Leodis V. McDaniel High School explained

Leodis V. McDaniel High School
Streetaddress:2735 Northeast 82nd Avenue
County:(Multnomah County)
Zipcode:97220
Country:United States
Coordinates:45.5422°N -122.5799°W
Principal:Adam Skyles[1]
Grades:9–12
Students:1,440 (2022-2023)[2]
Teaching Staff:91.80 (FTE)
Ratio:15.69
Colors:Columbia Blue and Red
Team Name:Mountain Lions
Rival:Grant High School
Opened:1957
Newspaper:The Oracle
Feeder Schools:Roseway Heights Middle School
Harrison Park Middle School
Faubion K-8
Vernon K-8

Leodis V. McDaniel High School, commonly referred to as McDaniel High School (MHS), and formerly Madison High School, is a public high school located in Portland, Oregon, United States. The school serves neighborhood students and many transfer students in grades 9–12.

History

The high school was founded in 1957, and was originally named after Founding Father James Madison, the fourth US President and co-author of the Constitution. Construction on the campus began in 1955.[3] Teacher Leodis V. McDaniel became the principal of the school in 1983, and remained until his death in 1987.[4] On June 29, 2004, the school was damaged by fire, probably caused by fireworks.[5]

Two movies have been filmed at the school: Paranoid Park (2007) and Twilight (2008). The school was renovated in 2019-2021 as part of a $790 million bond measured passed in 2017. Classes took place at the former John Marshall High School in Portland's Lents neighborhood during the renovation.[6] During the renovations, the school board began a process to re-name the school, as Madison had been a slaveholder.[4] On February 24, 2021, Portland Public School Board voted to rename Madison High School after Leodis V. McDaniel, a former principal of the school who was well respected in the community.[7] In April 2021, the school mascot was changed from the Senators to the Mountain Lions.[8]

Curriculum

McDaniel High School offers a full range of college preparatory core content classes as well as unique elective options in the areas of mathematics, performing & visual arts, science, social science, psychology, craftsmanship, and world languages. Students may challenge themselves by enrolling in Advanced Placement and dual credit courses. The latter are taught by McDaniel faculty who work in partnership with Portland Community College.[9]

Athletics

McDaniel High School athletic teams compete in the OSAA 6A-1 Portland Interscholastic League, the highest division and league in the OSAA.

State Championships[10]

(†=Tied with one or more schools)

Notable alumni

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McDaniel.
  2. Web site: School Detail for Leodis V. McDaniel High School. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). February 8, 2024.
  3. News: Madison High Remodel Begins . 23 August 2022 . portlandobserver.com . June 19, 2019.
  4. Rojas . Cristina . His Good Name . Portland State Magazine . October 13, 2021 . 23 August 2022 . Portland State University.
  5. News: Previous Portland-area school fires. 2009-11-10. The Oregonian. 2009-11-11.
  6. Web site: Madison High School Remodel Begins. April 5, 2017. Portland Public Schools. July 8, 2017.
  7. News: Portland School Board Votes to Rename Madison High School After Local Black Educator Leodis V. McDaniel . Willamette Week . February 24, 2021 . Matthew Singer.
  8. News: Carson . Teresa . McDaniel High mascot will be Mountain Lions . 23 August 2022 . Portland Tribune . April 13, 2021 . en-us.
  9. Web site: About Madison..
  10. Web site: Records & Archives.
  11. News: Wise Unnoticed Hero of Phillies. 1964-08-27. UPI. The Register-Guard. 2010-01-23.