Tazewell High School is a public secondary school in Tazewell, Virginia, United States. It is part of Tazewell County Public Schools and is located on 627 Fincastle Road. As of the 2007-2008 school year, enrollment is around 500 students.HistoryPrior to the current location, Tazewell High School was located in three other areas: the current locations of the Tazewell County Courthouse, the Tazewell branch of the Tazewell County Library, and the Tazewell County Administration Building.The current location was built in 1954. As the town grew and changed, so did the school. By 1975, increased enrollment prompted the addition of a new science and library wing, an elevator, and assorted other classrooms. The grounds were also altered with the construction of a football field, regulation track, two field houses, a baseball field, a picnic area, a memorial to John F. Kennedy, several parking lots, and tennis courts.The school colors were originally purple and gold, but were later changed to kelly green and white. The Bulldog becomes the THS mascot in 1926.As students needs changed, so did the curriculum at Tazewell High School. Class offerings expanded to keep up with developments in education and technology, while a variety of extracurricular activities-including athletics, clubs, drama, and music-gave young people new avenues by which to explore their talents and interests.Today the school serving as the site for public meetings, cultural events, athletic meets, academic competitions, and assorted student-centered programs. From the beginning of Tazewell County in 1799, education plays an important role in the lives of Tazewell’s young citizens. Through home instruction and the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, Tazewell Countians recognize the importance of education. The isolation of Tazewell County, however, makes it difficult during the early history of the county to get competent teachers to provide instruction to its children. The first free public school system was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1850. Even by this time, however, many Virginia residents look upon this new public school system as a form of government charity. Therefore, public education is not very successful in any section of the commonwealth. Private schools, for those who can afford them, continue to play the major role in schooling for many of Virginia’s young people.
