East High School (Des Moines)

Infobox Secondary school
name = East High School
principal = Mike Zelenovich
type = Public Secondary
established = 1861
grades = 9–12
enrollment = 2,115cite paper | author=Des Moines Public Schools | title=Enrollment Report as of September 16, 2005 | date=2005 | url=http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/facts/6Enrollment2005.pdf ]
colors = Red and Black
address = 815 E 13th Street
website = [http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/schools/3East/ dmps.k12.ia.us/schools/3East/]
city = Des Moines
state = Iowa
country = USA
campus = Urban
district = Des Moines Public Schools

seealso|East High School "for schools of the same name"

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.

History

East was originally established in 1861,cite web | title=History of East High School | url=http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/schools/3East/history.htm | accessmonthday=April 10 | accessyear=2006 ] 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.

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. There is ample grass-covered recreation space, as well as parking, to the west and north of the main building. There is a annex a block away from the main campus.

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 general English and Math classes. 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 counseling offices, 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.

*Walker Building Annex- Beginning in the 08-09 school year, all freshmen classes were moved to the Walker Annex, located 1 block away from the main campus. Freshmen attend physical education, chorus, band, and orchesta classes on the main campus, but attend their basic science, math, English, and history courses in the Walker building. This was done so there would be more space on the main campus. This was also done so that the freshmen could adjust to high school life without jumping right into the large campus.

tudents

As of the 2005-2006 school year, there are 2,115 students 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") descentcite paper | author=Des Moines Public Schools | title=Minority Enrollment Report as of September 16, 2005 | date=2005 | url=http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/facts/6EnrollmentMinority2005.pdf ] (down from 66.7% in the 2004-2005 school yearcite paper | author=Des Moines Public Schools | title=Minority Enrollment Report as of September 17, 2004 | date=2004 | url=http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/facts/6EnrollmentMinority2004.pdf ] ). 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").

Enrollment Figures

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. Seniors have the option of having an "open period" during the first or last period of the school day . 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.

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 [e-mail] 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.
*In 1988, Kurt Lightner won the individual 3-A State Cross Country Championship in his first year out for the sport.

ee also

* East High School (disambiguation) for other schools by the same name.
* Des Moines Public Schools for other schools in the same district.

References

External links

* [http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/ Des Moines Public Schools Homepage]
* [http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/schools/3East/ East High School Homepage]