Vero Beach High School Share this page:

Vero Beach, FL

Academics

Vero Beach High School has an AP Program, a Dual Enrollment program with Indian River State College, an Honors program, and regular level classes.

In the AP program students take AP+ Honors classes (also called pre-AP classes) in 9th and 10th grade with the exception of AP Human Geography, AP World History, AP Biology, and AP Psychology. In 11th and 12th grade students can take any of the AP classes they qualify for. AP classes offered include English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Statistics, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics B, Environmental Science, World History, US History, US Government and Politics, Macroeconomics, European History, Psychology, Spanish Language, Geography, and Studio Art-3D. To graduate with AP designation a student must pass at least six credits of AP classes without a grade of D or F in those classes.

The Dual Enrollment Program is offered with Indian River State College to give students the opportunity to take college-level classes at the college, online, or during the summer.

The Honors Program at Vero Beach High School spans all subjects. Honors courses can be found in English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language, art, and vocational classes. To graduate with honors a student must have a grade of C or better in at least 11 credits of honors-level courses, which may include up to three credits in honors electives. All AP courses count towards honors graduation.

The school also offers career and technical classes in areas such as automobiles, business, health science, drafting, carpentry, culinary, gas engines, and environmental technology. In agreement with IRSC, students who complete a career program may be eligible to earn college credit at IRSC.

Athletics

Vero Beach High School has a competitive athletics program with teams qualifying for the state tournament in their respective sports on an almost annual basis. The school currently competes in division 8A.

FHSAA Hall of Fame coach William "Bill" Wilson coached Vero Beach High School to back-to-back boys' track and field state championships in 1989 and 1990.

The football team won the 1981 state championship.

In 1996, history was made when Bucky Stoeckel took the field and at 4'11" became the shortest player ever at the 6A level to participate in a football game.

The 2006 girls' lacrosse team posted a record of 25-1-1, and won the Florida High School Varsity and Interscholastic Associates State Championship. US Lacrosse Magazineranked the Fighting Lady Indians #23 in the nation. In 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, the VBHS girls' lacrosse team won the Florida State championship again, posting a 25-5 regular-season record. The baseball team made it to the "Elite Eight" in 1998, and the "Final Four" in 2003. In February 2016, the Vero Beach girls basketball team won the FHSAA Class 8A championship in a thrilling double overtime contest over Boca Raton, 77-68, finishing 26-1.

Band

The Symphonic Bands form the heart of the Vero Beach High School band program. These bands have received "Superior" ratings at the FBA District Music Performance Assessments for the past 36 years in a row. The bands have also earned "Superior" ratings at the FBA State MPA for 22 of the past 25 years, the last 21 being consecutive. The bands have the state record for the most Otto J. Kraushaar awards won consecutively. In 1999, the VBHS Freshman concert band was the first all freshman band to receive straight superior ratings at a state level.

Symphonic Band I has performed at the 1985 and 1997 Southeastern U.S. Concert Band Clinics in Troy, Alabama; the 1990 College Band Directors National Association Southern Division in Tallahassee, Florida; the 1996 University of Florida Invitational Band Clinic in Gainesville, Florida; the 1996 University of South Florida Festival of Winds in Tampa; the 1998 University of Georgia Honor Band Weekend; the 1995 and 2005 MENC Southern Division Conference; the Stetson University Honors Festival in April 2000 and 2004; and the 2003 and 2010 National Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall.

In 2011, the bands performed at the Florida Music Educators Association conference. In 2013, two symphonic bands and a percussion ensemble traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Bands of America Music For All National Festival. Vero Beach was one of two bands chosen in Florida to attend, and one of 20 groups nationally.

In 2013, James Sammons, director of bands, was inducted to the FMEA Hall of Fame. He has been the director for the past 36 years, since 1980.

In 2016, the Vero Beach Fighting Indians Marching Band traveled to the Chic-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia to play the pre-game show, and to help entertain the audience with their exciting spirit and power of the emotion in the band.

The ensembles include:

• VBHS Fighting Indian Marching Band
• Wind Symphony
• Philharmonic Band
• (Previously: Symphonic Band)
• Symphonic Band
• (Previously: Concert Band)
• Jazz Band
• Stage Band
• Studio Band
• Freshman Jazz Ensemble
• Pep Bands
• Small ensembles
• Symphony Orchestra