Jesse O. Sanderson High School, more commonly called Sanderson High School (SHS), is a co-educational 9–12 public high school located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States in the Wake County Public School System. The school was founded in 1968. It is named after a former superintendent of Raleigh public schools, Jesse O. Sanderson. Sanderson runs on a 2x4 block schedule; it was one of the first schools in the area to do so. It is known for its performing arts, athletic, and community outreach programs. Clubs Sanderson's student government has received recognition for their participation in the Sanderson community. It is one of the only four high schools in the state and 131 in the country to earn the National Association of Student Councils Gold Council of Excellence in 2010. Performing arts Sanderson Theatre Ensemble In 2018, Sanderson High School performed the play “26 Pebbles” by Eric Ulloa, a play about the Sandy Hook shooting, for the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Sanderson Sandpipers The director of the Sanderson Sandpipers, Marshall Butler Jr., has been recognized as an outstanding music educator by the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. Marshall Butler retired at the end of the 201516 school year. Athletics Sanderson has won thirty-four state championships. Men's Cross Country Sanderson's men's cross country team won the 2009 NCHSAA 4A State Championship. Men's Soccer Sanderson's men's soccer team has won eleven 4A state soccer championships. They also once held the national record for most consecutive games without a loss at 103, and is still the state record. Since the early 1980s, they have also produced a number of Division 1 players. Cheerleading Sanderson's cheerleading squad has won multiple state championships (2005, 2008, 2010). Administration As of August 2019, Gretta Dula is the principal of Sanderson High School. Dula replaced Gregory Decker who served as the school's principal for over ten years. Decker is credited with the schools raising graduation rates over the same time frame. Cathey Moore, Decker's predecessor served in the position for seven years. In her time Cathey Moore was named principal of the year. She was promoted to assistant superintendent. Demographic & economic background As of 2012, 28% of the students receive free lunch, 4% receive reduced-price lunch, and 68% receive no lunch benefits. Notable alumni Tom Fetzer (1973), former Mayor of Raleigh and former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party Steve Dobrogosz (1974), pianist and composer Steve Kenney