Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | |
---|---|
Address | |
1600 Man o' War Boulevard , Fayette County , Kentucky 40513 United States | |
Coordinates | 38°01′04″N84°34′37″W / 38.01782°N 84.57683°W |
Information | |
Former name | Dunbar High School |
Type | Public high school |
Founded | 1990 |
Principal | Scott Loschider [1] |
Teaching staff | 106.90 (FTE) (2021–22) [2] |
Grades | 9–12 |
Enrollment | 2,054 (2021–22) [2] |
Student to teacher ratio | 19.21 (2021–22) [2] |
Area | Suburban |
Color(s) |
|
Mascot | Bulldogs |
Website | pld |
Paul Laurence DunbarHigh School (PLD/PLDHS), also known as Dunbar High School, [3] is a public high school located at 1600 Man o' War Boulevard on the southwest side of Lexington, Kentucky, United States. The school is one of six high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools district.
The school was opened in 1990. With an enrollment of over 2100 students (in 2008–2009), [4] it is one of the largest public high schools in Kentucky, [5] [6] It also houses the Math, Science, and Technology Center.
Since opening in 1990, Dunbar has averaged more than 15 National Merit Semifinalists a year, with 71 in the last four years. [4] Of the Class of 2008, 75% continued on to four-year colleges or universities, with another 17% attending two-year colleges or technical schools. [4] As of 2017, Dunbar offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in twenty subject areas.
The PLD Academic Team has a long and illustrious history. It is considered one of Kentucky's strongest teams and a longstanding favorite in both the Governor's Cup tournament and the NAQT State Championships.
1998 was the team's first championship at the Governor's Cup State Tournament. Both from 2000 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2010, the team won 4 back-to-back state championships. Shortly afterward, the team won Governor's Cup twice in 2012 and 2013. However, the PL Dunbar Academic Team wouldn't win the tournament for the next decade, often losing to their rivals, DuPont Manual High School and Russell High School. After placing 2nd in 2021 and 3rd in both 2022 and 2023, the team ended a decade-long drought and won the Governor's Cup State Championship in 2024. In the 2024 tournament, they also won the Quick Recall State Tournament, marking the first time since 2011 that they were Quick Recall State champions. [7]
The Academic Team is also one of the best quiz bowl teams in the state and has done well at the national tournament held in Atlanta. They were state champions in multiple years (2008–2011, 2013–2014, 2019, 2023–2024). [8] In 2024, Dunbar became the first team from Kentucky in almost 15 years to place in the top 10 at NAQT's High School National Championship. [9]
In 2000, Dunbar's United States Academic Decathlon team won the state division for the first time and proceeded to nationals. [10]
The Math, Science, and Technology Center, also known as MSTC, is a magnet program housed in Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. The program accepts at least 55 students each year, selected from the 2500 incoming high school freshmen in Fayette County. [4] MSTC alumni have matriculated into many top colleges across the country and have an average ACT score of 34. [11]
The Dunbar High School was a segregated public high school for African-American students founded in 1922, and located at 545 North Upper Street in the Northside neighborhood in Lexington. [12] It was named after the 19th century African-American poet and writer, Paul Laurence Dunbar, whose parents were from Kentucky. [13] The Bearcats were the schools mascot, and the school colors were red and black (and green and white during the 1940s). In 1953, the Russell School, another segregated public school for African American students, was located on the same block and they shared a field. [14]
When Fayette County's schools integrated, Dunbar High was closed in 1967, [12] with its students being bused to four previously segregated white schools.
The building of the original high school at 545 North Upper Street has since been converted to the Dunbar Community Center, which serves myriad cultural, educational and recreational needs for the city of Lexington. The Dunbar Community Center is operated by the city's department of Parks and Recreation. [15]
The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a public high school opened in 1990 and located at 1600 Man o' War Boulevard in the southeastern part of Lexington. The school name was part of a political deal made in 1965 with the city's African-American community. The county school board agreed that the next high school to open in Lexington would bear Dunbar's name, principally at the urging of the Rev. William Augustus Jones Sr., minister of Lexington's oldest and largest Black church [16] and a civil rights leader [17] whose five oldest children had graduated from Dunbar and embarked on careers of distinction. [18]
Both schools used the name Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and the Dunbar High School, [12] but they are not the same school. The former school was frequently referred to as the "Dunbar High School". In an attempt to differentiated, the new school was given the poet's full name and is more frequently referred to by the full name.
