William Allen High School

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William Allen High School

School type	Public
Established	1858
Principal	Keith R. Falko
Students	3,386
Mascot	Canary
Colors	Canary Yellow and Blue
Location	126 North 17th Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Website	William Allen High School web site

William Allen High School is one of two public high schools located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

The school, which is located at 126 North 17th Street, serves students from the western and southern parts of the city. Allentown's other public high school, Dieruff High School, serves students from the city's eastern and northern parts. Until Dieruff's opening in 1960, William Allen High School was known as Allentown High School.

With 3,386 students in the 2005-2006 school year, William Allen High School is the largest high school in the city of Allentown, the largest high school in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, and one of the largest high schools in the state of Pennsylvania.

A 2005 Newsweek article ranked William Allen High School 946th out of 27,468 public high schools on their "Best High Schools in America" list.

1 History
2 Academic honors
3 Athletics
- 3.1 Athletic honors
4 Notable alumni
5 Principals
6 External links

[edit] History

Allentown High School was first established in a building on South Penn Street in 1858. In 1869, the first commencement ceremony took place - three students graduated. A new high school was built in 1894 (which is now used as Central Elementary School) at Lumber and Turner Streets. In 1916, a new Allentown High School was opened at its current location on Seventeenth Street. The Annex and Little Palestra were built in 1930, and the Linden Street Wing was opened in 1957. The school was renamed William Allen High School in 1960. In 1975, a Library-Science Center was built on the site of the Little Palestra.

The school is named after William Allen, Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania and former mayor of Philadelphia. He founded the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1762.

[edit] Academic honors

2001:
- Second place, Scholastic Scrimmage (losing to Parkland High School in finals).
1992:
- First place, Scholastic Scrimmage (defeating Moravian Academy in finals).
1991:
- First place, Scholastic Scrimmage (defeating Emmaus High School in finals).
1988:
- Second place, Scholastic Scrimmage (losing to Parkland High School in the finals).
- Pennsylvania State Champions, Odyssey of the Mind ("structural problem").
- World Finals - Fourth place, Odyssey of the Mind ("structural problem").
1987:
- Pennsylvania State Champions, Odyssey of the Mind ("structural problem").
- World Finals - Second place, Odyssey of the Mind ("structural problem").
1986:
- Pennsylvania State Champions, Odyssey of the Mind ("structural problem").
- World Finals - 16th place, Odyssey of the Mind ("structural problem").

[edit] Athletics

William Allen is one of 12 high schools that compete in the Lehigh Valley Conference, which has produced an abundant number of NCAA Division I and professional athletes.

The school plays its home football and some of its soccer games at J. Birney Crum Stadium, a 15,000 capacity stadium in the city. Most of its indoor athletics are played in the school's William Allen H.S. Gymnasium (Also known as J. Milo Sewards Gymnasium). The school's primary athletic rivalry is with cross-town Dieruff High School.

[edit] Athletic honors

2006:
- First place, Lehigh Valley Conference Boys Basketball (26th time).
- First place, PA District XI AAAA Boys Basketball Champions (17th time).
2003:
- Second place, PA District XI AAAA Boys Basketball.
2002:
- First place, PA District XI AAAA Boys Basketball.
Historical:
- Five-time Pennsylvania State Boys Basketball Tournament Champions.
- One-time Pennsylvania State Girls Basketball Tournament Champions.