| Como Park Senior High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1979 |
| Principal | Daniel Mesick |
| Number of students | 1474 [1][2] |
| Mascot | Cougar |
| Information | (651) 293-8800 |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| Website | http://comosr.spps.org |
Como Park Senior High School (CPSHS or commonly known as CPHS) is a public high school located in the Lake Como area of Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving grades nine through twelve. Along with six other public high schools, Como Park comprises the Saint Paul Public Schools. Newsweek ranked the school in their "List of the Top High Schools in America" for the fourth time in five years (2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010).[3]
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Originally opened in 1957, Como Park Junior High School was converted into a senior high school in the fall of 1979, accepting students from the just closed Washington and Murray High Schools, both of which became junior highs that same year. The school originally began with only three classes - sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The freshmen class was added in 1980. Construction was not completed when the school year began.[4]
Como Park's average score on the ACT exam was 21.2 compared to a state average of 22.6 and a national average of 21.1.[5][6][7] 51.56% of students were considered proficient in reading while 22.08% were proficient in math. The school is currently meeting 83.9% of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements but is not meeting AYP due to low proficiency in mathematics. Como Park has a AYP graduation rate of 96%.[2]
Como Park is the fourth largest high school in the Saint Paul Public Schools district with 1474 students attending in the 2007-2008 school year.[1] The plurality of students identified as White, with 32%, while students identifying as Asian and Black composed 31% and 28% of the student body respectively. Finally, 8% of students identified as Hispanic and 1% American Indian. A little more than half, 65%, qualified for Free and Reduced Price Lunch, a measure of poverty. 35% of students have limited English Proficiency and 15% qualify for special education.[1][2]
Como Park offers classes for students hoping to excel in their studies, through Advanced Placement (AP) and CIS classes. In AP classes, students are given the opportunity to take the AP Exam in May to possibly earn college credit. College in the Schools (CIS) classes are vigorous classes similar to AP classes, however they are based on actual University of Minnesota curriculum. The classes are college-oriented and passing the class with a C or above allows students to earn college credit which can be transferred to the college of their choice.[8] There currently are only two CIS classes offered at Como Park: English (which encompasses of Literature (Intro to Literature) first semester and Composition (University Writing) second semester) and French. Como Park also offers various electives students can choose from. There are over 40 electives available.
Current AP classes offered to students:
Physics C was removed from the 2008-2009 school year curriculum due to very few students signing up for it, but it was reinstated in the 2009-2010 school year curriculum.
Como Park Senior High School has several student-organized and teacher-supervised student groups:
Anime Club, Asian Club, Chess Club, Cricket Club (CCC), Dance Team, Debate Team, Environmental Club, French Club, Fresh Force, Gay Straight Alliance, Hmong Woman's Circle, Latino Club, Math Team, Peer Mediation, Peer Mentoring, Robotics Club, Spanish Club, Speech Team, Student Government, Ultimate Frisbee (CAU), Yearbook Group, Young Democrats, Young Republicans.
Cougar athletic programs compete in Class AAAA of the Minnesota State High School League.[9]
Fall Sports:
Boys': Cross-Country, Football, Soccer
Girls': Cross-Country, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball
Winter Sports:
Boys': Basketball, Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Swimming, Wrestling
Girls: Basketball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Nordic Skiing
Spring Sports:
Boys': Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field
Girls': Badminton, Golf, Softball, Track & Field
| City Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Sport | Number of Championships | Year(s) |
| Fall | Football | 2 | 2007, 2009 |
| Soccer, Boys | 3 | 1992, 2000, 2009 | |
| Soccer, Girls | 1 | 2005 | |
| Tennis, Girls | 2 | 2007, 2009 | |
| Volleyball | 2 | 1979, 1994 | |
| Winter | Hockey, Boys | 2 | 2001, 2005 |
| Swimming, Boys | 5 | 1980, 1981, 1983, 1990, 1991 | |
| Wrestling | 10 | 1980, 1982, 1984, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 | |
| Spring | Badminton | 5 | 1980, 1982, 1998, 1999, 2002 |
| Baseball | 2 | 2005, 2007 | |
| Golf, Boys | 4 | 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 | |
| Softball | 3 | 2007, 2008, 2009 | |
| Tennis, Boys | 1 | 2006 | |
| Total | 42 | ||
The Boys Basketball team won Section Championships in 2003 and 2008. In 2003, Como took 3rd Place in the Class AAAA State Tournament. In 2008, Como lost in the Quarterfinal game of the Class AAAA State Tournament.
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