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Coordinates: 41°22′39″N 81°26′26″W / 41.37750°N 81.44056°W / 41.37750; -81.44056
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Solon High School
Solon High School Comets logo
Address
Map
33600 Inwood Road

Solon
,
Ohio
44139

United States
Coordinates41°22′39″N 81°26′26″W / 41.37750°N 81.44056°W / 41.37750; -81.44056
Information
TypePublic
Established1898
School districtSolon City School District
PrincipalErin Short [1]
Teaching staff85.45 (FTE)[2]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,478 (2023)[2]
Student to teacher ratio19.17[2]
Color(s)  Navy Blue
  White
  Gold[1]
Athletics conferenceSuburban League
Team nameComets[1]
RivalTwinsburg High School
NewspaperThe SHS Courier
Websitewww.solonschools.org/shs

Solon High School, founded in 1898, is a public high school located in Solon, Ohio, a southeastern suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 15th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States.

It comprises grades 9 through 12 and is the only high school in the Solon City School District, which also includes Solon and Orchard Middle Schools, three elementary schools: Lewis, Parkside and Roxbury, and a preschool, Regano. Solon High School's student body is approximately 1,500 students while the faculty roster includes approximately 200 teachers, administrators, and staff.[3] Erin Short currently serves as principal.[4]

Academics

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Solon High School

Solon High School and the entire Solon City School District consistently rank among the best schools in Ohio.[5] In 2021, the Solon School District was named the best Public School District in America by the community and academic rating organization Niche.com. That same year, Solon High School was listed as #181 on Niche's list of America's Best Public High Schools and #3 Best Public High School in Ohio.[6] The school was given a Gold Ranking and listed as #211 by U.S. News & World Report and #7 in Ohio.[7]

Solon High School is one of few schools to have received Blue Ribbon awards twice, both in 1991 and 2009.[8][9]

Solon High School students are perennially recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. The class of 2021 had 19 Solon High School students named as National Merit Finalists and 14 Commended Students, while the class of 2022 had 34 Semi-Finalists and 16 Commended students.[10] This was the highest number in Ohio.[11]

In 2013, Solon High School was awarded the prestigious Red Quill Award from the ACT organization for the sixth consecutive year, and the Red Quill Legacy Award for the second consecutive year, for excellent overall student scores on the ACT (Test).[3] Solon was the only Ohio school to receive the award and one of 21 in the Midwest.[12]


Students are also often recognized for their performance on Advanced Placement Exams. Solon has over a 90% pass rate,[3] and currently offers 27 AP courses.[13] The school has had many students recognized for number of exams taken and high average scores as AP Scholars[14] and others for being members of the less than 0.005% that have received perfect scores on their exams.[15][16]

Athletics

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The Solon Comets' athletic programs compete in the Suburban League against other local area high schools. Solon's high school sports rivals include Twinsburg High School, Hudson High School, Mentor High School, and Mayfield High School.

Solon's mascot is the comet and its colors are blue and white.[1] The school's fight song is "We Fight with the Might of the Blue, Gold, and White."

State championships

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Academic teams

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Solon High School has many academic teams, including Science Olympiad, Academic Challenge, Mock Trial, Speech and Debate, Model United Nations, and Future Problem Solvers. Many of these teams have previously placed in tournaments at the state and national level.

Academic Challenge

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The Solon High School Academic Challenge team has competed in the National Academic Quiz Tournaments High School National Championship for eight straight years, earning a fifth-place finish in 2015.[19] The team won the 2010 Ohio Academic Competition state championship as well as a 17th finish at the NAQT High School National Championship.[20][21]

Science Olympiad

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In 1998, Solon Science Olympiad earned its first national championship and has consistently placed at the regional, state, and national levels. Solon Science Olympiad placed second in both 2003 and 2008, and then placed first at the 2011, 2012, and 2013 National Tournaments, tying them with Troy High School[22] from Fullerton, California for the most consecutive wins (3). They attended the White House Science Fair two times and received commendations from the Ohio State Legislature as a result of these accomplishments. At the 2019 National Tournament, Solon High School placed second at the National Tournament[23] behind Troy High School.

Speech and debate

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The Solon High School Speech and Debate team is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the state of Ohio. The team placed second at the Ohio Speech and Debate Association State Tournament in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2021, and placed first in the state in 2022 for the first time in the program's history.[24] It has produced 11 individual state champions since the team's inception.[25] The team has also qualified numerous members to the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament and was designated as a School of Outstanding Distinction in 2022 for ranking among the top 10 teams in the nation.[26] Solon produced national finalists in 2017[27] and 2022[28] who ultimately placed 6th and 5th in the country respectively, as well as a world champion at the 2019 NSDA National Tournament in the World Schools Debate event, representing the North Coast (OH) district.[29]

Musical groups

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Solon High School Marching Band

Instrumental ensembles

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Solon High School has robust band, orchestral, and choral programs. Some of the funds that these programs receive come from the school-associated non-profit organization the Solon Music Parents.[30]

The school maintains a large and vibrant band program with over 300 students.[31]

During the summer and fall, all students enrolled in the school's band course perform with the full marching band. The group hosts a "Band Bash" every year,[32] during which local marching bands perform. The band has performed during halftime shows for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns, as well as performed the national anthem for the Cleveland Indians pregame.[31][33][34] There is a voluntary pep band that plays at school rallies and athletic events.

