East High School (Tennessee)
Public school in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
East High School is a public four-year magnet high school located in Memphis, Tennessee. East originally opened in 1948, as a K–12 school, and became exclusively a high-school in 2008. It is the first magnet school in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district that specializes in both transportation and STEM. The building has also hosted Maxine Smith STEAM Academy since 2022.
| East High School | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
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3206 Poplar Avenue , Tennessee 38111 United States 35°07′55″N 89°57′14″W | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Opened | September 9, 1948 |
School district | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
NCES School ID | 470014801053[1] |
Principal | Pamela McKinley (2022-present) |
Teaching staff | 43.30 (FTE) (2023-2024)[1] |
| Grades | 9 to 12 |
| Enrollment | 615 (2023-2024)[1] |
Student to teacher ratio | 14.20 (2023-2024)[1] |
| Colors | Maroon and Grey |
| Fight song | Fight On East High (On, Wisconsin!)[2] |
Athletics conference | TSSAA |
| Mascot | Mustang |
| Website | schools |
History
In February 1944, the City Board of Education announced plans to construct a combined elementary, middle, and high school at the intersection of Poplar and Holmes alongside other major postwar construction and repair projects.[3] The new school was intended to relieve crowding at Messick, Memphis State Training School, and Treadwell.[4] The building was designed by architect Everett D. Woods and construction began in 1946.[5][6] The first classes of grades K-10 took place in September 1948,[7] with 11th and 12th grade being added in 1949 and 1950 respectively.[8]
In 1976, a separate building was built adjacent to East's rear parking lot, originally housing East VoTech, a vocational program. Another smaller building was built in 1984, connecting to the East VoTech building and housing facilities for the main school. 1984-1985 was also the last year for the elementary school, with the classrooms being given to the middle and high school section.[8]
On November 13, 2002, five classrooms in the Annex and southwest wing of the main building were closed and cleaned after black mold was discovered inside.[9] The following weekend, senior Criss Mister died after suffering an asthma attack, leading to student protests and heightening parents' concerns.[10] In March 2003, the Annex was demolished. An elevator and six ADA-accessible restrooms (two per floor) were built in its place.[5][11]
A $12.8 million renovation was completed during the summer of 2007. The renovation was started in October 2005 with the renovation of the auditorium; the windows were bricked over, ADA accessibility features were added, the wooden seating was replaced with plastic ones, and a new media booth was built in the rear of the auditorium. The renovation also included drop ceilings throughout the entire school; new fluorescent lighting, HVAC, and water pipes located within the drop ceilings; and new tile flooring in the halls.[11][12]
In January 2017, East High announced its T-STEM optional program, partnering with University of Memphis, FedEx, and AutoZone to develop the new curriculum.[13] The following fall, the T-STEM Academy was established, with all non-qualifying students being rezoned to other high schools.[14] It is the first T-STEM school in Shelby County Schools.[15]
On April 19, 2021, SCS revealed their "Reimagine 901" facilities plan, which involves the creation of more K-8 and 6-12 schools to smoothen building transitions for students.[16] The following spring, it was announced that Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, also known as MSSA, would be relocated to East High School. At the time, MSSA shared a building with Middle College High School at 750 East Parkway. The relocation was completed before the fall 2022 school year despite resistance.[17]
Academics
Enrollment
As of the 2023-2024 school year, East High has an enrollment of 615 students.[1]
- Asian - 0.5%
- Black - 68.3%
- Hispanic - 10.2%
- White - 13.2%
- Multiple Races - 7.8%
Curriculum
East High School offers vocational education focusing on transportation in addition to traditional STEM careers.[13] The aviation elective course prepares students for drone license and private pilot license exams.[18] East also has audio-visual production course.[19]
Athletics
East has numerous sports varsity teams, including baseball/softball, basketball, cross country/track, football, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling. The basketball team won three consecutive state titles between 2016 and 2018 under Penny Hardaway, before he began coaching for the University of Memphis.[20] In September 2022, East High was fined nearly $15,000 by the TSSAA and stripped of its 2018-19 post-season titles after Hardaway was found to have violated recruiting rules in bringing James Wiseman to East from Nashville.[21][22]
Notable alumni
- Eric Banks, football player[23]
- Qwynnterrio Cole, strong safety for the St. Louis Battlehawks[24]
- Kirk Fordice, Mississippi governor (1992-2000)[25][26]
- Anne Haney, actress[27]
- Cedric Henderson, basketball player[28]
- Will Redmond, football player[29]
- Cybill Shepherd, actress, singer and model[30]
- Shelby Tucker, Anglo-American journalist, novelist and attorney[31]
- James Wiseman, basketball player for the Detroit Pistons, 2019 Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year[32][33][34]
- Paul Young, Memphis mayor (2024–present)[35]
