The average student at Stamford High School obtains little knowledge of the real facts that make up SHS. Annually, the state of Connecticut provides a strategic school profile, consisting of a variety of statistics that make SHS unique.  All facts accumulated in this article are sourced by the most recent Stamford High School Strategic School Profile, from the 2012-2013 school year.

As you can tell from the chipped paint, absent ceiling tiles, leaks, and century-old teachers, this school was not founded yesterday. In fact:

• Stamford High School was founded in 1873.

If you think the hallways at Stamford High are already packed, then you’re on to something. In fact:

• Over 130 teachers work at SHS.
• Approximately 2,000 students are enrolled.

It’s safe to say SHS is pretty large, not to mention the 12 counselors and social workers, two nurses, six administrators, and 36 other professional staff that work at the school daily.

Before you make assumptions as to why those kids in your class constantly give you a blank stare and a befuddled nod every time you try speaking to them, keep in mind that:

• 10 percent of SHS students don’t speak fluent English.
• 3 percent of SHS students come from homes in which English is not the primary language spoken.
• There are 34 different languages being spoken at the homes of SHS students.

Most teachers here are better-educated than students might realize:

• 93 percent of SHS teachers have a Master’s degree or higher.
• The faculty has an average of 15 years of experience in teaching.

An interesting fact about SHS is that it’s made up primarily of minority races.

• Approximately 560 students are black, which is 29 percent of the student body.
• Approximately 620 students are Hispanic, which is 32 percent of the student body.
• Approximately 675 students are white, which is 35 percent of the student body.
• Other minorities make up the remaining 4 percent of the student body.

As some might suspect, SHS does not have the cleanest disciplinary record. In the data below, disciplinary offenses committed by students include all serious offenses, offenses involving drugs and alcohol and all incidents involving suspension or expulsion. In the 2012 school year, 177 SHS students were found involved in incidents like this.

• There were 10 instances in which SHS students took part in violent crimes against other students.
• There were 27 physical/verbal confrontations.
• There were 44 fighting/battery offenses.
• There were 86 school policy violations.
• There were 64 other offenses, totaling 231 incidents.

Whether or not these facts about SHS have strengthened or weakened your appreciation for the school, they’re probably not what you expected.