programs. The grade distribution is roughly even, supporting a balanced progression through high school, and includes structured orientation processes for incoming freshmen to facilitate smooth transitions.[1][42][46]| Grade | Number of Students (2023-2024) |
|---|---|
| 9 | 520 |
| 10 | 552 |
| 11 | 486 |
| 12 | 453 |

