Kalamazoo Central High School

Kalamazoo Central High School is a public high school in Kalamazoo, Michigan serving students from ninth through twelfth grades. It was the first public high school in Michigan. It began operating in 1858 and graduated its first class of five men and three women in 1859. It moved to its current location in 1972. It is rated Class A by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). On May 4, 2010, the White House announced that Central High had won the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge and that President Barack Obama would deliver the school’s 2010 commencement address.[3]

Kalamazoo Central High School
Address
2432 North Drake Road

Kalamazoo
,
Michigan
49009

United States
Coordinates42°18′57″N 85°38′49″W
Information
School typepublic high school
Motto“Every child, every opportunity, every time.”
Founded1858
School districtKalamazoo Public Schools
PrincipalValerie Boggan
Teaching staff82.54 (on a FTE basis)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,675 (2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio20.29[1]
Color(s)Maroon and White   
Athletics conferenceSouthwest Michigan Athletic Conference
NicknameMaroon Giants
Websitewww.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Schools/HighSchools/KalamazooCentralHS.aspx
[2]

Kalamazoo Central students are eligible for the Kalamazoo Promise, which provides reduced or free college tuition for students attending public colleges in Michigan.

History
Old Central High School, 714 S. Westnedge

The first legal public high-school in Kalamazoo and in the state of Michigan began operating in 1858. The first class, consisting of five men and three women graduated in 1859.[4] Charles E. Stuart sued the Kalamazoo School Board in 1874 alleging that the school-board's use of taxpayer money to fund secondary education was unconstitutional (up until that point taxpayers money was only for elementary schools). The School Board prevailed, setting a precedent allowing publicly funded secondary education throughout the country.[5] In 1925 the school moved to the building currently known as Old Central High School at 714 South Westnedge.[6] On the fourth floor of the Old Central High School is currently located the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, or KAMSC. Following the largest graduating class of 799 students in 1960, some Central High School students transferred to the newly opened Loy Norrix High School in 1961. Central High School moved to its current location in 1972.[7]

After the introduction of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, the school along with the Kalamazoo Public Schools system was placed into the national spotlight highlighted with a Katie Couric visit. Enrollment in KPS has risen significantly, and the surrounding area has begun to find economic benefits.

Buddy Holly and the Crickets played a show in the Old Central High School Auditorium on April 28, 1958.[8]

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 1,595 students enrolled in 2013-14 was:

  • Male - 48.7%
  • Female - 51.3%
  • Native American/Alaskan - 0.6%
  • Asian/Pacific islanders - 2.4%
  • Black - 49.1%
  • Hispanic - 8.7%
  • White - 33.7%
  • Multiracial - 5.5%

64.6% of the students were eligible for free or reduced lunch.[2]

Student activities

The Choir program competes in the MSVMA (Michigan State Vocal Music Association).

The Mock Trial team took first place at Nationals in 1996.[9]

Athletics

Kalamazoo Central's Maroon Giants compete in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference. The school colors are maroon and white. The following MHSAA sanctioned sports are offered:[10]

  • Bowling (boys & girls)
  • Football (boys)
  • Baseball (boys)
  • Basketball (boys & girls)
    • Boys state champion - 1932, 1938, 1949, 1950, 1951, 2010, 2011[11]
  • Softball (girls)
  • Soccer (boys & girls)
  • Track (boys & girls)
    • Boys state champion - 1933, 1942, 1965[12]
  • Tennis (boys & girls)
    • Boys state champion - 1937[13]
    • Girls state champion - 1972[14]
  • Wrestling (boys)
  • Swimming and Diving (boys & girls)
  • Lacrosse (boys & girls) **
  • Ice hockey (boys) **
  • Volleyball (girls)
    • State champion - 1996[15]
  • Golf (boys & girls)
    • Boys state champion - 1939, 1940[16]
    • Girls state champion - 1994, 1995, 1996[17]
  • Cross-Country (boys & girls)
    • Boys state champion - 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930(tied), 1931, 1935, 1943, 1946, 1954[18]
  • Skiing (boys & girls)
  • Competitive cheer (girls)

**Kalamazoo United teams with Loy Norrix High School

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "Kalamazoo Central High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  2. "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Kalamazoo Central High School". ed.gov. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. White House Press Release
  4. Kalamazoo Central High School History 1885-1898 Archived January 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Michigan's Legal Milestones Archived December 7, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Kalamazoo Central High School History 1905-1948 Archived January 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Kalamazoo Central High School History 1951-1989 Archived November 5, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Buddy Holly". Songkick. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  9. "History and Winners". nationalmocktrial.org. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  10. "MHSAA > Schools". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  11. "Yearly Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  12. "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  13. "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  14. "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  15. "Yearly Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  16. "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  17. "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  18. "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  19. Ruel, Tony (September 4, 2009). "Kickers continue to change high school game". Muskegon Chronicle. MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  20. Morgan, Paul (March 14, 2011). "Don Boven remembered, respected as fierce competitor, gentle man". MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  21. Richardson, Anwar S. (November 26, 2012). "Detroit Lions' Jerome Harrison leans on 'Diamond' wife throughout recovery from brain tumor". MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  22. DeCaamp, Scott (April 5, 2011). "Former Kalamazoo Central standout Ron Jackson, Kalamazoo St. Augustine star Charles Muth nominees for 'Retro' Mr. Basketball". Kalamazoo Gazette. MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  23. Tomasson, Chris (October 24, 2013). "Vikings' Greg Jennings: I can play in NBA, LeBron James in NFL". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  24. "Jeter recalls day he and Rivera were sent down". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  25. Liberty, John (March 4, 2014). "'The Daily Show' debut: Watch Jon Stewart tell Kalamazoo native Jordan Klepper to 'go back to Crimea'". MLive.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  26. Calmes, Jackie (May 4, 2010). "Michigan High School Snags Obama as Speaker". New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  27. "Scott Rehberg". The Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  28. DeCamp, Scott (August 19, 2010). "Fits like a glove: Mike Squires still working in major league baseball, but rooted in Kalamazoo". MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  29. Thayer, Bill (May 5, 2015). "Frederick Smith Strong in Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy". Bill Thayer's Web Site. Chicago, IL: Bill Thayer. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  30. Gleason, Bucky (October 18, 1998). "Rebuilding his career". The Buffalo News. HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
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