East Kentwood High School
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East Kentwood High School is a public high school located just outside the city of Kentwood, Michigan in the United States. It is part of the Kentwood Public Schools district, working together with the Crossroads High School, an 'alternative learning center'. The school has achieved Blue Ribbon Exemplary School status. East Kentwood, or EKHS, as the school is often abbreviated, is the second largest high school in Michigan. When the new Ann Arbor high school opens in 2008, EKHS will become the largest high school in Michigan. Due to the amount of students in the main building, safety has become an issue. Private security officers patrol the halls, and classes are dismissed on a staggered basis during lunches to prevent the overcrowding of the halls. Starting in January of 2007, students and teachers were required to wear lanyards with ID's to provide better security throughout the campus. Since the new policy was instituted, students say they feel safer because security can identify and report anyone who is not authorized to be on campus.
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[edit] History
East Kentwood High School was built in 1969. Since then it has undergone numerous renovations, including the addition of the West Wing in 1975 and the construction of the Freshman Campus in 1994. Further construction was done in 1983, 1986, and 1994. The 1994 project included a renovation of the Fieldhouse and expansion of the West Wing, which involved adding several new science classrooms. During 1983 or 1986 a south corridor was completed to shelter students crossing each wing. East Kentwood is the only public school in the state of Michigan to have its own Ice Arena on campus; East Kentwood also has its own competitive and community swimming pools, and a 1,600-seat Fine Arts Auditorium.
The original Kentwood high school, which is now known as Crestwood Middle School, opened in 1960. When the new high school was built in 1969, it was named "East" Kentwood because there were plans to eventually build a second high school, which would have been known as "West" Kentwood, a few years later. West Kentwood would have built on the same physical campus as East Kentwood. As mentioned above, when the first vote for a second high school was turned down in the early 1970s, that lead to the building of East Kentwood's first swimming pool as well as what was referred to as the Freshman wing. To this day, talks of building a second high school periodcially resurface...only to be turned down in favor of the economies of scale that running one large high school bring. Thus, East Kentwood continues to grow and West Kentwood remains the answer to a trivia question.
In the fall of 2007, East Kentwood will become the largest high school, in terms of student enrollment, in the state of Michigan.
[edit] 2003 Renovation (Latest)
In 2003 a $85.5 million bond was passed that allowed new construction at the High School Campus. A new athletic stadium was built with a capacity of over 7,500 along with a new 38 meter pool and a 75 foot community pool. Further work was done at the Freshman Campus to build it out to the supportable core of 1,450 students with the moving of office and support staff to a new highly visible wing, and renovation of the previous office space with 6 classrooms and adding onto the existing classroom wings with 10 rooms. Additional work was done at the 10-12 main campus with the addition of more performing arts space including new practice rooms along with work at the auditorium with more dressing rooms, staging areas, and a new lighting and sound system. Furthermore the seating was also refurnished.
Another major project was the expansion of the east wing cafeteria and renovation of classrooms in that wing. The circle drive that has been a mainstay of the school was removed with a new corridor built to link the west and east wings. The new corridor also puts a large commons area in front of the school with the pools, field house, and auditorium on each side. This hallway added 6 entrances, which is twice as many as before, along with creating two courtyards. Beyond the front of the school work the art department was given a remodel which includes a new art gallery. Along with all of this new carpeting has been placed throught the school. Furthermore, a south side road was placed between the school and the practice fields along with a possible storage facility was added between the new south road and the field house. A renovation of the softball and baseball diamonds was also done then which included new home plate structures, scoreboards, and permament bleachers.
[edit] Diversity
East Kentwood High School has a student population of over 2,900 students. Over 900 of them are in the Freshman Campus while sophomores, juniors, and seniors are in the 10-12 building.
There is a healthy percentage of diversity within EKHS. 62.9% of the student body is Caucasian, 24.4% African American, 6.4% Asian American, 5.6% Hispanic, and 0.4% Native American and 0.3% Multi-racial. School Matters Info On East Kentwood High School, 2005 Info.
92% of Kentwood Public Schools parents, 96% of staff, and 85% of students believe it is important to attend a school in a culturally diverse community, such as Kentwood. 1
East Kentwood students represent over 23 different countries and 18 languages.
