Southern High School (Harwood, Maryland)

This article is about the high school in Harwood, Maryland. For other uses, see Southern High School (disambiguation).

Southern High School is a high school located in Harwood, Maryland, U.S., in Anne Arundel County. The school is operated by Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Southern was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 2009.^[4] They recently won the 2A State Lacrosse Championship 20–7, tying the record for most goals scored in a state championship game in Maryland state history. Also known as a great unified sports program that seeks participation and inclusion of every one.^[5]

Southern High School
Address
4400 Solomons Island Road Harwood , Maryland United States
Coordinates	38°52′6″N 76°37′10″W
Information
Type	Public secondary
Established	1968
Principal	Angela Hopkins[1]
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	1,063 (Fall 2016)[2]
Campus	Rural fringe[3]
Color(s)	Blue and gold
Mascot	Bulldog
Website	http://www.southernhigh.org/

Academics and rankings

Southern High School is one of two public high schools in Anne Arundel County to earn both a National and Maryland Blue Ribbon Award, the other being Severna Park High School.

In 2019, US News ranked Southern High School among the top 25 high schools in the Baltimore metro area, which included a ranking of public high schools in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Howard County, Harford County, and Queen Anne's County.^[6]

Southern High School offers 26 AP courses, exceeding the state average of 18 and the county average of 25.^[7]

History

In 1920, a grammar and secondary school was established in Tracys Landing, which would later be known as Southern High School. The school's first principal was Mr. Oscar Webster. In 1933, a new Southern High School was constructed in Lothian.

During the late 1940s, the school expanded with the addition of an agriculture shop, multiple classrooms, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium. By the early 1950s, it had evolved into Southern Junior-Senior High School, serving around 300 students. In 1952, Southern introduced its first-ever mascot. The Bulldog was selected for its representation of loyalty, determination, and the will to win.^[8] In 2008, the school received a Maryland Blue Ribbon award and in 2009 won a National Blue Ribbon School award.^[9]

Notable alumni

• Dylan Behler, member of Maryland House of Delegates^[10][11]
• Phillip D. Bissett, former member of Maryland House of Delegates^[12]
• Dale Castro, former football player and coach^[13]
• Brothers Osborne, Country Music Award-winning duo. Brothers John and TJ graduated in 2000 and 2002 respectively.^[14]