The city's only public high school, George Rogers Clark High School opened in the fall of 1963, consolidating the Clark County High School and Winchester High School locally referred to as county high and city high respectively. The school has a strong record in athletics, celebrating state championships in numerous sports. The boy's basketball team (County) won the 1951 Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) state title under head coach Letcher Norton. In 1991, the football team won the KHSAA Class AAAA state championship, while the girl's track and field team won the KHSAA Class AAA state title. In 1999, the boy's golf team finished as runner-up in the state tournament, and continues to make noise in the golf community, with several of its 1999 team members moving on to college golf and semi-pro golf. The most recent addition to GRC Athletics is the boys and girls swim team, which competed in its first season during the 2005-2006 school year.
Another very successful team is the Red and White Varsity Cheerleading Squad. The Red Varsity squad was seen as the main squad. This squad cheered at more games and many competitions. These girls were more flexible and could do more difficult stunts. The White Varsity squad also cheered at games and competitions. Red and White were very successful, winning Eleven State Titles in: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, and 1995 as so as White Varsity. Both Red and White were both considered in the "Large Varsity" division. The squad also typically attends the NCA competition in Dallas, TX, where they have placed numerous times as well. In 2008 the GRC cheerleader's no longer have a Red or White Varsity, they now had a "Super Varsity", which means there is no longer two teams, there is only one big one. Their motto is "We Are One". In 2009 they attended the UCA competition in Orlando and was ranked 14th in the nation. The 2009-2010 school year is looking forward to a slightly smaller squad. It will be a "Large Varsity" team. Now they have added back the Junior Varsity team which was previously excluded in 1999. The varsity team has 6 uniforms. These uniforms were from Red Varsity and White Varsity since both teams shared the same uniforms. The most famous is the "Red Cardinal" which is a solid white tank and skirt, black under shirt, and a red cardinal head on the tank. "Red Cardinal" is mostly worn at football games. There are three additional uniforms with "GRC" on it in different styles and the one they wear for competitions and championship games is black and has a red "C" in the background and in the foreground are the words "Cards" this is mostly worn at basketball games. The last one is black and has the word "Cardinals" going horizontally across the chest and three red stripes going down the rib cage and on the body suite. Their uniforms are made by Varsity Brands. In February 2010, the GRC Varsity won 4th place in Large Varsity Division II at the National High School Cheerleading Championship, the following week, they placed 3rd in state competition in Large Varsity. In 2010-2011 school year they competed in Nationals at the Medium Varsity Division I level place 10th and Medium in state and placing 3rd.
The schools' band program is also very successful. The George Rogers Clark High School Marching Band is regarded as one of the region’s top marching bands and has enjoyed a tradition of excellence since the school’s opening in the mid 1960’s. The band currently has an enrollment of more than 100 members. GRC is known as a formidable competitor in such venues as Bands of America, The Contest of Champions, and Kentucky Music Educators Association Sanctioned Contests. The following list highlights some of the band’s more notable accomplishments:
The central focus of the George Rogers Clark High School Band Program is its outstanding symphonic/concert bands. Students are taught fundamental musicianship and are exposed to both standard and modern repertoire. Master Classes are offered during the school day once a week for each instrument. Private lessons, chamber music, and solo opportunities are also offered. The GRC Symphonic Band has consistently earned distinguished ratings at KMEA sanctioned Concert Festivals. The GRC Symphonic Band has performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois (1977) and has competed in Bands of America and National Adjudicators Invitational Concert Festivals. Accomplishments include:
Distinguished Ratings, K.M.E.A. Concert Band Assessment, University of Ky - 1998, 2001, 2002, and 2003 First Place, Six Flags Over St. Louis Concert Band Festival - 1997 First Place, Dixie Classic Concert Band Festival - 1996 Midwest Band Clinic Performance, Chicago - 1977 Mideast Band Clinic Performance, Pittsburgh - 1974
While it is not a sport recognized by the KHSAA, cheerleading is popular and very competitive at George Rogers Clark. In 2006, the cheerleading team captured its fourth straight Kentucky Association of Prep Organization Sponsors (KAPOS) state championship. The squad has won 11 of the last 12 state championships in the traditional at-large category.