Burlington High School (BHS) is a public high school located in Burlington, Vermont, United States. BHS' current (since 1964) campus is its fourth. Two of the former buildings still exist, one (1900–1964) as the Edmunds Elementary and Middle School complex while the second one, used in the late 1800s, is now a private residence.

Student life

Community service

Each student of BHS is expected to complete 40 hours of community service over his or her academic career. Community service fairs have been held at the school, with information about local organizations which need volunteers. A blood drive is hosted twice a year, with donation limited to students over age 16.

Curriculum

Burlington High School requires the typical 24 credit load to graduate: 4 mandatory English, 3 mandatory science, 3 mandatory history, 3 mandatory math, 1 or 2 foreign languages (including French, German, Chinese, Spanish, and Latin) most reach level 2, 0.5 health, 1.5 gym, and 1 art or music (including band, computer science, chorus, clay, metals, and others). After these requirements have been completed, students are left with 5 elective credits to choose, which can span any of the aforementioned subjects.

Recognition

15 graduates qualified for national merit scholarships in 2008.

Campus

The permanent Burlington High School is composed of 5 main buildings, labeled A, B, C, D, and E. There is also an F building, which contains Burlington Technical Center (BTC), a regional technical center that is attended by students from BHS as well as other high schools in the county. A building is the largest; it houses the school's cafeteria, gymnasium, music department, auditorium, and a few classrooms. B building is occupied by foreign-language and art classrooms, with the school's library on the first floor. C building is occupied by the English and the history departments, while E building is used by the mathematics and science departments. D building contains mostly exploratory programs, such as computer literacy and health. The campus closed in 2020 as in the course of renovations Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) deposits were found. the school administration is determining the future of the permanent site. As of that year athletic programs, extracurricular programs, and theater programs are being held at the permanent campus. On March 4, 2021, a temporary campus opened in a former Macy's in Downtown Burlington, with the school district leasing the property for 3 1/2 years; as of that period all classes are taught at this location. The department store had closed in 2018, and $3.5 million was spent to renovate it, with the State of Vermont contributing. The warehouse and china department were retrofitted into being a gymnasium and a library, respectively. The classroom walls do not meet the ceiling. The campus is 2 mi from the permanent one.

Newspaper

Burlington High School is known throughout the community for its award-winning journalism program, which produces The BHS Register, a bi-weekly newspaper published in print and online. The program has produced five Al Neuharth Free Spirit Journalism Scholars over the past 10 years. The paper's extensive coverage of the teacher contract negotiations in fall 2016 was highly regarded. The publication was named the best student newspaper for a Class II school size by the New England Scholastic Press Association in May 2017.

Sports

The sports teams include cross country, alpine, basketball, field hockey, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee, softball, tennis, football, figure skating, soccer, ultimate, track (including indoor track), bowling and "longboat" (Cornish pilot gig) racing.

Recognition

Notable alumni