East Kentwood High School

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History

East Kentwood High School was built in 1969. Since then it has undergone numerous renovations, including the addition of the West Wing in 1975 and the construction of the Freshman Campus in 1994. Further construction was done in 1983, 1986, and 1994. The 1994 project included a renovation of the fieldhouse and expansion of the West Wing, which involved adding several new science classrooms. In the mid-1980s a south corridor was completed to shelter students crossing each wing. East Kentwood is the only public school in the state of Michigan to have its own ice arena on campus, it is often referred to as the best ice arena in the state as well; East Kentwood also has its own competitive and community swimming pools, and a 1,600-seat Fine Arts Auditorium.

The original Kentwood high school, which is now Crestwood Middle School, opened in 1960. When the new site was built in 1969, the new school was named East Kentwood because there were plans to eventually build a second high school, which would have been known as West Kentwood a few years later. West Kentwood would have built on the same physical campus as East Kentwood. When the first vote for a second high school was turned down in the early 1970s it lead to the construction of East Kentwood's first swimming pool as well as what was referred to as the Freshman wing. To this day, talks of building a second high school periodcially resurface but have so far been turned down in favor of the economic advantages of running one large high school. Thus, East Kentwood continues to grow while West Kentwood remains the answer to a trivia question. hp calculator 10bii

Current discussions for future development projects include creating a college-campus like setting with multi-storied buildings specializing in math and science, literature and the arts, and business and apprentice training (health, medical, etc) programs. Included in the arts building would be a small theatre for dancing/drama productions. calculator watch casio

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East Kentwood 10-12 Building during construction

In 2003 a $85.5 million bond was passed that allowed new construction at the High School Campus. A new athletic stadium was built with a capacity of over 7,500 along with a new 38 meter pool and a 75 foot community pool. Further work was done at the Freshman Campus to build it out to the supportable core of 1,450 students with the moving of office and support staff to a new highly visible wing, and renovation of the previous office space with 6 classrooms and adding onto the existing classroom wings with 10 rooms. Additional work was done at the 10-12 main campus with the addition of more performing arts space including new practice rooms along with work at the auditorium with more dressing rooms, staging areas, and a new lighting and sound system. Furthermore the seating was also refurnished.

Another major project was the expansion of the east wing cafeteria and renovation of classrooms in that wing. The circle drive that has been a mainstay of the school was removed with a new corridor built to link the west and east wings. The new corridor also puts a large commons area in front of the school with the pools, field house, and auditorium on each side. This hallway added 6 entrances, which is twice as many as before, along with creating two courtyards. Beyond the front of the school work the art department was given a remodel which includes a new art gallery. Along with all of this new carpeting has been placed through the school. Furthermore, a south side road was placed between the school and the practice fields along with a possible storage facility was added between the new south road and the field house. A renovation of the softball and baseball diamonds was also done then which included new home plate structures, scoreboards, and permanent bleachers.

Diversity

East Kentwood Freshman Campus

East Kentwood High School has a student population of over 2,900 students. Over 900 of them are in the Freshman Campus while sophomores, juniors, and seniors are in the 10-12 building.

Within the student body, 50.0% of students are Caucasian, 38.4% African American, 7.6% Asian American, 4.4% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American and 0.3% Multi-racial. 92% of Kentwood Public Schools parents, 96% of staff, and 85% of students believe it is important to attend a school in a culturally diverse community, such as Kentwood.

East Kentwood students represent over 50 different countries and 48 languages.

Security

Private security officers patrol the halls, and classes are dismissed on a staggered basis during lunches to prevent the overcrowding of the halls. Starting in January 2007, students and teachers were required to wear lanyards with IDs to provide better security throughout the campus. Lanyards are different colors based on which the building the student mostly uses. The Freshman Campus students are required to wear a white lanyard, the High School students wear a red lanyard, and all teachers wear black lanyards.

Curriculum

East Kentwood offers 12 Advanced Placement courses; more than any other school district in the area. Those courses include AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Economics, AP English, AP Government, AP Latin, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP U.S. History, and AP Art.