As an additional tribute to the old Dunbar High School, the gymnasium was named the "S.T. Roach Sports Center" for basketball coach Sanford T. Roach, who led the school to a 512–142 record from 1942 to 1965, and is a member of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.
The new PLD adopted the original school colors of the old Dunbar High (which were red and black, but changed to green and white during the 1940s). The new high school did not, however, retain the former school's "Bearcats" mascot. A vote of the school's future students shortly before the school's opening favored "Bulldogs" and selected "The Victors", by Louis Elbel, as the basis of the fight song. [19]
Paul Laurence Dunbar offers many sports, including football, boys' and girls' basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, boys' lacrosse, tennis, golf, track and field, cheerleading, swimming, dancing, wrestling, and ice hockey.
PLD had a competitive boys' basketball program almost from the beginning. In 1993 the team, led by Darnell Burton, were State Runners-Up, [20] and in 1994, led by Cameron Mills, the team repeated as State Runners-Up. [20] In 1997 the team again reached the Sweet Sixteen, losing in the first round.
The Bulldogs boys basketball team captured the 2016 KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 Championship over Doss 61–52. PLD was led by tournament MVP Tavieon Hollingsworth. [21]
The first football playoff appearance was in 1995. [22] For the first five and a half years, the PLD football team played their "home" games at other Lexington high schools.[ citation needed ] Midway through the 1999 season, PLD's football stadium opened, and that year the school advanced to the playoffs for the second time.[ citation needed ] In 1996 they were the AAA state runners-up, losing the championship game in overtime. [23]
The football stadium was later named for Jon R. Akers, PLD's first principal and the father of National Football League placekicker David Akers.[ citation needed ]
The Swim Team has one state championship, which was won with the 2001 girls team. [24] They have won the combined team state championships 6 times: in 2001, [25] 2002, [26] 2003, [27] 2021, 2022, [28] and 2023. Dunbar has dominated their region winning multiple region titles. In 2016, PLD was runner up in team scores at the KHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships. This is a strong sport at the high school with the multiple regional titles and the 5 star elite athletes.
Dunbar has 6 state championships in soccer. In 1992, [29] 2001, [30] 2005 [31] and 2013 PLD Soccer were the State Champions. The first four championships were under Todd Bretz, who was the head coach since the program's inception with one of the highest records of any Kentucky high school soccer coaches (493–169–38), until Fayette County schools sidelined him in September 2019. Zach Byrd also won a Kentucky Mr. Soccer in 2010 when Dunbar lost in the elite eight against Henry Clay. Dunbar won back to back state championships in 2021 and 2022 under coach James Wray.
PLD Cheerleading is nationally competitive. They have been UCA National Champions in the Large Varsity Division (all girls) in 1995, 2004–2008, 2011 and 2013.[ citation needed ] They are the only squad to ever be national champions five times in a row. They were UCA National Runners-Up in 1994, 2002, 2003, 2017 and Third Place in 1993 and 2009, Cheersports National Champions in 2003, KAPOS State Champions in 1994, 1997, 2000–2013, and KHSAA State Champions in 2016 and 2017.
