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As High Point celebrates its 50th
birthday, if is appropriate to look back at the distinguished history of
the school. On one level a school is simply a physical structure. Over a
period of a half of a century, however, a school develops many traditions
that link one generation of students to another. Conversely, a school
inevitably changes in many ways over a period of 50 years. This brief
history will attempt to chronicle those things that have remained constant
at High Point for more than half a century and those things that have
changed dramatically.
In April of 1953 the Beuchamp Company
made a successful bid of $2,200,000 and work began with the building
completion date set for September of 1954. High Point opened in the
1954-1955 school year with 1396 students, seventh through eleventh grade,
and 58 teachers. The facility consisted of 53 classrooms, a library, gym,
health suite, teacher's room, cafeteria, counselor's office and an
administrative office.
The first principal, Allan Chotiner,
and the teachers of the new school were chosen before the end of the
1953-1954 school year and a decision was made on the number of students
who would attend the school including transferees from other schools.
Choice of the new school's name prompted quite a controversy. Beltsville
High School was appropriate with regard to the location, but was
inappropriate for the population served. Most of the students we bused
from Takoma Park, Beltsville, College Park, Adelphi, Langley Park and
Greenbelt. Cherry Hill High School was the original name chosen: but,
because of the school's location high on a hill, the highest in the
county, it was changed to High Point High School. Dr. Chotiner favored
scotch plaid for the school colors and "Highlander" as the school's
mascot/nickname. The sentiments of the student body prevailed and the
colors of blue and gold and the eagle mascot were selected.
In the 1955-56 school year a twelfth
grade was added and the teaching staff grew to 77. In the same school year
the school board purchased an additional 10 acres adjacent to the school
property and added twelve temporary buildings. By the 1956-57 school year,
there were 91 teachers and continued high enrollment necessitated three
school shifts - seventh graders went in the morning, the eighth graders in
the afternoon and senior high had an all day session. A dual system of
bells and chimes announced the change of classes. Rollingcrest Junior High
School followed by Buck Lodge Junior High School eliminated the
overcrowded conditions and in the 1958-59 school year, High Point became a
Senior High School with 1,400 students.
Growth of the student body continued
and the late 1950's and early 1960's brought additions to the original
structure. A music and language wing was added as well as a second
cafeteria and a library extension. The "new wing" was added in 1963 and
dramatically increased the school's classroom space. High Point's highest
enrollment was 2,872 students in 1967-68. Between 1975 and 1976 the
auditorium was built, and the basic physical structure has remained
unchanged since that improvement. Ironically, High Point again faces an
increasing student population with projections for the next six years
approaching the student enrollment in the late 1960's Plans are currently
being made for either a major addition in the back of the school or a new
school being built in the northern part of the county to relieve
overcrowding.
In 1981, the County began converting
its junior highs to middle schools, phasing into the high schools the 9th
graders; thus, by 1983-84 High Point had changed from a three year senior
high school to a four year senior high school
Prince George's County public schools
came under a federal court order in 1973 with the intent of fully
integrating the school system. In the mid 1980's, a program of magnet
schools was established to assist in desegregation efforts. High Point's
magnet program, the Academic Center, has been in place for 15 years. As
Prince George's County became more diverse, High Point's student body
reflected that diversity. Throughout the 1970's, 80's and 90's the arrival
of immigrants into the Washington metro area steadily increased. Due to
the availability of affordable housing in the High Point attendance area,
many of these newly arriving immigrants settled within the school's
boundaries. Today, High Point is arguably the most diverse high school in
the state of Maryland with more than 66 countries and 42 languages
represented in the building.
High Point has been fortunate over the
entire history of its existence to enjoy great stability in its leadership
and its staff. Incredibly, High Point has had only three principals during
the first 37 years of its existence. Allan Choitner and Frank Tracy
established and maintained most of the traditions that are a part of High
Point's history and set a standard of academic excellence that is still
recognized throughout the Washington metro area. Ronald Cunningham
followed Mr. Tracy and served for six years. The school was led by three
different principals during the next four years: John Payne, Patricia
Martin, and Ethel Engrum. William Ryan was named principal following Ms.
Engrum's retirement, and he served the school in that position for six
years. In 2003, Ryan was recognized by the Washington Post with its
prestigious Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. Mr. Scott Smith
was appointed principal in the summer of 2004 and he continues in that
position today.
Likewise, High Point has benefited over
the years from the service of an incredibly talented, innovative, and
dedicated faculty and staff. The limited scope of this history prevents a
listing of individual names, but the excellence of High Point's staff is
widely acknowledged throughout the county and state. Many High Point
graduates have returned to join the staff, and it is not unusual to have
teachers spend their entire career here. Over the years, countless staff
members have won national awards, been promoted to leadership positions,
an used their considerable talents in the improvement of High Point High
School. It is significant to note that when a news organization contacts
the Communications Office of Prince George's County Public Schools and
asks to visit a county high school, they are often sent to High Point.
As with all schools, the true history
of High Point has been written by the incredible students that have passed
through our hallways for half a century. High Point is recognized as a
school that provides an excellent academic program in a sage and orderly
environment. This was true when the school opened with a basically
homogeneous student population and it is true today with a student
population that is diverse racially, ethnically, and economically.
As alumni of High Point, we are certain
that you are proud of the history of the school as well. Even though many
things have changed over the past half a century, many traditions remain
the same and the "High Point way" of doing things endures. Visitors
continuously comment on the cleanliness of the physical structure given
the age of the building and budgetary constraints. Homecoming festivities,
Blue and Gold, and the Senior Prom continue to be major events throughout
the year. The graduation program is virtually unchanged from 1956 and
students continue to serve as the keynote speakers. Eight state athletic
championships have been won over the past 25 years and the academic
preparation of our student body continues to be the primary focus of the
school. Over the past decade, High Point graduates have entered some of
the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country including
Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, West Point, and the Naval Academy. Our
graduates include a Pulitzer Prize winner and a member of the 2004 Ryder
Cup team. Countless other graduates have gone on to distinguish themselves
in a wide range of endeavors from government service to the private
sector.
Note: Much of the early
history contained here was created years ago through the work of the 30th
Anniversary Committee, then updated by John Sibert for High Point's 50th
Anniversary in October 2004.
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