In the winter and spring, the band transitions to four concert bands, Wind Ensemble, Gold Ensemble, Blue Symphonic Band, and White Symphonic Band. All students must audition for the directors of the band. The Wind Ensemble is made up of the very top players often upperclass students, the Gold Ensemble is composed of the next most competitive players, and the rest of the students are evenly split by talent between the Blue and the White Symphonic bands. All members must participate in the Marching and Concert Band.

Solon currently has a jazz band for students to perform in, available by audition only. The Jazz band has traveled to New Orleans twice to learn about Jazz and the history of Jazz, and performed with jazz stars including Wayne Bergeron and Eddie Daniels.[35][36][37]

The orchestra has approximately 180 students and is split into two orchestras: Sinfonia and Concert Orchestra. Students interested in playing in Sinfonia must audition. Often, a handful of band members will play with the Sinfonia at concerts. Concert Orchestra is the larger orchestra.

Choirs

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There are five main choruses that comprise the Choral Program including: 9th Grade Women's (SSAA), 9th grade Men's Chorus (TTBB), Concert Choir (SATB), a cappella Choir (SATB), and Music in Motion (SATB). There are also extra-curricular ensembles such as "The Madrigals", and various female and male barbershop quartets formed by students.[38]

Music in Motion is the Solon High School show choir. The group has won numerous Grand Championships in several Midwest competitions and had an undefeated season in 2012.[39][40] Solon transitioned in recent years from hosting a non-competition Festival to a full Show Choir Invitational.[41]

Media

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The SHS Courier is the school newspaper which is written and edited by students.[42]

Solon Education Television (SETV) is a local public access television station that is broadcast from the school. The Solon High School Club, Comet Productions, staffs all the events aired. The station currently airs original programming such as SHS graduation, sports, Solon Board meetings, band, choir, and orchestra concerts, the annual Honor Society talent show, and drama club productions.

Comet Productions is open to all students with an interest in video production, for sports, concerts, and musicals.[43]

Solon Community Television was a local public-access television station that aired original programming and was broadcast from Solon High School SCTV Studio 1. Now, SCTV Studio 1 has been converted into a classroom for a communications course; the last broadcast from Studio 1 was in 2009.[44]

Notable alumni

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Controversies

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2014 Sexting Scandal

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In 2014, Solon High School experienced allegations of sexting amongst students.[45] School administrators denied that these allegations were true.[46]

Erin Short Grooming Allegation

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In March 2021, allegations surfaced of sexual relations between principal Erin Short and a former female student who graduated in 2005[47] The student, in a statement written to the Solon Police Department, claimed that Short began a “calculated cultivation of [an] inappropriate relationship” with her while she was still a student at Solon High School, detailing various acts of grooming directly by the principal. The statement went on to claim that Short pursued an intimate relationship that turned sexual after the young woman graduated. Short stated that the two had a relationship only after the former student was 19 years old and in college.[48] Short was cleared of legal wrongdoing and school administrators reinstated her employment after a period of paid administrative leave.[49][50]

Ed Kline Sexual Abuse Accusations

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As of August 2021, former district band director Ed Kline has been charged with 19 counts of gross sexual imposition, allegedly having sexually abused students as young as 12 for years.[51] Kline had resigned in June 2018 and has pled not guilty to legal charges at his arraignment.[52]