They have been nationally ranked for twelve years and have been featured in American Cheerleader magazine.[ citation needed ]
In 2001, MTV's True Life series prominently featured Dunbar's cheerleading team in the episode "I'm a Cheerleader."[ citation needed ] On November 28, 2005, Lifetime Television announced a reality series featuring the PLD cheerleaders, and "Cheerleader Nation" premiered in early 2006.[ citation needed ]
In 2003, PLD Baseball were state champions. [32] That year they also set a Kentucky record for the most wins in one season, winning 41 games and losing only 4. [33] Josh Ellis went a perfect 12–0 in 2003, [33] despite knee injury suffered in a PLD football game, and was named Kentucky's Mr. Baseball. [33] Dunbar was once again state champions in 2007, where they finished with a 38–6 record, and a state record 1.32 ERA. [34]
In 2005, the girls' track and field team tied as AAA state champions. [35]
Both the boys' and girls' teams have won the Lexington City Championships each year since 2000.[ citation needed ] The boys placed second in 2007 to Henry Clay High School in a loss by 3 points.[ citation needed ] The girls won Region 5 AAA in 2001, 2006, and 2007.[ citation needed ]
Laura Steinmetz was the girls AAA individual state champion in 2005 [31] and 2006. [34] The girls team were AAA state champions in 2005 [31] and placed third in 2006. [36]
Lacrosse is not sanctioned by the KHSAA. Dunbar's team went undefeated and won first place in the 2009 Bluegrass State Games, the first time lacrosse was included in the Games. [37] In the 2011 season, the Dunbar lacrosse team broke a 7-year streak of losses to Lexington Catholic in the second round of the state tournament. They went 12–2 and concluded their season with a 9–7 victory over Ballard in the D-II Championship game. In 2015 the lacrosse team was runner up, losing to Henry Clay in the Championship Game.
Like lacrosse, ice hockey is not sanctioned by KHSAA. Dunbar's team began as a combination of travel and house league players in 2001, and are one of ten teams in the state of Kentucky. However, in 2002 the PLD Ice Hockey team went from being a "metro" team to a strictly all Dunbar student team with the help of PE/Health teacher Mr. Jonas. Dunbar ice hockey has played in both the "A" (varsity) and "B" (junior varsity) levels of Kentucky state hockey. [38]
The Paul Laurence Dunbar band has earned national acclaim; they are one of a handful of high school band programs to receive the Sudler Shield award twice for outstanding high school marching band. [39] [40] The Dunbar band earned the title of state champion in years 1991 (Class AAA), [41] 2003 [42] and 2004 (Class AAAA), and 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011 (Class AAAAA), and State Runners-Up in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 2002 (Class AAAA), and 2006 and 2008 (Class AAAAA). The band was a finalist in 1993, 1996–1999, 2001 (AAAA), 2009, and 2012–2015 (AAAAA). [43]
The band performed twice in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City: first in 2007 and again in 2014. [44]
This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy.(December 2023) |
Band
Fencing
Journalism
Baseball
Soccer
Grosse Pointe North High School is a public high school in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. North is a four-year comprehensive high school with an enrollment of around 1,400 and expected 2016 graduating class of 350. Classes are in session for 182 days per year and the school day is from 8:00 AM to 3:05 PM.
St. Xavier High School, colloquially known as St. X, is a Catholic all-boys, college preparatory Xaverian school in Louisville, Kentucky. It is located in the Archdiocese of Louisville. St. Xavier was founded in 1864 by Br. Paul Van Gerwen, C.F.X.
Scott County High School is a public high school in Georgetown, Kentucky, United States. The mascot is a Cardinal. School colors are Red and Blue, with white and black occasionally serving as secondary colors. In the 2018–19 school year, its last as the county's only public high school, the combined institution had an enrollment of 2,486, making it the largest high school in the state, before rival school Great Crossing High School opened across town just in time for the 2019–2020 school year. The 9th Grade Center, a section of the building where all of the 9th grade classes were located, along with a separate library, cafeteria, and gym, was replaced by the new "Phoenix Horizon" a program where kids who were struggling in normal classes, or having behavior issues could go and learn without the distractions of a normal classroom.
South Oldham High School is located in Crestwood, Kentucky and serves pupils in 9th-12th grade.The school's mascot is the Dragon, which is green to reflect the school colors of green and gray, as well as navy and white for accent colors. South Oldham opened in 1989 because Oldham County High School had become overcrowded.
Lafayette High School is a public high school in Lexington, Kentucky that has been open for 85 years, seen the beginning of racially-desegregated education in the city, and been overseen by eight principals.
Henry Clay High School is an American public high school in Lexington, Kentucky. Opened on Main Street in 1928, it was named in honor of the Kentuckian and United States statesman, Henry Clay. The Main Street location now houses the main offices of the Fayette County Public Schools system. The school was ranked in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report as #18 of schools in Kentucky and #1,705 nationally. The school's facility on Fontaine Road opened in 1970.
