Summary
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.[4]
| Kalamazoo Central High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
2432 North Drake Road , 49009 | |
| Coordinates | 42°18′57″N 85°38′49″W / 42.3157°N 85.647°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public high school |
| Founded | 1858 |
| School district | Kalamazoo Public Schools |
| Principal | Valerie Boggan |
| Teaching staff | 82.54 (on a FTE basis)[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,675 (2018–19)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 20.29[1] |
| Color(s) | Maroon and white |
| Athletics conference | Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference |
| Nickname | Maroon Giants |
| Website | www |
| [2] | |
| Student assessments | |
|---|---|
2021–22 school year[3] Change vs. prior year[3] | |
| M-STEP 11th grade proficiency rates (Science / Social Studies) | |
| Advanced % | 16.0 / 12.5 |
| Proficient % | 21.9 / 22.2 |
| PR. Proficient % | 10.8 / 45.8 |
| Not Proficient % | 51.4 / 19.4 |
| Average test scores | |
| SAT Total | 935.3 (  −120.1) |
Kalamazoo Central students are eligible for the Kalamazoo Promise, which provides reduced or free college tuition for students attending public colleges in Michigan.[5]
History edit
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.[6] 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.[7] In 1925 the school moved to the building currently known as Old Central High School at 714 South Westnedge.[8] 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.[9]
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.[10]
Demographics edit
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 edit
The Choir program competes in the MSVMA (Michigan State Vocal Music Association).
The Mock Trial team took first place at Nationals in 1996.[11]
Athletics edit
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:[12]
- Bowling (boys & girls)
- Football (boys)
- Baseball (boys)
- Basketball (boys & girls)
- Boys state champion - 1932, 1938, 1949, 1950, 1951, 2010, 2011[13]
- Softball (girls)
- Soccer (boys & girls)
- Track (boys & girls)
- Boys state champion - 1933, 1942, 1965[14]
- Tennis (boys & girls)
- Wrestling (boys)
- Swimming and Diving (boys & girls)
- Lacrosse (boys & girls) **
- Ice hockey (boys) **
- Volleyball (girls)
- State champion - 1996[17]
- Golf (boys & girls)
- Cross-Country (boys & girls)
- Boys state champion - 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930(tied), 1931, 1935, 1943, 1946, 1950, 1954[20]
- Skiing (boys & girls)
- Competitive cheer (girls)
**Kalamazoo United teams with Loy Norrix High School
Notable alumni edit
- Neil Berry, former MLB player (Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles)[21]
- Don Boven, NBA basketball player[22]
- Jerome Harrison, former NFL running back (Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions)[23]
- Ron Jackson, former MLB player (Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox)[24]
- Greg Jennings, former NFL wide receiver (Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings) football player, Super Bowl champion[25]
- Derek Jeter (1992), Captain of the New York Yankees (2003–2014), five-time World Series champion and fourteen time All-Star, member High School Athletic Hall of Fame[26]
- Jordan Klepper, comedian[27]
- Danny Lewis (born 1970), American-English basketball player
- Isaiah Livers, NBA player for the Detroit Pistons
- James McDivitt (1947), NASA astronaut[28]
- Charles A. Pratt (1928), first Black judge in Kalamazoo County[29]
- Scott Rehberg (1992), former NFL player (New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals)[30]
- Mike Squires, Major League Baseball player[31]
- Frederick S. Strong, US Army major general[32]
- Kurt Thoroughman, professor of biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis[citation needed]
- Dorothy B. Waage, numismatist
- Duane Young, San Diego Chargers football player[33]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Kalamazoo Central High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Kalamazoo Central High School". ed.gov. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ a b "MI School Data Annual Education Report". MI School Data. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
- ^ "White House Press Release", whitehouse.gov, 4 May 2010 – via National Archives
- ^ John, Doctor; Hudson, Donte (September 1, 2023). "Deep Dive w/ Dr. John EP 023- Alumni Series: Tony Mitchell". kalamazoopromise.com. The Kalamazoo Promise. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ Kalamazoo Central High School History 1885-1898 Archived January 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Michigan's Legal Milestones Archived December 7, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kalamazoo Central High School History 1905-1948 Archived January 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kalamazoo Central High School History 1951-1989 Archived November 5, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Buddy Holly". Songkick. 2 February 1959. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "History and Winners". nationalmocktrial.org. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "MHSAA > Schools". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Yearly Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Yearly Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Team Champions". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ "MHSAA Record Book". mhsaa.com. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ Ruel, Tony (September 4, 2009). "Kickers continue to change high school game". Muskegon Chronicle. MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- ^ Morgan, Paul (March 14, 2011). "Don Boven remembered, respected as fierce competitor, gentle man". MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- ^ Richardson, Anwar S. (November 26, 2012). "Detroit Lions' Jerome Harrison leans on 'Diamond' wife throughout recovery from brain tumor". MLive. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Jeter recalls day he and Rivera were sent down". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Calmes, Jackie (May 4, 2010). "Michigan High School Snags Obama as Speaker". New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- ^ Gage, Ryan (January 2023). "Pratt, Charles A." Kalamazoo Public Library. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ^ "Scott Rehberg". The Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
External links edit
- Kalamazoo Central High School official site