Upper Dublin High School
| Upper Dublin High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
800 Loch Alsh Avenue , , , 19034 | |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Opened | 1955 |
| School district | Upper Dublin School District |
| Superintendent | Michael J. Pladus |
| CEEB code | 391415 |
| Principal | Charles E. Rittenhouse |
| Faculty | 128 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,121[1] (October 01, 2007) |
| Color(s) | Cardinal, Gray |
| Athletics | 14 Boys, 14 Girls |
| Athletics conference | PIAA District 1 |
| Sports | Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling |
| Mascot | Clyde the Cardinal |
| Nickname | Cardinals |
| Rival | Wissahickon High School |
| Yearbook | Mundockian |
| Communities served | Upper Dublin Township |
| Feeder schools | Sandy Run Middle School |
| Director of Guidance | Jill Morgan |
| Athletic Director | Hope Donell |
| Website | Upper Dublin High School |
Upper Dublin High School is a four-year public high school located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the sole high school in the Upper Dublin School District.
Upper Dublin High School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.[2] In 2007, the school was named the #1 high school in Montgomery County by the Philadelphia Inquirer.[2] The school was also ranked #8 in Philadelphia Magazine's 100 Best Public and Private Schools.[2]
The high school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The school has a 99%+ graduation rate, and more than 95% of graduates continue on to a two or four-year college.[2] Upper Dublin High School is represented at each service academy and almost all top universities.[citation needed]
High school construction project
After months of deliberations, the school board decided to move forward and proposed to rebuild the high school. On March 20, 2007, the voters in Upper Dublin were presented with a referendum. They approved, despite the risk of a significant tax increase. Initial estimates of the new construction is $119 million. The construction will occur in stages on the site of the current building. It is expected to be completed by 2012. Demolition of the oldest wing began in summer 2008.
Philosophy statement
The following is the philosophy statement of the Upper Dublin High School:
Today's high school graduate must live in a rapidly-changing milieu of high technology, the social ramifications of which are yet to be discovered. There is a consistent bombardment of information which does not always lead to knowledge. There is a continual emergence of diverse patterns of family/community living which can further disrupt value structures.
We believe that in order for our students to become contributing citizens in a democratic society and in the world community in such times, they must develop the skills to listen with an open mind, to think critically, and to express themselves effectively. It is important that they do so from a humane, knowledgeable, and responsible perspective.
Such attributes are firmly centered in self-knowledge and self-discipline. They are most favorably enhanced within a context of a rich learning environment, staff collaboration, and shared responsibility with parents and community.
Alma mater
The words of the Upper Dublin High School Alma Mater were written by members of the Class of 1964, and set to music by Mr. Robert C. Foust. The Alma Mater is played and sung during homeroom on Friday mornings, and at special ceremonies, such as homecoming and graduation.
- Hail Upper Dublin Senior High,
- Spirit and loyalty,
- Cardinal and gray,
- Leading the way
- Onward to victory,
- First in our hearts and minds are you,
- Proudly our colors fly,
- Onward in life we go from you
- Our Upper Dublin High
.
Educational Support Team
The Educational Support Team (EST) is a team of faculty members offering assistance to students who are having problems in school because of drug and alcohol use or because of depression or thoughts of suicide. The Team identifies, intervenes, and refers those students for help.
Community Study
Students in the senior class are provided with the opportunity to investigate career opportunities in the final three weeks of the year. Students are required to have a community sponsor, a faculty sponsor, at least a "C" average in each course, meet attendance requirements, and have committee approval in order to participate in the Community Study Program.
Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
Students at Upper Dublin High School have the option to attend the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, which is accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools. The campus is located in Willow Grove and is owned by nine school districts in Eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. They include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Upper Moreland Lower Moreland, Springfield, and Upper Dublin.
Programs taken at the Eastern Center are considered part of the high school program and count as elective credit toward graduation. They give students the opportunity to reinforce their career path after high school, get ready for employment, and get a head start in collegiate studies in that field.
Graduation requirements
Each student at Upper Dublin High School is required to earn 21 credits to be eligible for graduation, 19 of which are in major subjects. In grades 9-12, each student is required to take a minimum of 5 major courses and physical education each year. In addition, health and driver education are required to graduate. Students must pass the required courses and accumulate sufficient additional full credit electives to satisfy the minimum requirements.
Athletics
| Upper Dublin Cardinals | |
|---|---|
| School | Upper Dublin High School |
| Conference | AAAA AAA |
| Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association | District 1 |
| Athletic director | Eric Greiner Interim |
| Location | Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |
| Football stadium | Cardinal Stadium |
| Nickname | Flying Cardinals Lady Cards |
| Colors | Cardinal and Gray |
| Website | www |
Upper Dublin High School is a AAAA and AAA member of the Suburban One American Conference of District 1 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), the state high school athletic governing body. The school has 14 male varsity sports and 13 female varsity sports recognized by PIAA. The school also has a cheerleading squad. There is also an Ice Hockey Team representing Upper Dublin, although they are not directly associated with the school.
- Baseball - AAAA
- Basketball - AAAA
- Bowling - AAAA
- Cross Country - AAA
- Field Hockey - AAA
- Football - AAAA
- Golf - AAAA
- Indoor Track & Field - AAAA
- Lacrosse - AAAA
- Soccer - AAA
- Softball - AAAA
- Swimming and Diving - AAAA
- Tennis - AAA
- Track & Field - AAA
- Volleyball - AAA
- Wrestling - AAA
Removal of Huckleberry Finn from curriculum
Upper Dublin High School was the subject of controversy when in July 1996, then superintendent Dr. Claire Brown Jr. announced that Mark Twain's book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would be removed from the school's required reading list. Brown removed the book as an administrative action, claiming that parents and students had protested the inclusion of the book in the curriculum because its frequent use of the word "nigger" made "black children uncomfortable." [3]
Notable alumni
- Michael B. Sisak (Class of 1958) -- Staff editor for The New York Times for 28 of his 55-year career begun at The Ambler Gazette in 1953.
- Robert C. Field (Class of 1958) -- Retired principal of the Upper Dublin High School.
- Kim Gallagher (Class of 1982) -- Sprinted 800 meters to a silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a bronze in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Died in 2002 at age 38.
- Suzy Kolber (Class of 1982) -- ESPN "Monday Night Football" sideline reporter and host of "NASCAR Countdown."
- John Tartaglia (Class of 1996) -- Tony Award nominee for Avenue Q and star of Disney Channel's Johnny and the Sprites.
- Reid Rosenthal (Class of 1997) -- Second runnerup on the fifth season of The Bachelorette.
- Zach Pfeffer (Class of 2013) -- Midfielder, Philadelphia Union.
References
- ^ "PIAA - Schools - Directory - Upper Dublin High School". Retrieved 13 December 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Upper Dublin: Points of Pride". Retrieved 2007-10-14.
- ^ Banned in the USA: A Reference Guide.