Kalamazoo Central High School Explained

Kalamazoo Central High School
Streetaddress:2432 North Drake Road
Zipcode:49009
Principal:Valerie Boggan
Grades:9-12
Nickname:Maroon Giants
Colors:Maroon and white
Founded:1858
Enrollment:1,675 (2018–19)[1]
Teaching Staff:82.54 (on a FTE basis)
Ratio:20.29
Footnotes:[2]
Year:2021–22
M-Step Advanced:16.0 / 12.5
M-Step Proficient:21.9 / 22.2
M-Step Pr Proficient:10.8 / 45.8
M-Step Not Proficient:51.4 / 19.4
Sat Total:935.3
Sat Total Change:-120.1
Ref:[3]

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 Michigan. 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). On May 4, 2010, the White House announced that Central High had won the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge and that President Barack Obama would deliver the school’s 2010 commencement address.

Kalamazoo Central students are eligible for the Kalamazoo Promise, which provides reduced or free college tuition for students attending public colleges in Michigan.[4]

History

The first legal public high-school in Kalamazoo and in the state of Michigan began operating in 1858. The first class, consisting of five men and three women graduated in 1859.[5] 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 throughout the country.[6] In 1925 the school moved to the building currently known as Old Central High School at 714 South Westnedge.[7] 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.[8]

After the introduction of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, the school along with the Kalamazoo Public Schools system was placed into the national spotlight highlighted with a Katie Couric visit. Enrollment in KPS has risen significantly, and the surrounding area has begun to find economic benefits.

Buddy Holly and the Crickets played a show in the Old Central High School Auditorium on April 28, 1958.[9]

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 1,595 students enrolled in 2013-14 was:

64.6% of the students were eligible for free or reduced lunch.[2]

Student activities

The Choir program competes in the MSVMA (Michigan State Vocal Music Association).

The Mock Trial team took first place at Nationals in 1996.[10]

Athletics

Kalamazoo Central's Maroon Giants compete in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference. The school colors are maroon and white. The following MHSAA sanctioned sports are offered:[11]

**Kalamazoo United teams with Loy Norrix High School

Notable alumni

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kalamazoo Central High School. National Center for Education Statistics. May 15, 2020.
  2. Web site: Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Kalamazoo Central High School. ed.gov. 1 February 2016.
  3. Web site: MI School Data Annual Education Report. MI School Data. 2023-01-10.
  4. Web site: Deep Dive w/ Dr. John EP 023- Alumni Series: Tony Mitchell . John . Doctor . Hudson . Donte . September 1, 2023 . kalamazoopromise.com . The Kalamazoo Promise . 2023-11-03.
  5. http://www.kcentralgiants.com/1885-1898.shtml Kalamazoo Central High School History 1885-1898
  6. http://www.courts.michigan.gov/lc-gallery/mich-milestones.htm Michigan's Legal Milestones
  7. http://www.kcentralgiants.com/1905-1948.shtml Kalamazoo Central High School History 1905-1948
  8. http://www.kcentralgiants.com/1951-1989.shtml Kalamazoo Central High School History 1951-1989
  9. Web site: Buddy Holly. Songkick. 2 February 1959 . 1 February 2016.
  10. Web site: History and Winners. nationalmocktrial.org. 1 February 2016.
  11. Web site: MHSAA > Schools. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  12. Web site: Yearly Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  13. Web site: Team Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  14. Web site: Team Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  15. Web site: Team Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  16. Web site: Yearly Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  17. Web site: Team Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  18. Web site: Team Champions. mhsaa.com. 1 February 2016.
  19. Web site: MHSAA Record Book . mhsaa.com . 2022-11-22.
  20. News: Ruel. Tony. Kickers continue to change high school game. August 27, 2014. Muskegon Chronicle. MLive. September 4, 2009.
  21. News: Morgan. Paul. Don Boven remembered, respected as fierce competitor, gentle man. August 27, 2014. MLive. March 14, 2011.
  22. News: Richardson. Anwar S.. Detroit Lions' Jerome Harrison leans on 'Diamond' wife throughout recovery from brain tumor. August 27, 2014. MLive. November 26, 2012.
  23. News: DeCaamp. Scott. Former Kalamazoo Central standout Ron Jackson, Kalamazoo St. Augustine star Charles Muth nominees for 'Retro' Mr. Basketball. August 27, 2014. Kalamazoo Gazette. MLive. April 5, 2011.
  24. News: Tomasson. Chris. Vikings' Greg Jennings: I can play in NBA, LeBron James in NFL. August 27, 2014. St. Paul Pioneer Press. October 24, 2013.
  25. News: Jeter recalls day he and Rivera were sent down. August 27, 2014. Associated Press. ESPN.com. August 26, 2014.
  26. Web site: 'The Daily Show' debut: Watch Jon Stewart tell Kalamazoo native Jordan Klepper to 'go back to Crimea' . John . Liberty . MLive.com . March 4, 2014 . March 7, 2014.
  27. News: Calmes. Jackie. Michigan High School Snags Obama as Speaker. August 27, 2014. New York Times. May 4, 2010.
  28. Web site: Gage . Ryan . January 2023 . Pratt, Charles A. . 2023-12-18 . Kalamazoo Public Library . en-US.
  29. News: Scott Rehberg. August 27, 2014. The Pro Football Archives.
  30. News: DeCamp. Scott. Fits like a glove: Mike Squires still working in major league baseball, but rooted in Kalamazoo. August 27, 2014. MLive. August 19, 2010.
  31. Web site: Frederick Smith Strong in Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy . III-VIII . Thayer . Bill . Bill Thayer's Web Site . Bill Thayer . Chicago, IL . May 5, 2015 . June 27, 2020 . .
  32. News: Gleason. Bucky. Rebuilding his career. https://web.archive.org/web/20140921200734/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23091841.html. dead. September 21, 2014. August 27, 2014. The Buffalo News. HighBeam Research. October 18, 1998.

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