Alvin C. York Institute facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alvin C. York Institute
Address
701 North Main Street Jamestown , Tennessee 38556 USA
Information
School type	State Public high school
Motto	Prepare and Excel
Established	1926
Founder	Alvin C. York
Oversight	Tennessee Department of Education
Superintendent	Joseph Miller
Dean	Derwin Wright
Administrator	Jason Tompkins
Staff	≈60
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	≈500
Hours in school day	7
Campus	Rural
Campus size	400 acres (160 ha)
Color(s)	Purple      Gold
Slogan	Home of the Dragons
Mascot	Dragon
Accreditation	Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
USNWR ranking	#105
Newspaper	Pine Needles
Yearbook	Mountaineer
Dedication:	To the end that my people of Pall Mall and of Fentress County and the boys and girls of this mountainous section may enjoy the liberating influences and educational advantages which were denied me, I dedicate this institution and my life to its perpetuation, and seek from the American people support in keeping with the great need. -- Sgt. Alvin C. York
Website	http://www2.york.k12.tn.us/
Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
The older section of York Institute
Location in Tennessee Show map of Tennessee Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Area	8 acres (3.2 ha)
Built	1927 (1927)
Architectural style	Classical Revival
MPS	Fentress County MPS
NRHP reference No.	91001378
Added to NRHP	September 20, 1991

Alvin C. York Institute, also known as York Institute, is a public high school located in Jamestown, Tennessee. It was started in 1926 by World War I hero Alvin York. He wanted to create a school for kids in rural areas.

What makes York Institute special is that it's the only public high school in the USA that is fully funded and run by a state government. Its motto is Prepare and Excel, and its mascot is the Dragon.

School History

Why Was York Institute Founded?

Alvin C. York, a famous war hero, wanted to help kids in his home county of Fentress. He saw that many rural children did not have the chance to get a high school education. So, he decided to build a school for them.

How Did the School Get Started?

Starting in 1919, Alvin York traveled across the United States to raise money. People knew him as a war hero, which helped him get public attention. He raised $10,000 from donations. The state of Tennessee also gave $50,000, and Fentress County promised another $50,000.

Classes at the school began in 1929. The school was private at first. However, during the Great Depression, it became hard to keep the school running. In 1937, York decided to give the school to the state of Tennessee. The state still runs it today as a public school. It serves as a lasting reminder of Alvin York's dedication.

Exploring the Campus

What Makes the Campus Unique?

York Institute has a very large campus, covering over 400 acres. Some say it's the biggest public high school campus in the world! The campus is also a special wildlife area. It has a working farm where students can learn about farming. They even help manage a group of Limousin cattle.

There are five ponds on campus. These ponds are used for watering livestock, fishing, and as homes for waterfowl.

School Buildings and Facilities

The school has several important buildings. These include the Main Administration Building, the Social Sciences Building, and the Science Building. There is also the Alvin C. York JROTC Building and the Fentress County Vocational Training Center.

The Jamestown Community Center and Jamestown Community Park are also located nearby on school land.

The Historic Original Building

The first main building, built in 1928, is a very important part of the school's history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special historic site.

A new main building was built in the 1980s. The old building then started to fall apart. In 2005, it was listed as one of the state's "most endangered" historic places.

In 2008, there was a plan to tear it down. But an agreement was made to save and restore it. By 2010, work had begun to fix up the historic building.

What Students Learn

Academic Programs

York Institute teaches students from grades 9 through 12. The school uses a special "block schedule." This means each semester (fall and spring) is split into five parts. Students take five classes in each part.

Vocational Training

The school also offers many hands-on vocational programs. These include:

• Agriculture
• Automotive technology
• Residential construction
• Metal technology
• Nursing
• Accounting
• Information management systems

York Institute also works with Roane State Community College. This allows students to take college-level classes for free! They can earn both high school and college credits. Classes include College Algebra, American History, English, Psychology, and Spanish. Students can earn up to two years of college credit this way.

Special Certifications

Students can also get a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification for free. After one semester of classes and practice, they can apply for their CNA license. The school also has a special area for the Tennessee Technological Center to offer Welding courses.

Community Learning Programs

York Institute also has programs for the whole community. These programs offer classes, events, and resources for free. The main goal is to get parents and community members involved in learning. It helps people get to know the school their children attend. These classes can be basic or even college-level. Funding for this program comes from Union Bank of Jamestown.

Clubs and Activities

Students at York Institute can join many different clubs and organizations:

Sports Teams

York Institute offers many sports for students:

• Football
• Boys & Girls Basketball
• Baseball
• Softball
• Boys & Girls Soccer
• Boys & Girls Track
• Boys & Girls Bowling
• Boys & Girls Golf
• Cross Country

Awards and Recognition

York Institute has received several honors:

• In 1989, it was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
• In 1992, Redbook magazine called it one of "America's Best Schools."
• It also won an award in 2006 for its character education program.

Famous Alumni

Some notable people who went to York Institute include:

• Roger Crouch, an astronaut
• Lincoln Davis, a U.S. Congressman

Images for kids

• 

  The main administration building today, built in 1980.