South Dade Senior High School
South Dade Senior High School
South Dade Senior High School, located in Homestead, Florida, is a prominent public magnet school within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Established in 1953, the school has a rich history and offers a diverse range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and athletic opportunities.
History and Campus Development
Founded in 1953, South Dade Senior High School was created by consolidating the original Homestead High School with the agricultural program and grades 9–12 of the Redland Farm Life School. The school has undergone significant transformations over the decades. After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the school building was repaired, and a new science wing was opened in 1995. In April 2008, a state-of-the-art facility spanning over 420,000 square feet was inaugurated, providing modern amenities to students and staff.
Academic Programs and Magnet Academies
The school is structured into several magnet academies, each focusing on specific fields:
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Academy of Professional Services: Includes programs in Agritechnology & Business Systems, Landscape Design Architecture, Sports & Recreational Turf Management, Automotive Service Technology, and Materials & Processing Technology.
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Academy of International Finance, Business & Technology: Offers courses in Information Technology, Web Design Services, Accounting Operations, Business Supervision & Management, and Electronic Business Enterprise.
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Academy of Sports, Nutrition & Health Science: Features programs in Sports Administration, Sports Medicine, Nursing Assisting, Childcare, Culinary Arts, and Medical Assisting.
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Academy of Visual & Performing Arts: Provides instruction in Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Chorus, Orchestra, Dance, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts.
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Academy of Law Studies & Public Safety: Encompasses Criminal Justice & Legal Services, Law Enforcement & Custom Operations, JROTC, and Firefighter training.
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Academy of International Baccalaureate (IB): Offers the IB Diploma Program with language studies in French, Italian, and Spanish.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program:
The school provides a robust Advanced Placement program, offering 22 different AP courses across various disciplines:
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Arts: Art History, 2-D Art and Design
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English: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition
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History & Social Sciences: Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Psychology, United States Government & Politics, United States History, World History:
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Math & Computer Sciences: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Pre-Calculus, Statistics
These courses are designed to prepare students for college-level work and offer the opportunity to earn college credit.
Extracurricular Activities and Clubs: South Dade Senior High School
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Academic and Honor Societies: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Computer Science Honor Society
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Special Interest Groups: Chess Club, BUCTV (school TV production), Dance Team, Dashing Dolls
These extracurricular activities provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, engage with peers, and explore personal interests.
Athletics and Achievements
Athletics play a significant role in the school's culture, with various sports teams achieving notable success:
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Wrestling: State champions in multiple years, including 1995–1997, 1999–2001, 2003, 2008, and consecutively from 2013 to 2024.
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Football: State champions in 2013.
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Baseball: State champions in 2014.
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Bowling: Girls' team won the state championship in 2003.
Notable Alumni: South Dade Senior High School
South Dade Senior High School has produced several distinguished alumni who have excelled in various fields:
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Marcus Hudson: Former NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers.
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Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste: NFL player for the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Alek Manoah: MLB pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, 2019 MLB Draft #11 overall selection.
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Jose 'Tony' Parrilla: Three-time NCAA 800m champion and Olympian in 1992 and 1996.
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Victoria Principal: Actress known for her role as Pamela Barnes Ewing on the TV show "Dallas.
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Kerry Reed: Professional football player for the BC Lions.
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James Wiggins: NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals.
Conclusion
South Dade Senior High School stands as a beacon of academic excellence and community engagement in South Florida. With its diverse programs, dedicated staff, and a commitment to student success, the school continues to prepare students for higher education and beyond.
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