Grand Prairie High School
Grand Prairie High School is a public high school in Grand Prairie, Texas.[2] It is one of two high schools serving the 37-campus Grand Prairie Independent School District, which encompasses the Dallas County portion of Grand Prairie.
Grand Prairie High School | |
---|---|
Address | |
101 Gopher Blvd , , Texas 75050 United States | |
Information | |
School type | Public |
Established | 1911 |
Principal | Laigha El Samarayi Boyle |
Staff | 202.24 (FTE)[1] |
Grades | 9-12 |
Enrollment | 2,942 (2018–19)[1] |
Student to teacher ratio | 14.55[1] |
Color(s) | |
Mascot | Gopher |
Rivals | South Grand Prairie High School |
Website | gphs |
History
1902 | Grand Prairie Independent School District established |
---|---|
1902 | Ten formal grades established |
1905 | Two-story building constructed at 214 West College Street |
1911 | First graduating class of four students completes high school program |
1924 | Grand Prairie High School fields its first football team |
1954 | Dalworth School (for African-American students) adds high school program |
1956 | Dalworth High School graduates first class |
1966 | Grand Prairie ISD integrates Dalworth High School into Grand Prairie High School |
2002 | Grand Prairie High School Ninth Grade Center opens |
2016 | A Portion Of High School Drive Was Renamed To Gopher Boulevard On June 1 |
Campus
Grand Prairie High School relocated to its current site[3] at 101 Gopher Boulevard in January 1953, following the 1952 Christmas holidays.[4]
Classroom facilities
Following construction of the original building in 1952, the school underwent its first expansion in the late 1970s. However, the classroom facilities in use today are mainly the product of a major expansion and renovation project completed in 1990. The project added a new library, administrative offices, classroom space, cafeteria, and gymnasium (see "Athletic facilities" below), as well as the atrium at the school's entrance.
Due to dramatic growth in the student population, GPHS opened a Ninth Grade Center in 2002 at the southwest corner of the campus. The high school and the Ninth Grade Center consolidated to begin the 2013-14 school year as the Ninth Grade Center was converted to the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy.
Athletic facilities
The Gopher Bowl (was constructed in 1956 in the northeast portion of the campus and hosts the school's home football games and soccer matches. Unlike many stadiums with "bowl" in their names, the stadium is an almost complete below-ground bowl (the northeast end is not enclosed). Since 1969, it has also been the site of the home football games of the South Grand Prairie High School Warriors. It was remodeled and expanded in 2003–2004 and re-dedicated as the Gopher-Warrior Bowl to recognize both high schools, to much dismay from Gopher alumni.
The school's coliseum was completed in 1990. The GPISD Board of Trustees re-dedicated it as the Amos Turner Gymnasium in 1998. Turner was principal of GPHS during the 1975–1976 school year and previously served as both a teacher and coach at GPHS from 1953 until 1968.
Performing arts facilities
The 2,000-seat H. H. Chambers Auditorium sits at the southeast corner of the campus and was dedicated in 1963. Chambers served as superintendent of the Grand Prairie Independent School District from 1950 to 1968.
