Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Independence High School (or, The Big I) is a high school in Mint Hill, North Carolina (with a Charlotte mailing address). The school mascot is the Patriots and the school colors are green and gold.

Independence High School
Address
1967 Patriot Dr

Charlotte
,
North Carolina
28227

United States
Coordinates35°11′50″N 80°41′14″W
Information
Other namesThe Big I, Indy
TypePublic
Motto"Ensuring success for all students
Established1967 (1967)
CEEB code340673
PrincipalDavid LeGrand
Staff134.01 (FTE)[1]
Number of students2,426 (2017–18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio18.10[1]
Color(s)Green and gold
  
MascotPatriot
Graduates (2014)84.5%
Websiteschools.cms.k12.nc.us/independenceHS/Pages/Default.aspx

Academics

The school no longer has magnet programs, since the International Baccalaureate program was relocated to another school several years ago. However, the Academy of International Studies has now been incorporated into Independence, creating a 'school within a school' feeling. This program is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and encourages students to be aware of both their communities and the world.[2] The Academy of Engineering was also later added, which is funded by NAF. In 2006, more than twenty students participated in an exam to be able to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina, a state-sponsored program for extremely gifted students, established by NC senator Terry Sanford. The previous year, six students from Independence met all the requirements to participate in the School. The requirements include writing two essays and receiving teacher recommendations.[3] Though school officials expected more students to be accepted into the program, only two students made the cut in 2007.

Sports

In sports, Independence High School, also known as "the Big I"or"Indy" is a member of the Southwestern 4–A Conference.[4]

Independence Patriots Football

During the 2000s, the Independence varsity football team, coached by Tom Knotts and Bill Geiler, won 109 straight games,[5] that included seven straight North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) State Championships (4–AA). The Big I hold the second longest winning streak in high school prep football, and also hold the most consecutive wins in U.S. public high school football history. Their streak ended on September 1, 2007 when Cincinnati Ohio's Elder High School defeated Independence in overtime, 41–34.[6]

Former Head Coach Tom Knotts has won NC 4A record of seven state championships, six state championships won at Independence and one at West Charlotte. He also has the best winning percentage of any NC head football coach to coach at least 20 years or longer. He has also taken every school he has coached at to the state championship game. Coach Knotts is known for turning average schools into powerhouse programs (Harding, Independence, Dutch Fork). Independence High School has the record for public school football win streak with 109 straight wins without a loss.[7] While De La Salle High School holds the longest win streak private or public, with 151 wins.

The Patriots continued the winning streak in the absence of Head Coach Tom Knotts in 2004. In that year, Independence had its strongest year of its streak and the most dominant year in the history of the state averaging 54 points a game and averaging 8 points against them. During Coach Knotts absence, Bill Geiler took over head coaching duties. Coach Knotts left for a season to be the quarterbacks coach for Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) Blue Devils football program, but returned to Independence after a single season at his alma mater. After Coach Tom Knotts left Independence in 2009, Coach Bill Geiler took back over as head coach for three years from 2010–2012.[7]

In recognition of their long winning streak, the football team was invited to appear on the NFL pre-game show before the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday, October 1, 2006.

Independence Patriots Basketball

The Patriots Men's Varsity Basketball team won the NCHSAA State Championship (4–A) in 1997 versus Richmond Senior High School.

The Men's Varsity Basketball team won the 2018 NCHSAA State Championship against Heritage High School.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Independence High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  2. "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation". How We Work. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  3. "NC Governor's School Nomination Requirements" (PDF). NC Governor's School. NC Governor's School. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  4. "NC Southwestern 4A Sports". Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  5. "ESPN High Elite 25 High Football Rankings - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  6. Groeschen, Tom (2007-09-03). "Down goes Independence, 109-game win streak - USATODAY.com". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  7. "Coach Tom Knotts". Home Teams Online. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  8. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/a-look-at-the-2005-charlotte-eagles-pro-soccer-team/n-3144910. ourpsortscentral.com. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  9. NC Senate District 41| Incumbent Jeff Tarte faces two challengers. The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved Dec 18, 2019.
  10. "N.C. woman is new Miss USA". Charlotte Observer. April 20, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  11. Pro Football Reference. (n.d.) Retrieved June 26, 2018, from https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93badabb
  12. Austin Duke - Football - Charlotte Athletics. charlotte49ers.com. Retrieved Dec 24, 2019.
  13. Football: Radell Lockheart. gocatawbaindians.com. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  14. Bio - Dave Moody. davemoody.com. Retrieved Dec 18, 2019.
  15. Jobey Thomas - Men's Basketball - UNC Charlotte. charlotte49ers.com. Retrieved Dec 24, 2019.
  16. Tony White Stats. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved Dec 24, 2019.
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