Patrick County High School is a comprehensive public high school in Stuart, Virginia, USA. The school currently enrolls over 1,000 students in grades 8–12. It is the only public high school operated by the Patrick County Public Schools. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools along with the Virginia Department of Education.
Students who graduate from Stuart Elementary, Hardin Reynolds Memorial, Woolwine Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary, and Meadows of Dan Elementary matriculate into Patrick County High School.
Opening in 1970 after a county-wide consolidation of schools, Patrick County High School is located approximately one mile south of the town of Stuart in Patrick County, Virginia.
Principals of Patrick County High School
James K. Hiatt (1970–1989) Bill I. Dillon (1989–1995) Glenn W. Blackburn (1995–1997) Gary Safritt (1998) E.G. Bradshaw, Jr. (1999 - 2011) Moriah Dollarhite (2011 - 2013 ) Trey Cox (2013 - 2021) Hope Perry (2021 - Present)
In 2009, Bradshaw was named the Outstanding High School Principal of Virginia by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP)
History
Patrick County High School represents the first and only consolidated school of secondary education in Patrick County. Conceived in the mid-1960s, the school opened its doors to students for the first time in August 1970. With James K. Hiatt as principal, the first senior class graduated in early June of the following year.
The school has undergone a number of structural upgrades through the years. There is a plan in effect to restructure the entire front side of the school, increasing the number of classrooms, building a new main office, and providing new areas for several of the fine arts programs. This will be the largest improvement the school has seen since it was first built almost 40 years ago.
Distinguished Patrick Countian and Distinguished Service Award
Beginning in 1975, the Student Council Association (SCA) began awarding the Distinguished Patrick Countian Award to a member of the community, and has done so every year since. In 1993, the SCA started giving a second award, the Outstanding Community Service Award.
The committee to determine these recipients is chaired by the treasurer of the SCA for the academic year. The committee is made up of the executive council of the SCA. In 2003, the committee announced that the Outstanding Community Service Award would henceforth be titled the Distinguished Service Award.
A school-wide ceremony is held in the spring of each year to recognize the recipients and is often attended by past recipients and other members of the community. The Distinguished Patrick Countian Award is considered the highest honor a citizen of Patrick County can receive.
Past recipients have included Judge John Dillard Hooker, Nannie Ruth Cooper Terry, Algie Spencer, Annie Hylton, Winifred Roberson, Dr. Stewart Roberson, Bill Pons, Ella Sue Joyce, Joseph H. Vipperman Jr., and Ronald D. Haley. Haley is the only recipient to have won both the Distinguished Patrick Countian Award (2007) and the Distinguished Service Award (1993).
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award include Clyde Crissman, D. Philip Plaster, Dr. Richard Cole, and Thomas Rakes.
Athletics
Known as the Cougars, Patrick County High School boasts 16 varsity sports teams. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. With their colors of green and gold, the Cougars compete in the AA Piedmont District of AA Region IV of the Virginia High School League (VHSL). District opponents include the Bassett High School Bengals, Magna Vista High School Warriors, Martinsville High School Bulldogs, and Tunstall High School Trojans. Other local rivals include neighboring Floyd County High School Buffaloes and Carroll County High School Cavaliers.
The Cougars have found success in every sport at some point. Most recently, football, women's basketball, men's tennis, softball, women's cross country and wrestling have produced both individual and team championships within the last five years.
Patrick County Varsity Football
The Cougar varsity football team broke their 40-game losing streak by defeating the Chatham HS Cavaliers in their season opener and the Carroll County HS Cavaliers on their Senior Night.