East High School (Des Moines)

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East High School
Established	1861
Type	Public Secondary
Principal	Mike Zelenovich
Students	2,115^[1]
Grades	9–12
Location	815 E 13th Street, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
District	Des Moines Public Schools
Campus	Urban
Colors	Red and Black
Website	dmps.k12.ia.us/schools/3East/

East High School, usually referred to simply as East, is a secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. East was the third largest high school in Iowa with 2,115 students, following Lincoln and West in Davenport as of the 2005-2006 school year. East is also the oldest high school in the Des Moines metro, part of the Des Moines Public Schools district.

1 History
2 Campus
3 Students
- 3.1 Enrollment Figures
4 Curriculum
5 Achievements
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History

East was originally established in 1861,^[2] but the current school building was not built until 1911. A new student center was added in 1955, building a brand-new gymnasium, band and tech rooms, and a new cafeteria (which has since been replaced). The South Wing, which houses the school's library, was built in 1968, and the North Wing addition followed in 1973. A renovation of this building was completed January 4, 2006.

[edit] Campus

East High is located on East 14th Street (also known as US Highway 69) in Des Moines. It is also close to Interstate 235. A satellite building located a block away at 1421 Walker Street was used to hold 9th-grade classes from 2003-2005, during a $23 million renovation. The school's cafeteria was also housed in the Walker Street building during this time. The Walker Street building is now the temporary location of May Goodrell Middle School while that school undergoes renovation. There is ample grass-covered recreation space, as well as parking, to the west and north of the mail building.

While the East High building is actually one large building, it is divided into six separate buildings-

Main Building (1912, renovated 2005). Four stories high, the first floor houses Special Education, Speech, Foreign Language, and Home Economics classes. The second floor is home to the auditorium, counselours offices, and History and Drama classes. The third floor houses all freshmen English and math classes and the journalism department. Two science labs are also on this floor, but directly connected to the The fourth floor holds the art rooms and Special Education classes. Before a 2005 renovation, these floors were known as the basement, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors.
East Wing (1955). Home to the main gymasium, the weight room, and Technology Education classes.
North Wing (1968)- The second floor holds Mathematics classrooms, and the third floor is Economics and Computer Sciences. No first floor.
South Wing (1973, renovated 2003)- The first two floors are occupied by the East High Library, while English classrooms take up the whole of the third floor.
Connector Building (2005)- The first floor, also known as the student center, houses offices and the cafeteria. The second floor is home to more History classes, while all the schools' Science classes are on the third floor.
Performing Arts Wing (2006)- Newest building, home to Band and Orchestra rooms and an auxiliary gymnasium.

[edit] Students

As of the 2005-2006 school year, there are 2,115 students^[1] enrolled at East, which makes the school one of the largest in Iowa (Lincoln High ranks above East with 2,126 students). 65.8% of the student body is White (European-American) descent^[3] (down from 66.7% in the 2004-2005 school year^[4]). The leading ethnic group by enrollment is that of African-American (Black) descent, and they are followed by Latino, Asian, and Indian (Native American or Alaskan Native).^[3]

[edit] Enrollment Figures

Year	Total	Seniors (12th grade)	Juniors (11th grade)	Sophomores (10th grade)	Freshmen (9th grade)
2005-2006^[1]	2,115	357	419	559	780
2004-2005^[5]	2,125	384	384	592	765
2003-2004^[5]	1,970	302	438	496	734
2002-2003^[5]	1,841	319	359	497	666

[edit] Curriculum

The school day is split into seven periods of course instruction, with the fourth period being the longest to allow everyone a chance to take a short lunch break. The school district requires that students take a number of core academic courses, if they wish to graduate and receive a diploma. This includes Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, and Physical Education. The exact amount of academic credit needed to satisfy graduation requirements is determined by the school district.

All students are required by the district to enroll in four subject courses and a Physical Education course. However, the school compels Freshman and Sophomore students to schedule a full day of classes, in order to ensure satisfaction with district graduation requirements. Juniors and Seniors have the option of having an "open period" during the first or last period of the school day (Seniors may have open periods during any period). However, Juniors require parental permission to have an open period.

The district requires four years of Physical Education. Freshmen and sophomores usually take their P.E. courses at the school. Juniors and Seniors have the option of taking alternative P.E. programs.

[edit] Achievements

The East High Softball Team won the 2006 state championship. In 1994, they were the State Runner-Up.
The East High Girl's Basketball team was the 1979 state champions. In 2005 they were honored at the last state basketball tournament in Veteran's Auditorium as one of the greatest girls basketball teams in Iowa's history.
Dancer Dulcie Scholes graduated from East High in 1936. While 89 years old, she remains in great physical health, doing a cartwheel for her grandchildren at the age of 75. All members of class of 1936 contact her grandson at foxconnect@gmail.com to get in touch with Dulcie.
The East High Scarlet Color Guard has been a contender at the Iowa State Dance Team Championships (www.isdta.net) the past 4 years. Directed by Michelle Eggleston and choreographed by Pete Trimble, they have earned the following placements in Class III Color Guard:
2005-4th place - show title "Burn"
2006-5th place - show title "Accidentally In Love"
2007-2nd place - show title "Angel 9/11"
2008-2nd place - show title "Wanted:Dead Or Alive"
Additionally, the Scarlet Guard has competed at the Oskaloosa Color Guard Invitational, winning the Scholastic A class in 2005 and 2nd place in 2006, and hosts the annual Scarlet Color Guard Invitational.