Malcolm Shabazz City High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malcolm Shabazz City High School |
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| Address | |
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1601 N Sherman Avenue
, 53704
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| Coordinates | 43°07′04″N 89°21′47″W / 43.117756°N 89.362965°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Established | 1971 |
| School district | Madison Metropolitan School District |
| Principal | Nathan O’Shaughnessy |
| Faculty | 12 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Number of students | 114 (2023-2024) |
Malcolm Shabazz City High School is a special kind of public high school in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. It's known as an "alternative" school. This means it offers a different way of learning compared to traditional high schools. The school is named after a famous activist, Malcolm X, who was also known as Malcolm Shabazz.
The school first opened its doors in 1971 as Malcolm Shabazz High School. Later, in 1979, it joined with another school called City High School, which started in 1972. That's how it got its current name, Malcolm Shabazz City High School. You can find the school at 1601 N Sherman Ave., in the same building as Madison's Sherman Middle School.
Shabazz is famous for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Students often call teachers and even the principal by their first names! The school really focuses on helping each student be themselves and encourages them to get involved in social and political issues. One former teacher, Gene Delcourt, explained that Shabazz was created to be different. It wasn't just for students who were struggling. Instead, it was for students who wanted to learn things that regular schools might not teach. Teachers at Shabazz teach what they are truly passionate about.
How to Join Malcolm Shabazz City High School
If you want to attend Shabazz, you need to apply to get in. New students are welcomed at the start of each school semester.
What You Learn at Shabazz
Shabazz uses a semester schedule, which means the school year is divided into two main parts. They offer many interesting classes. Some examples include:
- The First Amendment (a social studies class about your rights)
- Science of Global Warming (a science class about climate change)
- Rap as Poetry (an English class that looks at rap music as a form of poetry)
- American Sign Language (a class where you learn to communicate using signs)
All new students must take a social studies class called "Mirrors." This class helps students understand and prevent unfair treatment of others.
Students at Shabazz can also take classes at their "home school." This is their regular neighborhood school within the Madison Metropolitan School District. This way, students can choose courses from both schools.
Helping the Community Through Service-Learning
Shabazz is a leader in something called "service-learning." This means students learn by helping others and their community. Service-learning projects are part of many classes.
For example, in a social studies class called "Road to Indian Country," students learn about Native Americans today. This class includes a week-long trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to help out there. Another example is the "Project Green Teen" series of classes. These classes focus on understanding freshwater environments and helping to restore nature.
