Upper Dublin High School
| Upper Dublin High School | |
|---|---|
 The front of Upper Dublin High School | |
| Address | |
 | |
800 Loch Alsh Avenue , 19034 | |
| Coordinates | 40°09′10″N 75°11′56″W / 40.1528°N 75.1990°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Opened | 1955 |
| School district | Upper Dublin School District |
| Superintendent | Deborah Wheeler |
| CEEB code | 391415 |
| Principal | Robert Schultz |
| Faculty | 128 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,121[1] (October 1, 2007) |
| Color(s) | Cardinal Gray |
| Athletics | 14 Boys, 14 Girls |
| Athletics conference | PIAA District 1 |
| Mascot | Clyde the Cardinal |
| Team name | Cardinals |
| Rival | Wissahickon High School |
| Yearbook | Mundockian |
| Communities served | Upper Dublin Township |
| Feeder schools | Sandy Run Middle School |
| Website | Upper Dublin High School |
Upper Dublin High School is a four-year public high school located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the sole high school in the Upper Dublin School District.
Upper Dublin High School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.[2] In 2007, the school was named the No. 1 high school in Montgomery County by the Philadelphia Inquirer.[2] The school was also ranked No. 8 in Philadelphia Magazine's 100 Best Public and Private Schools.[2]
The high school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The school has a 99%+ graduation rate, and more than 95% of graduates continue on to a two or four-year college.[2] Upper Dublin High School is represented at each service academy and almost all top universities.[citation needed]
High school construction project
After months of deliberations, the school board decided to move forward and proposed to rebuild the high school. On March 20, 2007, the voters in Upper Dublin were presented with a referendum. They approved, despite the risk of a significant tax increase. Initial estimates of the new construction is $119 million. The construction was to occur in stages on the site of the current building and demolition of the oldest wing began in summer 2008. It was completed in the Summer of 2012, on time and within budget, and was formally opened with a ceremony in Fall 2012.
Educational Support Team
The Educational Support Team (EST) is a team of faculty members offering assistance to students who are having problems in school because of drug and alcohol use or because of depression or thoughts of suicide. The Team identifies, intervenes, and refers those students for help.
Community Study
Students in the senior class are provided with the opportunity to investigate career opportunities in the final three weeks of the year. Students are required to have a community sponsor, a faculty sponsor, at least a "C" average in each course, meet attendance requirements, and have committee approval in order to participate in the Community Study Program.
Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
Students at Upper Dublin High School have the option to attend the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, which is accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools. The campus is located in Willow Grove and is owned by nine school districts in Eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. They include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Upper Moreland Lower Moreland, Springfield, and Upper Dublin.
Programs taken at the Eastern Center are considered part of the high school program and count as elective credit toward graduation. They give students the opportunity to reinforce their career path after high school, get ready for employment, and get a head start in collegiate studies in that field.
Athletics
Upper Dublin High School is a AAAA and AAA member of the Suburban One American Conference of District 1 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), the state high school athletic governing body. The school has 14 male varsity sports and 13 female varsity sports recognized by PIAA. The school also has a cheerleading squad.
Removal of Huckleberry Finn from curriculum
Upper Dublin High School was the subject of controversy when in July 1996, then superintendent Dr. Clair Brown Jr. announced that Mark Twain's book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would be removed from the school's required reading list. Brown removed the book as an administrative action, claiming that parents and students had protested the inclusion of the book in the curriculum because its frequent use of the word "nigger" made "black children uncomfortable."[3]
Notable alumni
- Kim Gallagher (Class of 1982) – Sprinted 800 meters to a silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a bronze in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.[4]
- Suzy Kolber (Class of 1982) – ESPN "Monday Night Football" sideline reporter and host of "NASCAR Countdown."
- John Tartaglia (Class of 1996) – Tony Award nominee for Avenue Q and star of Disney Channel's Johnny and the Sprites.
- Zach Pfeffer (Class of 2013) – Midfielder, Philadelphia Union.[5]
- Josh Singer (Class of 1990) - Emmy nominated writer/script supervisor for "The West Wing", "Lie To Me", and "Fringe". Academy Award winning co-script writer for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on "Spotlight."
References
- ^ "PIAA – Schools – Directory – Upper Dublin High School". Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Upper Dublin: Points of Pride". Retrieved October 14, 2007.
- ^ Banned in the USA: A Reference Guide.
- ^ Mark Bloom (June 18, 1997). "Runner, heal thyself". New York Times. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
- ^ Marc Narducci (December 23, 2010). "Union sign Upper Dublin High player, 15". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
