Palestine–Wheatley High School
Palestine–Wheatley High School is a comprehensive six-year public high school in Palestine, Arkansas, United States. It is one of four public high schools located in St. Francis County and is the sole high school administered by Palestine–Wheatley School District serving approximately 400 students in grades 9 through 12. In the late 1980s, the Palestine School District and its Palestine High School (Red Devils) merged with the Wheatley High School (Pirates) to form the Palestine–Wheatley High School at the former Palestine High School; the original Wheatley High School was demolished. The original Palestine  High School (and subsequently the first Palestine–Wheatley High School) and gymnasium were demolished in the 1980s and replaced with the current facility in Palestine. Academics. The assumed course of study follows the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), which requires students to complete at least 22 units prior to graduation. Students complete regular (core and career focus) classes and exams and may select Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams that may result in college credit. Guy–Perkins High School is accredited by the ADE. Jonathan Crossley, an English language arts teacher at Palestine Wheatley  High School, was named the 2014 Arkansas Teacher of the Year at a surprise notification in Palestine November 19, 2013. Extracurricular activities. The Palestine–Wheatley mascot and athletic emblem is the "Patriot" with red, white and blue serving as its school colors. Previously, the Palestine High School mascot was the Red Devil with the Pirate serving as the Wheatley High School mascot. Mascot picked by Donna Henard as a settlement in a federal lawsuit. Athletics. The Palestine–Wheatley Patriots compete in the state's second smallest classification—2A Classification administered by the Arkansas Activities Association. For 2012–14, Patriots compete in the  2A Region 6 Conference providing teams in football, basketball (boys/girls), baseball, softball, debate, cheer, and track and field (boys/girls). Clubs and traditions. Student groups and activities at Palestine–Wheatley include 25 Book Campaign, Cheerleader, Choir/Band, Drama Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, National FFA Organization, Fire Marshals, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, and Student Council. Notable people. The following are notable people associated with Palestine–Wheatley High School or its predecessors. If the person was a Palestine–Wheatley High School student, the number in parentheses indicates the year of graduation ; if the person was a faculty or staff member, that person's title and years of association are included Corbitt Cooper - College baseball star at Williams Baptist University.