The AP Government class offers students the opportunity to compete in We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, a program in which teams of students debate issues related to the United States Constitution by delivering prepared statements on constitutional issues and citing case law and Common law to support their assertions. The EK team has won several state competitions in Michigan as well as placing in the top 10 in the country several times.

In addition, EK offers a four year debate curriculum. EK debaters have won numerous state titles, tournament championships, and speaker awards. EK competes throughout the country and at all levels (novice, junior varsity, and varsity).

Performance overview of the school system

Students exposed to a variety of coursework through requirements in life skills, science, math, English, and technology. Unique classes, such as aviation technology; A+ Certification; computer networking, programming, operating systems certification; computerized accounting; a young entrepreneurs club providing real-world experience and application. Additionally, East Kentwood offers a newly built art gallery focusing on a dozen art classes from drawing to sculpturing, painting to ceramics, jewelry making to computerized graphics, photography and film development/editing, and even air-brushing under hooded workstations.

The recent Michigan graduation requirements passed by Lansing will require an updated class requirements for the 2011 class and then additional requirement for the 2016 class, although it appears they may be moving towards those goals sooner. From the 05-06 course catalog little change in requirements has occurred. English went from 3.5 years to 3 years, Math, History, Government, Economics (Social Science), and Science are still 2 years, Humanities (Art, Foreign Language, World History, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Acting, Public Speaking) and Life Skills (Business, Technology, and Life Management) are still 1 year. Physical Education, however, went from 2 years to just 1 year. Elective amounts have gone up and down as the school went from a straight 6 hours back in 1999, to the block scheduling in 2005. In 2006, the school went to trimester scheduling, allowing students to pursue electives from astronomy to wild animal care and biology, electronics and metal shop to personal finance and do-it-yourself home care and fix-it projects (plumbing, electricity, etc), to meal-preparation for young single adults and young children nutrition and baby care.

Extra-curricular activities

EKHS has one of Michigan's largest high school marching bands. In 2004, EK had the largest high school marching band in the state, with over 350 members. EK has one of the top jazz programs in the state, frequently posting top results in area and state jazz competitions. In addition, Kentwood has a Summer Stock Theatre Program that involves children in grades kindergarten to 12. 147 students were represented in the most recent production. East Kentwood also offers a policy debate program that has done well at numerous state and national competitions.

The dual enrollment program allows students to augment their curriculum by taking classes through local colleges and universities. In 2006, in partnership with Grand Valley State University, an introduction to nursing course has been brought on campus.

Clubs

East Kentwood offers these clubs: Animal Club, Animation Club, ESL Support Group, Chess Club, EK-4-Christ, DECA Club, Equestrian Club, French Club, German Club, G.S.A (Gay Straight Alliance), International/Multicultural Club, Latin Club, Literary/Poetry Club, National Honor Society, Photography club, Policy Debate, Quiz Bowl, SADD, Science Olympiad, Shakespeare Club, Ski Club, Spanish Club, STAR, Teen Institute, Y.E.S., Young Democrats, Young Republicans, Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Improv, Leaders Out Loud, Reptile Team, Ping Pong Club, and Ultimate Frisbee Club.

Competition Teams

School colors are red and black and school mascot is the falcon. East Kentwood High School competes in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red Division. In the 1998-1999 school year, the AP Government class won the state Championship in the "We the People" state competition, and went to the National competition in Washington D.C. where the team placed in the top 10 in the country. The athletic teams have routinely won Conference titles and most sports have been in the MHSAA Playoffs. EK also has a competitive policy debate program which has secured numerous awards. Model UN and Mock Trial are a few other competitive academic programs offered.

Athletic Teams & Facilities

Girls' Sports Women's Competitive Cheer, Women's Dance, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Sideline Cheer, Women's Softball, Women's Volleyball,

Boys' Sports Men's Baseball, Men's Football, Men's Ice Hockey, Men's Wrestling,

Coed Sports Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Bowling, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Men's & Women's Soccer, Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's & Women's Tennis, Men's & Women's Track & Field, Men's & Women's Waterpolo, Equestrian

Athletic Facilities

Main Fieldhouse Gym incorporating 4 fullsize basketball courts, a large balcony training area, a wrestling center, and a West-Wing wood-floor gym for girl's volleyball practices. The main fieldhouse will seat 3500 fans. Moreover, the fieldhouse integrates a number of athletic events throughout the school year to accommodate as many sporting events as is possible.

