Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology

Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology

Motto	"We came here as strangers, We became friends, and we will be leaving with memories that will never end. We are the Class of 2010!"
Type	High School
Established	1969 (Became Peterson Academies in 1997)
Principal	Cathy Barnes
Students	1,250
Location	Jacksonville , Florida , USA
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and Silver
Nickname	Frank H., Peterson, or Frankie Pete
Mascot	Silver Eagles
Website	FHP website

Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology is a public, magnet high school located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school is based around Arts and Technology-based programs, such as Commercial Arts, Graphic Design, Computer programming Television Production, Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Aviation Technology, Childcare as well as a program for Agriculture Science.

Students at Peterson earn an Industry Certificate of Completion as well as a High School Diploma. Peterson Academies also offers some 20+ Advanced Placement courses. Frank H. Peterson is a Duval County Career and College Preparatory High School, One of only two in the county.

Majors

Majors at Peterson include:

Communications Academy: The sub-categories under the "Communications" umbrella at Frank H. Peterson are Television Production, Graphic Design, Commercial Arts, and Computer Programming.

Aviation Academy: The Aviation Academy teaches aircraft design and maintenance, flight technology, and engineering.

Culinary Arts Academy: The Culinary Arts Academy teaches students food service, food preparation, and restaurant hospitality.

Automotive Technology Academy: Students in the Automotive Technology Academy study to become Automotive Technicians and Engineers.

Early Childhood Education Academy: The Childhood Development Academy teaches childcare as well as child development (psychological as well as physical.)

Cosmetology Academy: The Cosmetology department teaches cosmetology skills - hair cutting, make-up, waxing, and all the basics in salon care.

Student body

Students are 44% African American, 39% Caucasian, 10% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 3% Mixed. Peterson Academy has an average enrollment of 1,200 students in grades 9 - 12.

Notable Alumni

The school to date has no notable alumni.

Extra-curricular activities

The high school offers several extra-curricular activities including Student Government, Student Council, Yearbook, Guitar Club, Anime Club, Computer and Radio Technology Club, Drama Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Beta Club, Cosmetology Club, Spanish Club, Rocketry Club, Martial Arts Club, Water Sports Club, Bible Club, Cheerleading, Dance Team, Communities in Schools, SkillsUSA (formerly V.I.C.A.), Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Peterson Roses, Silver Eagle Ambassadors, and men’s and women’s Basketball Teams. The school is currently awaiting approval from the Florida High School Athletic Association to start a football team. After approval it will be at least 2 years before one will be started.

History

The school was originally built as the Westside Skills Center in 1969. Students from neighborhood high schools attended the Skills Center for half-day programs where they studied vocational programs and attended their neighborhood high schools for standard academic classes. The Skills Center was closed and the school converted to a college preparatory Magnet School in 1999 and no longer offered programs to students who attended other schools.

From 1993 to 1994, there were only 2 graduating classes for a high school diploma.

Standards

Students are accepted in the Peterson on a lottery system and must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in order to remain enrolled. Peterson, like all public schools in the state of Florida, is held to the FCAT Testing Standard and is rated as an A and B school.

External links

• Frank H. Peterson Website