Hellgate High School

Hellgate High School is located in Missoula, Montana. It is the largest high school in the Missoula County Public School's District of Montana in terms of student body population. Hellgate has approximately 1,200 students, and a faculty of approximately 100. Sean Muir, the American playwright, graduated from here.

History

First established in 1908 as Missoula County High School, the school was later renamed Hellgate High, shortly after the foundation of the University of Montana.Cite web|url=http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/07/05/news/local/news04.txt|title=Historians chronicle 60 years at Missoula County High School|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=October 5|publisher=The Missoulian|author=Mea Andrews|language=English] Hellgate is one of the oldest high schools in the State of Montana. Hellgate is a three-story building that blends several different forms of architecture. Hellgate has an extensive network of underground tunnels that were used decades ago.

The name "Hellgate High School" was not used until Sentinel High opened in 1956. Before Sentinel opened, Missoula County High School was the only public high school in Missoula, with Frenchtown High school the only other public high school in the County.

Hellgate is so named from the "Hell Gate Canyon", a passage carved by the Clark Fork River through the Mission-Saphire mountain range. Hell Gate owes its name to the warriors of the Blackfeet Nation who often lay in wait along the canyon’s walls to ambush the Salish People (and their allies) as they journeyed through the gorge towards the buffalo grounds of eastern Montana. Fearing this dark and bloody passageway, the Flatheads named the area "Ne-Missoula-Takoo" (Nemissoolatakoo)," a place of fear by the water." French trappers called the canyon, Port d'Enfere, which means "gate of hell." Hell Gate Canyon remained a most dangerous site until 1855, when the Flatheads and Blackfeet signed a treaty. Missoula, incidentally derives its name from the Salish name for Hell Gate, the word having been simplified (corrupted) by Neo-Europeans to Missoula.Fact|date=October 2007

Mission Statement

"Hellgate High School, in partnership with students, parents, and the community, will provide a rigorous education in a safe environment through which students can acquire knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to fulfill their adult roles and responsibilities in the twenty-first century."Cite web|url=http://www.mcps.k12.mt.us/hellgate|title=Hellgate High School|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=October 5|publisher=Hellgate High School|year=2007|author=Hellgate High School|language=English]

Programs

Hellgate High School has a successful music program, sending nearly 20-30 people every single year to the All-Northwest program.Fact|date=October 2007 Hellgate has the highest number of people from any high school in Montana who attend the All-State Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Jazz programs.Fact|date=October 2007 Hellgate recently had the highest test scores in the State in reference to reading and writing.

In 2007, the Hellgate Academic WorldQuest team received first place in the State competition, and later advanced onto the national competition in Washington D.C.. The WorldQuest team was able to take second place in the nation.

Hellgate has the highest number of students who participate in the University of Montana's Model United Nations program, sending upwards of fifty people every single year.Fact|date=October 2007 Hellgate usually does well in this competition, and has received the Best Delegation award two years in a row.Fact|date=October 2007

Notable alumni

*John Morrison, politician
*Sean Muir, playwright
*Steve Albini, musician
*Allen Vizzutti, musician.

References

External links

* [http://www.mcps.k12.mt.us/hellgate/ Official site]
* [http://www.hellgateband.org/ Hellgate Band]