Welcome to Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School.
Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School is a wonderful place for students to grow educationally, get involved in a variety of activities, and have a meaningful school experience.
I truly enjoy the students in all grade levels, getting to know our parent community, and working with the best school staff any principal could want. Together, we strive to create an environment in which each student is given the tools needed to achieve his or her individual success. Named a National School of Excellence and consistently ranking at the top of Ohio schools is positive proof that the hard work and dedication of our staff and the entire community is paying off.
Ottawa Hills has an exceptional faculty and staff who have a passion for teaching and learning. They are creative and focused, putting students at the center of the learning process. Together, they nurture an environment that provides our students with a firm understanding of the knowledge and skills in the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. We offer a rigorous curriculum that is internationally competitive and has a long tradition of excellence.
As a school and community, we strongly value the visual and performing arts and regard them as part of the “core curriculum.” The arts offer a unique opportunity to explore creativity, develop self-expression, and examine the human condition. Students may select from a variety of courses in which they can learn a foundation of knowledge and skills in the arts including: Digital Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry, Fashion Design, AP Art, Band, AP Music Theory, and Choir. Outside the classroom, students can perform in our award-winning Choraliers, Band, Jazz Band, and theatrical productions. Students’ artwork is showcased during the smART show, an annual art fair with visual arts, poetry, writing, music, and fashion. AP Art students enjoy this forum in which they present their individual portfolios and explain their artistic endeavors.
We encourage our students to be active, creative, and responsible citizens through a number of opportunities beyond academics that are designed to help shape them into well-rounded individuals with the capacity to think critically. Students can participate in exceptional athletic programs and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Sport activities include football, baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis, golf, and field hockey. Ottawa Hills teams are recent state champions in golf, field hockey, and soccer. Other activities include Volunteer Focus, Eclipse Club, French Club, Spanish Club, Model United Nations, Chess Club, Challenge Crew, Math Counts, Destination Imagination, Science Fair, National History Day, and Power of the Pen.
Looking beyond their junior high and high school years, we help prepare our students by keeping them up-to-date with the latest online learning and technology tools that will easily transfer into university and career settings. In addition, school guidance counselors work closely with students and their families to match each individual student’s interest and ability with the advanced educational opportunities of his or her choice.
All of this is made possible by strong partnerships with parents and the Ottawa Hills community. We focus on communicating with parents and are always trying to improve that communication. Parent-driven organizations like the Athletic Boosters, Ottawa Hills Music and Theater Association, OH Prevention Advisory Committee, and the Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association play an important and active role in the our schools. The Ottawa Hills campus is truly in the center of our community.
I hope you find our website helpful. If you have suggestions for improving it, or would like a tour of our school, please contact the school office. If I can be of any assistance, please give me a call at 419-534-5376 or e-mail me at
BMcMurray@ottawahillsschools.org.
Sincerely,
Benjamin S. McMurray
Principal, Ottawa Hills Jr./Sr. High School
Visit Mr. McMurray's Home Page:
http://teachers.ottawahillsschools.org/mcmurray