Grand Prairie High School

Grand Prairie High School is a public high school in Grand Prairie, Texas.[2] It is one of three high schools serving the 41-campus Grand Prairie Independent School District, which encompasses the Dallas County portion of Grand Prairie.

Grand Prairie High School
Address
Map
101 Gopher Blvd

, ,
75050

United States
Information
School typePublic
Established1902
School districtGrand Prairie ISD
PrincipalLaigha El Samarayi Boyle
Staff195.38 (FTE)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment3,001 (2022–23)[1]
Student to teacher ratio15.36[1]
Color(s)   
MascotGopher
RivalsSouth Grand Prairie High School
Websitewww.gpisd.org/gphigh

History

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1902 Grand Prairie Independent School District established
1902 Ten formal grades established
1905 Two-story building constructed at 214 West College Street
1911 First graduating class of four students completes high school program
1924 Grand Prairie High School fields its first football team
1954 Dalworth School (for African-American students) adds high school program
1956 Dalworth High School graduates first class
1966 Grand Prairie ISD integrates Dalworth High School into Grand Prairie High School
2002 Grand Prairie High School Ninth Grade Center opens
2013 Ninth Grade Center was converted to the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy
2016 A portion of High School Drive was renamed to Gopher Boulevard on June 1

Campus

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Grand Prairie High School relocated to its current site[3] at 101 Gopher Boulevard in January 1953, following the 1952 Christmas holidays.[4]

Classroom facilities

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Following construction of the original building in 1952, the school underwent its first expansion in the late 1970s. However, the classroom facilities in use today are mainly the product of a major expansion and renovation project completed in 1990. The project added a new library, administrative offices, classroom space, cafeteria, and gymnasium (see "Athletic facilities" below), as well as the atrium at the school's entrance.

Due to dramatic growth in the student population, GPHS opened a Ninth Grade Center in 2002 at the southwest corner of the campus. The high school and the Ninth Grade Center consolidated to begin the 2013–14 school year as the Ninth Grade Center was converted to the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy.

Athletic facilities

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The Gopher Bowl (was constructed in 1956 in the northeast portion of the campus and hosts the school's home football games and soccer matches. Unlike many stadiums with "bowl" in their names, the stadium is an almost complete below-ground bowl (the northeast end is not enclosed). Since 1969, it has also been the site of the home football games of the South Grand Prairie High School Warriors. It was remodeled and expanded in 2003–2004 and re-dedicated as the Gopher-Warrior Bowl to recognize both high schools, to much dismay from Gopher alumni.

The school's coliseum was completed in 1990. The GPISD Board of Trustees re-dedicated it as the Amos Turner Gymnasium in 1998. Turner was principal of GPHS during the 1975–1976 school year and previously served as both a teacher and coach at GPHS from 1953 until 1968.

Performing arts facilities

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The 2,000-seat H. H. Chambers Auditorium sits at the southeast corner of the campus and was dedicated in 1963. Chambers served as superintendent of the Grand Prairie Independent School District from 1950 to 1968.

The Leon Breeden Band Hall houses the school's music education program and honors former GPHS band director Leon Breeden. Following his tenure at GPHS, Breeden achieved international recognition as the director of the world-renowned jazz program at the University of North Texas College of Music.[5]

Demographics

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Grand Prairie High School had the following demographic profile during the 2009–2010 school year in grades 10–12:[6]

72.7% Latino
14.7% Anglo-American
10.6% African-American
1.6% Asian or Pacific Islander
0.4% Native American

Feeder schools

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The following elementary schools feed into Grand Prairie High School:

  • Austin Elementary School
  • Daniels Elementary School
  • Eisenhower Elementary School
  • Hector Garcia Elementary School
  • Hobbs Williams Elementary School
  • James Bowie Elementary School
  • Juan Seguin Elementary School
  • Milam Elementary School (partial)
  • Sallye Moore Elementary School (partial)
  • Sam Rayburn Elementary School (partial)
  • Travis Elementary School

The following middle schools feed into Grand Prairie High School:

  • Adams Middle School
  • Bill Arnold Middle School Women's Leadership Academy
  • Kennedy Middle School
  • James Fannin Middle School

Academic standards

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In 2010, the school was rated "recognized" by the Texas Education Agency.[7] In 2011, the school was rated "Academically Unacceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.[8]

Achievements

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UIL Academic State honors

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Year Class Award Event
1945 2A Champion[9] Team debate
1990 5A Runner-up[10] Calculator applications
1993 5A Champion[11] Current issues and events
1994 5A Champion[12] Current issues and events
2002 5A Runner-up[13] Poetry interpretation
2004 5A Champion[14] Ready writing
2004 5A Runner-up[14] Headline writing
2004 5A Runner-up[14] Current issues and events team
2006 5A Champion[14] Poetry interpretation
2011 5A Champion[14] Prose interpretation