Grand Blanc High School (GBHS) is a public high school in Grand Blanc, Michigan, in the United States. It is managed by Grand Blanc Community Schools.
Garfield Heights High School is a public high school located in Garfield Heights, Ohio, about 10 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It is part of the Garfield Heights City School District. The school currently contains approximately 1,300 students. The mascot is the Bulldog and the school colors are navy blue and gold. The current principal is Tammy Hager.
Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools. The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training. The principal of the school is Chris Tracy.
Bryan Station High School, founded in 1958, is a high school within the Fayette County Public Schools system in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. During the 2006–2007 school year, students were moved to their newly built school known as Bryan Station High. The school was named for Bryan Station, an 18th-century pioneer settlement. The school's sports teams are called the Defenders, and the school mascot is the "Mean Man"; the school says "His persona reflects the heritage of the pioneers at the siege of Bryan Station Fort between the British and Indians in 1782."
The U.S. State of Kentucky is currently home to two professional soccer teams: Louisville City FC, which plays in the USL Championship, and Racing Louisville FC, which plays in the NWSL. Kentucky has had professional sports teams in its past, such as the Louisville Brecks/Colonels of the NFL in the early 1920s.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) has been the governing body of the U.S. state of Kentucky's high school athletics since 1917. It is located in Lexington.
Larry A. Ryle High School is a public secondary school located in Union, Kentucky. The school's mascot is the Raiders.
Covington Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic, high school for boys in Park Hills, Kentucky, United States. It was founded in 1925 by Bishop Francis William Howard and Brother George Sauer, and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington. The school is the only boys' high school in northern Kentucky and one of five in the Cincinnati area. The girls' Notre Dame Academy is located across the street.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association boys' and girls' state basketball championships are single elimination tournaments held each March featuring 16 high schools. Colloquially known as the Sweet Sixteen. Since 2019, both the boys' and girls' tournaments takes place over four days at downtown Lexington's Rupp Arena.
Wissahickon High School is the sole public high school of the Wissahickon School District, and is located in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania, with an Ambler postal address.
Glasgow High School is a public high school in the city of Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. It is the only public high school for Glasgow Independent Schools; however, Barren County High School, which is part of Barren County Schools, also lies within the city limits, and in fact lies physically within the boundaries of the Glasgow district. GHS celebrated its 100th commencement upon the graduation of the Class of 2015.
Lexington Christian Academy is a private, non-denominational Christian school in Lexington, Kentucky, accredited by the AdvancED. The school serves preschool through 12th grade. Total enrollment is around 1,500, with about 200 junior high school, and 460 high school students. As a requirement for teaching at LCA, all teachers must profess Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
Murray High School is a public high school located in Murray, Kentucky, United States. Currently, the school is on Sycamore Street, but from 1872 to 1971 it was located at 801 Main Street, in the building now used for Murray Middle School.
The only public high school in Winchester, Kentucky, George Rogers Clark High School opened in the fall of 1963, consolidating Clark County High School and Winchester High School, locally referred to as county high and city high respectively. In 2011 construction began on a new building. In the fall of 2013, and a remarkable 50 years since the opening of the original facility, all student activity and faculty moved to the new facility, keeping the name "George Rogers Clark High School.” The new building has one athletic facility.
Prep/Club: Graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 2006... Four year varsity letterwinner in soccer... Member of the NSCAA All-America team and earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors senior season... Garnered Kentucky Mr. Soccer honors and was tabbed as the District Tournament MVP in 2005... Named to both the First Team All-Kentucky, as well as First Team All-Lexington senior year... In his final season with the Bulldogs, PLDHS was crowned Kentucky State Champions, Hoosier Cup Champions and the team was ranked No. 1 in Kentucky... In 2005, he recorded 15 shutouts and allowed only 11 goals, while he registered a Kentucky record of 18 shutouts, 12 consecutive, in his netminder role junior season... Member of the Lexington F.C. 88 Premier since 1998... Competed with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Kentucky squad from 2002–05.