The Leon Breeden Band Hall houses the school's music education program and honors former GPHS band director Leon Breeden. Following his tenure at GPHS, Breeden achieved international recognition as the director of the world-renowned jazz program at the University of North Texas College of Music.[5]
Demographics
Grand Prairie High School had the following demographic profile during the 2009–2010 school year in grades 10–12:[6]
72.7% | Latino |
---|---|
14.7% | Anglo-American |
10.6% | African-American |
1.6% | Asian or Pacific Islander |
0.4% | Native American |
Feeder schools
The following elementary schools feed into Grand Prairie High School:
- Hobbs Williams Elementary School
- Travis Elementary School
The following middle schools feed into Grand Prairie High School:
- Adams Middle School
- Bill Arnold Middle School Women's Leadership Academy
- Kennedy Middle School
- James Fannin Middle School
Academic standards
In 2010, the school was rated "recognized" by the Texas Education Agency.[7] In 2011, the school was rated "Academically Unacceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.[8]
Achievements
UIL Academic State honors
Year | Class | Award | Event |
---|---|---|---|
1945 | 2A | Champion[9] | Team Debate |
1990 | 5A | Runner-up[10] | Calculator Applications |
1993 | 5A | Champion[11] | Current Issues and Events |
1994 | 5A | Champion[12] | Current Issues and Events |
2002 | 5A | Runner-up[13] | Poetry Interpretation |
2004 | 5A | Champion[14] | Ready Writing |
2004 | 5A | Runner-up[14] | Headline Writing |
2004 | 5A | Runner-up[14] | Current Issues and Events Team |
2006 | 5A | Champion[14] | Poetry Interpretation |
2011 | 5A | Champion[14] | Prose Interpretation |
UIL Athletic State honors
Year | Class | Award | Event |
---|---|---|---|
1929 | N/A | Champion[15] | Boys' 220 Yard Low Hurdles |
1960 | 4A | Champion[16] | Boys' Pole Vault |
1963 | 4A | Champion[17] | Boys' 180 Yard Low Hurdles |
1987 | 5A | Champion[18] | Boys' 110m Hurdles |
1987 | 5A | Champion[19] | Boys' 100m Dash |
1987 | 5A | Champion[20] | Boys' 200m Dash |
1995 | 5A | Semifinalist[21] | Baseball |
1997 | 5A | Champion[22] | Boys' High Jump |
1999 | 5A | Runner-up[23] | Boys' 300m Hurdles |
1999 | 5A | Runner-up[24] | Boys' Wrestling, Weight Class 130 |
1999 | 5A | Runner-up[24] | Boys' Wrestling, Weight Class 215 |
National Speech and Debate Tournament honors
From the National Speech and Debate Association:
Year | Event | Award |
---|---|---|
1993 | International Extemporaneous Speaking | 11th Place[25] |
2000 | Humorous Interpretation | 7th Place[26] |
2012 | Dramatic Interpretation | National Champion[27] |
2017 | Dramatic Interpretation | 12th Place[28] |
Texas Forensic Association State Tournament honors
From the Texas Forensic Association:
Year | Event | Award |
---|---|---|
2009 | Duo Interpretation | 6th Place[29] |
2011 | Sweepstakes | 5th Place[30] |
2011 | Duo Interpretation | State Champion[31] |
2011 | Duet Acting | 3rd Place[30] |
2012 | Duet Acting | State Champion[32] |
2012 | Duet Acting | 6th Place[33] |
2012 | Duet Acting | 8th Place[32] |
2012 | Duo Interpretation | 5th Place[33] |
2012 | Duo Interpretation | 7th Place[32] |
2012 | Dramatic Interpretation | 5th Place[33] |
2017 | Dramatic Interpretation | State Champion[34] |
Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest State honors
Year | Award | Category |
---|---|---|
1983 | Outstanding Performer[35] | Vocal |
1983 | Outstanding Performer[35] | Vocal |
1991 | Outstanding Performer[36] | Medium Ensemble |
1994 | Outstanding Performer[37] | Medium Ensemble |
1995 | Outstanding Performer[38] | Medium Ensemble |
2002 | Outstanding Performer[39] | Trumpet |
2016 | Outstanding Performer[40] | Violin (Mariachi) |
Notable alumni
(includes Grand Prairie High School and Dalworth High School)
- Chris Allen, 2011 Emmy Award Winner for Most Outstanding Commercial[41]
- Rodney Anderson, member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 105; former member of the Texas House from District 106
- Ronald L. Berry, former Director of Mission Support, Space Shuttle Program[42]
- Rhett Bomar, former NFL and Oklahoma quarterback
- Dennis Burkley, actor
- Dave Clark, 1960 Olympian, Pole Vault[43]
- Charles England, former Mayor of Grand Prairie[44]
- Randy Galloway, retired Dallas/Fort Worth ESPN Radio host and Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist
- Lonnie Hannah, member of 2002 gold-medal-winning and 2006 bronze-medal-winning U.S. Paralympic sledge hockey team and flag bearer at closing ceremonies of 2006 Winter Paralympics[45]
- Michael Keasler, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge
- Fred Knox, Joint Strike Fighter Chief Test Pilot, The Boeing Company[46]
- Keithen McCant, former Canadian Football League player
- T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (2005–2008)
- [[*Jack T. Sanders, professor and department head of religious studies, University of Oregon (deceased 2016) (retired 2002)[47]
°°E. P. Sanders, leading New Testament scholar and retired Duke University professor
- Kenneth Sheets, Dallas attorney and former member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 107 in Dallas County
- Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League[48]