According to the indictment, the offenses took place from August 2003 until June 2014, describing Kline having "touched the breasts or buttocks of some victims" and "compelled others to touch his genitals". The grand jury found Kline to be "a sexually violent predator" in that indictment statement. [53]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Ohio High School Athletic Association member directory". Ohio High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Solon High School Profile" (PDF). Solon City School District. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Solon High School College Profile" (PDF). Solon City Schools. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  4. ^ "Program of Studies 2014–2015" (PDF). Solon City Schools. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  5. ^ "Final State Report Card Release Confirms Solon Earns Northeast Ohio's #1 Report Card grade and Excellent with Distinction rating". Solon City Schools. February 28, 2013. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  6. ^ "America's Best High Schools". Niche. 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  7. ^ "Solon High School Overview". U.S. News & World Report. 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  8. ^ Pace, Pattie (September 25, 2008). "Solon High gets A Blue Ribbon". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  9. ^ "National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Schools Recognized 1982 Through 2013" (PDF). United States Department of Education. 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  10. ^ "Solon High School Overview". 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  11. ^ "Solon High School's 34 National Merit semifinalists is highest number in Ohio". Cleveland.com. September 29, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  12. ^ Price, Kyla (February 7, 2013). "Solon only high school in Ohio to receive Red Quill Legacy Award". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  13. ^ "Solon High School Profile" (PDF). Solon City School District. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  14. ^ Price, Kyla (September 25, 2012). "Current and former Solon High School students honored as top AP scholars". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  15. ^ Price, Kyla (January 24, 2013). "Two Solon students among only 88 globally to land perfect scores on AP exams". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  16. ^ "Solon Board of Education Meeting Report – 24 October 2016" (PDF). Solon Schools.
  17. ^ "Ohio High School Athletic Association Website". Ohio High School Athletic Association. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
  18. ^ "State Championship Listing". Yappi Sports Wrestling. Retrieved February 12, 2007.
  19. ^ "2015 HSNCT Results". National Academic Quiz Tournaments. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  20. ^ "Solon High School Tournament Results". National Academic Quiz Tournaments. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  21. ^ "OAC Past State Champions". Ohio Academic Competition. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  22. ^ "Science Olympiad Student Center". scioly.org.
  23. ^ "Solon High School Science Olympiad". Science Olympiad scioly.org. 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  24. ^ "Solon Speech & Debate". sites.google.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  25. ^ "OSDA (OHSSL) Event Champions". Google Docs. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  26. ^ "2022 National Tournament Results" (PDF). National Speech and Debate Association. 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  27. ^ Debate, Speech & (June 23, 2017). "6th place in United States Extemp goes to Vishal Sundaram from Solon HS in OH! #Nats17". @speechanddebate. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  28. ^ Debate, Speech. "Congratulations @devsahuja for placing 5th in the nation in USX @speechanddebate #Nats22!! #OHSpeaks". @solonspeech. Twitter. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  29. ^ "Solon Student Wins World Championship In Speech & Debate". Solon, OH Patch. July 1, 2019.
  30. ^ "Solon Music Parents". Solon City Schools. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  31. ^ a b "About Us". Solon Band. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  32. ^ Mazzolini, Chris (September 8, 2011). "Solon High Hosts Band Bash Saturday". Patch Media. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  33. ^ "Solon Marching Band Performs at Cavaliers Halftime". Youtube.com. August 9, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  34. ^ Reichard, Doug (October 11, 2010). "Solon Band Browns Halftime". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  35. ^ "Solon Parent Teacher Association Newsletter" (PDF). Solon City Schools. January 1, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  36. ^ "Wayne Bergeron Concert Information". Solon Music Parents. 2008. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  37. ^ "Meeting Minutes 2009". Solon Music Parents. 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  38. ^ Lewis, Gary (August 27, 2009). "Solon High School Choral Activities" (PDF). Solon City Schools. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  39. ^ "Music in Motion 2012". ShowChoir.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  40. ^ Price, Kyla (January 31, 2013). "Solon High School's Music in Motion choir tops in nation". The Plain Dealer Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  41. ^ Deininger, Maggie (March 14, 2011). "Solon Show Choir Festival Transforms into Competition Next Year". Patch Media. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  42. ^ "The SHS Courier". Solon City School District. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  43. ^ Reid, Sue (July 4, 2013). "City committee learns education TV details". Chagrin Valley Today. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  44. ^ "Solon Community Television". Solon City Schools. 1998. Archived from the original on November 27, 2001. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  45. ^ https://www.cleveland.com/solon/2014/03/solon_consumed_by_sexting_alle.html
  46. ^ https://www.cleveland.com/solon/2014/03/solon_high_school_principal_sa.html
  47. ^ https://wtam.iheart.com/content/2021-03-22-solon-principal-did-have-affair-with-former-student/
  48. ^ https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2021/03/solon-principal-had-prior-affair-with-ex-student-behind-recent-allegation-of-inappropriate-conduct-records-say.html
  49. ^ https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/short-to-be-reinstated-as-solon-high-school-principal/article_e1c84c54-81d2-11eb-a869-c3f610996e7c.html
  50. ^ https://www.cleveland.com/community/2021/03/parents-defend-reinstatement-of-solon-high-school-principal.html
  51. ^ https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/former-solon-band-director-arraigned-on-more-charges/article_69c63394-0510-11ec-90ce-eb67c630abe3.html
  52. ^ https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/09/23/former-solon-schools-band-director-charged-with-sex-crimes-involving-year-old-victim/
  53. ^ https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/former-solon-band-director-indicted-on-18-counts-of-sexual-offenses/article_d005f388-0331-11eb-a166-1fa280e8ef38.html
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