Girl's Gymnastics Athletic Training Center used for girl's aerobic and fitness training. Additionally used for extra-curricular classes for elementary and middle school ages.

The Falcon Stadium is an artificial turfed arena seating 10,000 spectators with separate in-stadium facilities for the public and for visiting teams. It doubles up in the springtime as a state-sponsored track-and-field site.

An Aquatics Center featuring a 90m pool with movable wall, 2-1.5m and 2-3m diving platforms, balcony and side conference rooms and separate locker/shower facilities. A 40m community pool with separate locker/shower facilities and community classes. Two racquetball courts.

The Kentwood Ice Arena featuring warming stands, community room, pro shop, concession and locker rooms. East Kentwood is the only public high school in the state to have an ice arena on-campus. It is often considered the best ice arena in the world.

Baseball Sportsplex featuring two baseball fields and a softball field. The outer circumference and woods along the back providing for a maintained cross-country meet circuit. The upper ball fields each have their own multi-level buildings for scoring, dugouts, stands and a general public concessions/restrooms facility.

An off-campus Soccer Sportsplex which is renowned in the state for its artificial turfed field and facilities.

Championships

Year

Sport

Place

2008

Boys Track & Field

Runner Up

Boys Soccer

Champion

Boys MITCA Track & Field

Champion

Girls MITCA Track & Field

Runner Up

Novice Debate

Runner Up

2007

Boys Soccer

Champion

Boys Track & Field

Runner Up

Boys MITCA Track & Field

Champion

Girls MITCA Track & Field

Runner Up

2006

Boys MITCA Track & Field

Champion

Girls MITCA Track & Field

Runner Up

Volleyball

Champion

2005

Ice Hockey

Runner Up

2004

Volleyball

Runner Up

Competitive cheer

Runner Up

2002

Football

Runner Up

2001

Boys Golf

Champion

2000

Volleyball

Champion

Gymnastics

Champion

Girls MITCA Track & Field

Runner Up

1999

Ice Hockey

Runner Up

1998

Debate

Champion

1997

Boys Water Polo

Runner Up

1990

Ice Hockey

Champion

Volleyball

Champion

Debate

Semi-Finalist

1996

Ice Hockey

Runner Up

Debate

Semi-Finalist

1994

Debate

Champion

1990

Ice Hockey

Champion

1989

Boys Swimming & Diving

Champion

1988

Boys Swimming & Diving

Runner Up

1986

Boys Swimming & Diving

Runner Up

1985

Boys Swimming & Diving

Runner Up

1983

Boys Swimming & Diving

Champion

Volleyball

Runner Up

1982

Gymnastics

Champion

1981

Gymnastics

Runner Up

1980

Gymnastics

Champion

1978

Baseball

Runner Up

Note: The MITCA is the majority of the Track and Field coaches and Cross Country coaches in the State of Michigan for High and Middle Schools. Each year since 1998 they have hosted meets for a team track and field championship. The teams represented are the regional winners and given the option of attending. Where the MHSAA State Meet only has the best individuals of each region attending, the full team attends for the MITCA meet and competes against other teams.

Notable alumni

Mike Knuble, NHL hockey player

Loy Vaught, NBA basketball player

Joe Warren, 2006 Wrestling World Champion

References

^ East Kentwood High School, Michigan Schools | Schoolmatters.com

^ a b http://www.kentwoodps.org/high_school/about_us.htm

External links

EKHS Homepage

Kentwood Public Schools District Website

East Kentwood Football Website

East Kentwood Swimming and Diving Website

East Kentwood Football History Website

East Kentwood Cheer Team Website

Google Maps Image of the Campus

Coordinates: 425103 853709 / 42.8507N 85.6193W / 42.8507; -85.6193

Categories: High schools in Michigan | Educational institutions established in 1969Hidden categories: Articles needing additional references from April 2007 | All articles needing additional references | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from April 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements from May 2009 | Articles with unsourced statements from August 2008