Kalamazoo Central High School
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| Kalamazoo Central High School | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Kalamazoo, Michigan | |
| Information | |
| School district | Kalamazoo Public Schools |
| Principal | Von Washington Jr. |
| Enrollment |
1450 (2007) |
| School type | public high school |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Language | English |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Homepage | http://www.kcentralgiants.com/ |
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 Kalamazoo. 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).
Contents |
[edit] History
The first legal public high-school in Kalamazoo, and in the state of Michigan began operating in 1858, and graduated its first class, consisting of five men and three women, in 1859.[1] 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 through the country.[2] In 1925, the school moved to the building currently known as Old Central High School.[3] 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.[4]
After the introduction of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, the school (and the Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) system) was thrown into the national spotlight. Enrollment in KPS has risen significantly, and the surrounding area has reaped many other benefits.
[edit] Student activities
The Kalamazoo Central Debate Society went to the 2008 MIFA (Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association) State Debate Finals and placed S. Boehme in the top ten. The team has placed at every W.M.L.D.L. competition and is a rising force in Michigan Legislative Debate. Other notable debaters who have received high marks are A. Dubois, A. Muhammad, C. Burkey and C. Milliman.
The Choir program, under the direction of Mr. F. Colgren, is a state-recognized choir and competes in the MSVMA (Michigan State Vocal Music Association) competitions and consistently receive top ratings. At the 2007 Solo and Ensemble, the choir combined for over 15 level I ratings. They also have had members involved in State Honors Choir, the SWMVF Honors Choir that performs at Miller Aud.
The Marching Band, under the direction of Mr. D. Stout, experiences success at local competitions, and in 2006 ranked first in a national competition at Walt Disney World. The Concert Band, also directed by Stout, has recently excelled in MSBOA (Michigan State Band & Orchestra Association) competition, receiving top marks. This years marching band show, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Wicked Witch of the West has placed second at the Hastings Band Competition, and second at the Ostego Competition in Class A (receiving second overall).
The Mock Trial team, currently coached by Ms. M. Griffith, is one of Kalamazoo Central's most distinguished groups. The team has represented its state at the National Competition sixteen times (as of 2008), more than any other school in the country. The team took first place at Nationals in 1996 under the coaching of Ms. S. Ransford, and second in 2006 and 2007
A new tradition of Kalamazoo Central is also beginning to get underway, Forensics. During the late 80s and the 90s, the KC Forensics Team, headed by Mr. G. Chandler was a national caliber team and took 6 of 14 I.E. events in the year 1999 at the State Championship. The tradition continues under the new direction of Mr. C. Bullmer, who has also started a Debate Society. This past year, S. Boehme attended the MIFA Forensics I.E. Finals and placed 5th in Impromptu 9/10.
The Kalamazoo Central Activists for Action was awarded the 2008 STAR Youth Volunteer Group of the Year.
[edit] Notable alumni/staff
- Don Boven, NBA basketball player
- Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns football player
- Bill Haveman, Michigan's last high school champion in the javelin throw; set Class-A record of 53.92 meters (1931 MHSAA finals)
- Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers football player
- Derek Jeter (1992), New York Yankees baseball player, member High School Athletic Hall of Fame
- James McDivitt (1947), NASA astronaut[3]
- Kurt Thoroughman, Biomedical Engineering professor