- Charley Taylor, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Washington Redskins wide receiver
- Kerry Wood, retired Major League Baseball pitcher and 1998 National League Rookie of the Year[49]
- B. Glen Whitley, County Judge of Tarrant County, Texas[50]
References
- "GRAND PRAIRIE H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- "Population, Texas Cities". Texas State Library. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=32754470&x=-97003420&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2
- "1953 Grand Prairie High School Yearbook". www.classmates.com. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
- "Handbook of Texas Online, University of North Texas College of Music". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- "2009–2010 Academic Excellence Indicator System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
- "2010 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011.
- "2011 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency.
- "UIL Team Debate State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
- "1989–90 State Academic Meet Results – Calculator Applications". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1992–93 State Academic Meet Results – Current Issues & Events". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1993–94 State Academic Meet Results – Current Issues & Events". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "2001–02 State Academic Meet Results – Poetry Interpretation". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "State Academic Meet Results Database". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "UIL Boys Track & Field State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- "UIL Boys Track & Field State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- "UIL Boys Track & Field State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- "1987 State Track Meet Results – 100/110 Hurdles". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
- "1987 State Track Meet Results – 100m". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1987 State Track Meet Results – 200m". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1994–95 Baseball Playoff Results". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
- "1997 State Track Meet Results – High Jump". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1999 State Track Meet Results – 300 Hurdles". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "UIL State Wrestling Meet Records". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "Unknown title", NFL Rostrum, National Forensic League, September 1, 1993
- "NFL Rostrum – September 2000" (PDF). National Forensic League. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "NFL Nationals Results - 2012" (PDF). National Forensic League. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- "NSDA Nationals Results - 2017" (PDF). National Speech and Debate Association. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- "2009 TFA State Results - Duo Interpretation" (PDF). Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
- "2011 TFA State Results". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
- "2011 TFA State Results". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "2012 TFA State Results". Texas Forensic Association. Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- "2012 TFA State Results - Duet Acting". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
- "2017 TFA State Results - Dramatic Interpretation". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- "TSSEC Outstanding Performers – Vocal". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
- "1990–91 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on June 15, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1993–94 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on June 14, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "1994–95 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "2001–02 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- "2015-16 Mariachi Festival Pilot Outstanding Performers" (PDF). University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- "Outstanding Young Texas Exes Current Recipients". University of Texas at Austin. Archived from the original on May 30, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "NASA Johnson Space Center oral history project" (PDF). www.jsc.nasa.gov. October 18, 2000.
- "Sixth Texas Hall Of Fame Class Named". trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- "Grand Prairie Mayor Charles England wants slot machines at Lone Star Park". Dallas News. July 18, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- "Lonnie Hannah, disabled tennis, sled hockey champion, at Lakeshore to 'give back'". AL.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- Schneider, Greg (September 19, 2000). "With Test, Boeing Strikes First". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- "Jack Sanders | The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon". cas.uoregon.edu. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- Desk, BWW News. "Charlotte St. Martin Named President of The Broadway League". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- "Kerry Wood Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- "The Hon. B. Glen Whitley". NACo. Retrieved October 23, 2017.