[edit] Curriculum
East Kentwood offers 11 Advanced Placement courses; more than any other school district in the area 1. Those courses include AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Economics, AP English, AP Government, AP Latin, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, and AP U.S. History.
Perfomance overview of the school system [1]
Students are exposed to a variety of coursework through requirements in life skills, science, math, English, and technology. Unique classes, such as aviation technology and A+ Certification, provide real-world experience and application.
The recent Michigan graduation requirements passed by Lansing will require an updated class requirements for the 2011 class and then additional requirement for the 2016 class, although it appears they may be moving towards those goals sooner. From the 05-06 course catalog little change in requirements has occurred. English went from 3.5 years to 3 years, Math, History/Government/Economics (Social Science), and Science are still 2 years, Humanties (Art, Foreign Language, World History, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Acting, Public Speaking) and Life Skills (Business, Technology, and Life Management) are still 1 year. Physical Education, however, went from 2 years to just 1 year. Elective amounts have gone up and down as the school went from a straight 6 hours back in 1999, to the block scheduling in 2005. In 2006, the school went to trimester scheduling, allowing students to take more electives than ever.
[edit] Opportunities
EKHS has one of Michigan's largest high school marching bands. In 2004, EK had the largest high school marching band in the state, with over 350 members. EK has one the top jazz programs in the state, frequently posting top results in area and state jazz competitions. In addition, Kentwood has a Summer Stock Theatre Program that involves children in grades kindergarten to 12. 147 students were represented in the most recent production.
The dual enrollment program allows students to augment their curriculum by taking classes through local colleges and universities. In 2006, in partnership with Grand Valley State University, an introduction to nursing course has been brought on campus.
The AP Government class offers students the opportunity to compete in competitions over governmental issues. The EK team has won the state competition several times since its existence, and they remain a quality team through the leadership of teachers and upperclassmen.
[edit] Clubs
East Kentwood offers these clubs: Animation Club, ESL Support Group, DECA Club, Equestrian Club, French Club, German Club, International/Multicultural Club, Latin Club, Literary/Poetry Club, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, SADD, Science Olympiad, Shakespeare Club, Ski Club, Spanish Club, STAR, Teen Institute, Y.E.S., Young Democrats, Young Republicans, Model United Nations, and First Priority.
[edit] Competition Teams
School colors are red and black and school mascot is the falcon. East Kentwood High School competes in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red Division. In the 2005-2006 school year, the AP Government class won the state Championship in the "We the People" contest, and went to the National competition in Washington D.C., along with state championship in the 1999-2000 school year. The athletic teams have routinely won Conference titles and most sports have been in the MHSAA Playoffs.
[edit] Championships
| Year | Sport | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Boys MITCA Track | Champion |
| Girls MITCA Track | Runner Up | |
| Volleyball | Champion | |
| 2005 | Ice Hockey | Runner Up |
| 2004 | Volleyball | Runner Up |
| Competitive cheer | Runner Up | |
| 2002 | Football | Runner Up |
| 2001 | Boys Golf | Champion |
| 2000 | Volleyball | Champion |
| Gymnastics | Champion | |
| 1999 | Ice Hockey | Runner Up |
| 1997 | Boys Water Polo | Runner Up |
| 1990 | Ice Hockey | Champion |
| Volleyball | Champion | |
| 1996 | Ice Hockey | Runner Up |
| 1989 | Boys Swimming & Diving | Champion |
| 1988 | Boys Swimming & Diving | Runner Up |
| 1986 | Boys Swimming & Diving | Runner Up |
| 1985 | Boys Swimming & Diving | Runner Up |
| 1983 | Boys Swimming & Diving | Champion |
| Volleyball | Runner Up | |
| 1982 | Gymnastics | Champion |
| 1981 | Gymnastics | Runner Up |
| 1980 | Gymnastics | Champion |
| 1978 | Baseball | Runner Up |
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Mike Knuble, NHL hockey player
- Loy Vaught, NBA basketball player
- Kurt Anes, NFL football player (retired)
- Kathleen J. Wall, Attorney at Law
- Mark "Andrew" Baculy, WRC Professional rally driver and 2006 24 Hours Nürburgring podium finish
