Discover the Largest High School in Alabama (And Notable Alums)

High school is undeniably a crucial period of self-discovery and growth. Navigating relationships and academics is a daunting prospect that is only amplified in super larger institutions where simply navigating the labyrinthian hallways can prove stressful. Even the most gregarious teen can feel anonymous and disconnected. However, burgeoning populations across the U.S. have precipitated the need for mega high schools with student enrollments in the thousands! Hoover High School in suburban Birmingham, Alabama is a prime example. Keep reading to discover how this school succeeds in keeping its student body of nearly 3000 active and thriving!

Discover the Largest High School in Alabama: Hoover, Alabama

Hoover is a vibrant and growing city located in the heart of Alabama. Hoover offers residents a high quality of life. The city boasts numerous parks, recreational facilities, and cultural amenities including the Riverchase Galleria, one of the largest shopping malls in the Southeastern United States. A median household income of nearly $100,000.00 provides access to a range of amenities, including quality schools. Its proximity to Birmingham ensures access to larger urban conveniences while maintaining a quieter suburban atmosphere.

Discover the Largest High School in Alabama: Tidbits

Discover the Largest High School in Alabama: Hoover High School

Academics

Hoover High School in the suburban Birmingham, Alabama town of Hoover is the largest high school in Alabama with an enrollment of nearly 3000 students. Hoover High School takes pride in its academic programs. The school’s mission is to provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for college and future careers. To this end, the school has an International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Hoover High School is also one of only 136 high schools in the U.S. to offer the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma. With a 95% graduation rate, Hoover is crushing it!

Athletics

Hoover High School also has a strong athletic program with numerous sports teams, including football, basketball, baseball, swimming, soccer, and track and field. Hoover High School’s sports teams have achieved success, garnering a combined 84 championships since 2000. The boys’ basketball team brought home the state championship in 2023. The girls’ basketball team did the same in 2017, 2019, and 2021. The girls’ volleyball team brought home state gold in 2020. These are but a few of the championships the school has celebrated. Golf, swimming/diving, and track and field have also won numerous awards throughout the years.

Extracurriculars

In addition to academics and athletics, Hoover High School offers extracurricular clubs, organizations, and performing arts groups. These give students the opportunity to explore their interests and develop their talents outside of the classroom. The school’s campus has state-of-the-art classrooms, sports fields, and two auditoriums. In September of 2022, Hoover High broke ground for a new 15 million dollar auditorium. The new auditorium is adjacent to the band room. It seats 940. The new theatre is over 3 times larger than the original one which seats a paltry 270.

Hoover High School has several different bands and eight performing choir ensembles. Bands include marching band, concert band, and jazz band. These bands are very competitive and brought home state honors in 2019 and 2021. Choirs include Class Choir, Paradigm Show Choir, and Chamber Choir. The Grace Notes (ladies) and Ten Bucs Worth (gents) are the two acapella groups.

Discover the Largest High School in Alabama: Hoover, Alabama

Hoover is a vibrant and growing city located in the heart of Alabama. Hoover offers residents a high quality of life. The city boasts numerous parks, recreational facilities, and cultural amenities including the Riverchase Galleria, one of the largest shopping malls in the Southeastern United States. A median household income of nearly $100,000.00 provides access to a range of amenities, including quality schools. Its proximity to Birmingham ensures access to larger urban conveniences while maintaining a quieter suburban atmosphere.

The Largest High School in Alabama: Notariety

Hoover High School was featured in the MTV reality television show Two-A-Days. The show aired from August 2006 to October 2007 and followed the daily lives of the Hoover High School Buccaneers football team during their 2005 and 2006 seasons. It provided an inside look at the players’ personal lives, training, and the challenges they faced both on and off the field. Two-A-Days showcased the dedication and intensity of high school football in the South, particularly in Alabama, where football is deeply ingrained in the culture. The show gained popularity for its portrayal of the athletes’ experiences and the pressure they encountered to succeed in a highly competitive environment. The show’s focus on the Hoover High School football program helped bring national attention to the school and its athletic achievements, further solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse in high school sports.

The Largest High School in Alabama: Notable Alumni

What Does it Mean to Be Notable?

Notable refers to someone worthy of attention or recognition regardless of whether they are famous or well-known. It could pertain to a unique talent, a remarkable achievement, or an outstanding act of kindness. Notability can often be found in the hidden gems of society, the unsung heroes, or the unexplored areas of art, science, or culture that deserve appreciation and admiration for their distinctiveness and impact.

List of Notable Alumni

While the list of notable Hoover High School’s notable alumni is rather long, some of its more famous alums include:

• Ricky Dillon: Dillon is a YouTuber. While at Hoover he participated in the marching band. Ricky graduated in 2010. Dillon continues to be a streamer and a gamer with millions of followers.
• Hannah Goodwin: Goodwin graduated from Hoover in 2013. She is an American television personality who appeared on season 23 of The Bachelor. She earned a degree in Business and Marketing from The University of Montevallo.
• Taylor Hicks: Hicks is a singer/actor and a 1995 graduate of Hoover High. He won season 5 of America Idol.
• Chad Jackson: Jackson is a football powerhouse who attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship. Jackson played for the New England Patriots, the Denver Broncos, and the Buffalo Bills. While at Hoover High he was instrumental in bringing home two state championships.
• Will Pearson: Pearson is a 1997 graduate of Hoover High. He graduated from Duke University in 2001. He is the founder of Mental Floss, an online publication that focuses on a variety of topics.
• George Pickens: Pickens is a wide receiver in the NFL, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a senior at Hoover, Pickens racked up an astounding 69 receptions and 16 touchdowns.
• Will Reichard: A 2019 graduate of Hoover High School, Reichard hold the University of Alabama record for most points for a single player with 426 points currently. He will be piling on more during the 2023 season. Stay tuned!
• Sidney Spencer: Spencer is a 2003 graduate of Hoover High. Spencer won numerous basketball awards while in high school, where she also excelled in Volleyball. She attended college at the University of Tennessee where she continued her winning streak. After graduating from college, Spencer played professionally for the Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, and Phoenix Mercury.
• Heather Whitestone: Whitestone is notable as the first deaf Miss America. She graduated from the forerunner to Hoover High School, Berry High. She is an author who has penned four books.