UIL Athletic State honors

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Year Class Award Event
1929 N/A Champion[15] Boys' 220 yard low hurdles
1960 4A Champion[16] Boys' pole vault
1963 4A Champion[17] Boys' 180 yard low hurdles
1987 5A Champion[18] Boys' 110m hurdles
1987 5A Champion[19] Boys' 100m dash
1987 5A Champion[20] Boys' 200m dash
1995 5A Semifinalist[21] Baseball
1997 5A Champion[22] Boys' high jump
1999 5A Runner-up[23] Boys' 300m hurdles
1999 5A Runner-up[24] Boys' wrestling, weight class 130
1999 5A Runner-up[24] Boys' wrestling, weight class 215

National Speech and Debate Tournament honors

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From the National Speech and Debate Association:

Year Event Award
1993 International extemporaneous speaking 11th place[25]
2000 Humorous interpretation 7th place[26]
2012 Dramatic interpretation National champion[27]
2017 Dramatic interpretation 12th place[28]

Texas Forensic Association State Tournament honors

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From the Texas Forensic Association:

Year Event Award
2009 Duo Interpretation 6th place[29]
2011 Sweepstakes 5th place[30]
2011 Duo Interpretation State champion[31]
2011 Duet Acting 3rd place[30]
2012 Duet Acting State champion[32]
2012 Duet Acting 6th place[33]
2012 Duet Acting 8th place[32]
2012 Duo Interpretation 5th place[33]
2012 Duo Interpretation 7th place[32]
2012 Dramatic Interpretation 5th place[33]
2017 Dramatic Interpretation State champion[34]

Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest State honors

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Year Award Category
1983 Outstanding Performer[35] Vocal
1983 Outstanding Performer[35] Vocal
1991 Outstanding Performer[36] Medium Ensemble
1994 Outstanding Performer[37] Medium Ensemble
1995 Outstanding Performer[38] Medium Ensemble
2002 Outstanding Performer[39] Trumpet
2016 Outstanding Performer[40] Violin (Mariachi)

Notable alumni

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(includes Grand Prairie High School and Dalworth High School)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "GRAND PRAIRIE H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "Population, Texas Cities". Texas State Library. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  3. ^ "Wikimapia - Let's describe the whole world!".
  4. ^ "1953 Grand Prairie High School Yearbook". www.classmates.com. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  5. ^ "Handbook of Texas Online, University of North Texas College of Music". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 27, 2007.
  6. ^ "2009–2010 Academic Excellence Indicator System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  7. ^ "2010 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011.
  8. ^ "2011 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency.
  9. ^ "UIL Team Debate State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  10. ^ "1989–90 State Academic Meet Results – Calculator Applications". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  11. ^ "1992–93 State Academic Meet Results – Current Issues & Events". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  12. ^ "1993–94 State Academic Meet Results – Current Issues & Events". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  13. ^ "2001–02 State Academic Meet Results – Poetry Interpretation". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  14. ^ a b c d e "State Academic Meet Results Database". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  15. ^ "UIL Boys Track & Field State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  16. ^ "UIL Boys Track & Field State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  17. ^ "UIL Boys Track & Field State Champions". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  18. ^ "1987 State Track Meet Results – 100/110 Hurdles". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
  19. ^ "1987 State Track Meet Results – 100m". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  20. ^ "1987 State Track Meet Results – 200m". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  21. ^ "1994–95 Baseball Playoff Results". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  22. ^ "1997 State Track Meet Results – High Jump". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  23. ^ "1999 State Track Meet Results – 300 Hurdles". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  24. ^ a b "UIL State Wrestling Meet Records". University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  25. ^ "Unknown title", NFL Rostrum, National Forensic League, September 1, 1993
  26. ^ "NFL Rostrum – September 2000" (PDF). National Forensic League. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  27. ^ "NFL Nationals Results - 2012" (PDF). National Forensic League. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  28. ^ "NSDA Nationals Results - 2017" (PDF). National Speech and Debate Association. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  29. ^ "2009 TFA State Results - Duo Interpretation" (PDF). Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  30. ^ a b "2011 TFA State Results". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  31. ^ "2011 TFA State Results". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  32. ^ a b c "2012 TFA State Results". Texas Forensic Association. Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  33. ^ a b c "2012 TFA State Results - Duet Acting". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  34. ^ "2017 TFA State Results - Dramatic Interpretation". Texas Forensic Association. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  35. ^ a b "TSSEC Outstanding Performers – Vocal". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  36. ^ "1990–91 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on June 15, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  37. ^ "1993–94 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on June 14, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  38. ^ "1994–95 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  39. ^ "2001–02 TSSEC Outstanding Performers". University Interscholastic League. Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
  40. ^ "2015-16 Mariachi Festival Pilot Outstanding Performers" (PDF). University Interscholastic League. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  41. ^ "Sixth Texas Hall Of Fame Class Named". trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  42. ^ "Jack Thomas Sanders Obituary 2016". Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory.
  43. ^ "Lonnie Hannah, disabled tennis, sled hockey champion, at Lakeshore to 'give back'". AL.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  44. ^ "Kerry Wood Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
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32°45′16″N 97°00′08″W / 32.75444°N 97.002159°W / 32.75444; -97.002159