Herbert Henry Dow High School

The facility, also known as H.H. Dow High School, Dow High or Midland Dow is one of two high schools in the Midland Public School district, and a member of the Saginaw Valley High School Association. The facility was intended to alleviate overcrowding at Midland High School and construction of the 270,000-square-foot (25,000 m²) building was completed in 1968 at a cost of $9,172,303. The school was named in honor of Herbert Henry Dow, founder of the Dow Chemical Company, based in Midland. When the school opened in 1968, only sophomores were in attendance, and they would be the first class to graduate in 1971. One grade was added each year and the school included grades 10-12 until a freshman class was added in 1997. A $2.2 million science wing with 4,800 square feet (450 m²) was added in 1999. Music and athletic facilities were enhanced in 2005 as part of a 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m²) building expansion which cost $3,827,697.[5]

Dow High School has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools every year since 1972.[7] The school was ranked as the 47th best high school in Michigan for 2021 by U.S. News & World Report.[8] Advanced Placement classes are utilized by 32% of the students. Students also have the option to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.[9][10]

The school offers more than 55 co-curricular clubs and activities open to students depending on level of interest, including student government, debate, quiz bowl, community service, language clubs. Music choices include band, marching band, orchestra, choir, jazz ensembles, chamber music groups, and solo. Drama activities include all facets of a theatre production. Art starts with beginning art, intermediate art, advanced 2D design, advanced 3D design, commercial art and IB/AP Visual Art.[11] Within athletics, teams are fielded for cross country, football, soccer, golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, hockey, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, softball, track and gymnastics.[12]

Approximately 80% of the student body is involved in co-curricular activities.[13]

Student population for 2020-21 was 1,258 with 84% White, 7% Asian, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American and 3% Other. The city of Midland has generally the same demographics.
Males comprise 51.6%; females 48.4%.
Student/Teacher ratio was 19.56/1
Enrollment by grade was balanced: 9th/319 10th/318 11th/301 12th/320
Free or reduced-cost lunch was available to 21.1% of the students.[14]

According to the 2016 school improvement plan, there were 85 staff and faculty members. Nearly two thirds of the instructors held a Master's degree or higher and all were "highly qualified" for their teaching assignments. Dow Chemical Company is the major area employer and has been downsizing since 2012, resulting in a decrease of 160 students. The merger of Dow Corning and DuPont is expected to exacerbate the situation. The number of suspensions and total students suspended was halved from the 2011-12 school year (156/89) to the 2015-16 school year (65/45).[13]

• David Lee Camp, member of the United States House of Representatives[15]
• Michael Cohrs, Group Executive Committee Deutsche Bank
• Meredith McGrath, former professional tennis player on the Women's Tennis Association
• Chuck Moss, member of the Michigan House of Representatives[16]
• Joseph P. Overton, creator of the Overton Window[17]
• Jalen Parmele, former Jacksonville Jaguars running back, drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft
• Bill Schuette, District Court of Appeals Judge, former member of the United States House of Representatives and Attorney General of the State of Michigan[18]
• Steve Shelley, drummer for the band Sonic Youth
• Cheryl Studer, Grammy Award winning dramatic soprano[19]
• Scott Winchester, former MLB pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds

• H. H. Dow High School website