Upper Dublin High School

Infobox_School
name = Upper Dublin High School


motto =
established = 1955
type = Public
affiliation =
district = Upper Dublin School District
grades = 9-12
president =
principal = Charles Rittenhouse
dean =
faculty =
staff =
students =
enrollment =
athletics =
conference =
colors = cardinal red and gray
mascot = Clyde the Cardinal
rival school = Wissahickon High School
free_label = Yearbook
free_text = "Mundockian"
free_label2 =
free_text2 =
location = 800 Loch Alsh Ave
Fort Washington, PA
information = [phone]
website = [http://www.udsd.org/page.cfm?p=18 Upper Dublin High School website]

Upper Dublin High School is a four-year public high school located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the sole high school in the Upper Dublin School District.

Upper Dublin High School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education. cite web|url=http://www.udsd.org/page.cfm?p=18|title=Upper Dublin: Points of Pride|accessdate=2007-10-14] In 2007, the school was named the #1 high school in Montgomery County by the "Philadelphia Inquirer". The school was also ranked #8 in "Philadelphia Magazine's" 100 Best Public and Private Schools.

The high school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The school has a 99%+ graduation rate, and more than 95% of graduates continue on to a two or four-year college. Upper Dublin High School is represented at each service academy and almost all top universities.

History

Removal of "Huckleberry Finn" from curriculum

Upper Dublin High School was the subject of controversy when in July 1996, then superintendent Dr. Claire Brown Jr. announced that Mark Twain's book, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" would be removed from the school's required reading list. Brown removed the book as an administrative action, claiming that parents and students had protested the inclusion of the book in the curriculum because its frequent use of the word "nigger" made "black children uncomfortable." cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=2P04HB8AJtMC&pg=PA191&lpg=PA191&dq=%22Upper+Dublin%22+high+school+bans+huck+finn&source=web&ots=7SYaTNso1n&sig=JZFrDOovVxgMnDcp5zkQBm3kvis|title=Banned in the USA: A Reference Guide]

High school construction project

After months of deliberations, the school board decided to move forward and proposed to rebuild the high school. On March 20, 2007, the voters in Upper Dublin were presented with a referendum. They approved, despite the risk of a significant tax increase. Initial estimates of the new construction is $119 million. The construction will occur in stages on the site of the current building. It is expected to be completed by 2012. Demolition of the oldest wing began in summer 2008.

Philosophy statement

The following is the philosophy statement of the Upper Dublin High School:

Today's high school graduate must live in a rapidly-changing milieu of high technology, the social ramifications of which are yet to be discovered. There is a consistent bombardment of information which does not always lead to knowledge. There is a continual emergence of diverse patterns of family/community living which can further disrupt value structures.

We believe that in order for our students to become contributing citizens in a democratic society and in the world community in such times, they must develop the skills to listen with an open mind, to think critically, and to express themselves effectively. It is important that they do so from a humane, knowledgeable, and responsible perspective.

Such attributes are firmly centered in self-knowledge and self-discipline. They are most favorably enhanced within a context of a rich learning environment, staff collaboration, and shared responsibility with parents and community.

Alma Mater

The words of the Upper Dublin High School Alma Mater were written by members of the Class of 1964, and set to music by Mr. Robert C. Foust. The Alma Mater is played and sung during homeroom on Friday mornings, and at special ceremonies, such as homecoming and graduation.

:"Hail Upper Dublin Senior High,:"Spirit and loyalty,:"Cardinal and gray,:"Leading the way:"Onward to victory,:"First in our hearts and minds are you,:"Proudly our colors fly,:"Onward in life we go from you:"Our Upper Dublin High .

Educational Support Team

The Educational Support Team (EST) is a team of faculty members offering assistance to students who are having problems in school because of drug and alcohol use or because of depression or thoughts of suicide. The Team identifies, intervenes, and refers those students for help.

Community Study

Students in the senior class are provided with the opportunity to investigate career opportunities in the final three weeks of the year. Students are required to have a community sponsor, a faculty sponsor, at least a "C" average in each course, meet attendance requirements, and have committee approval in order to participate in the Community Study Program.

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology

Students at Upper Dublin High School have the ability to attend the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, which is accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools. The campus is located in Willow Grove and is owned by nine school districts in Eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. They include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Upper and Lower Moreland, Springfield, and Upper Dublin.

Programs taken at the Eastern Center are considered part of the high school program and count as elective credit toward graduation. They give students the opportunity to reinforce their career path after high school, get ready for employment, and get a head start in collegiate studies in that field.

Graduation requirements

Each student at Upper Dublin High School is required to earn 21 credits to be eligible for graduation, 19 of which are in major subjects. In grades 9-12, each student is required to take a minimum of 5 major courses and physical education each year. In addition, health and driver education are required to graduate. Students must pass the required courses and accumulate sufficient additional full credit electives to satisfy the minimum requirements.

Athletics

Upper Dublin High School is a AAAA member of the Suburban One American Conference of District 1 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), the state high school athletic governing body. The school has 16 male varsity sports and 14 female varsity sports.
*Baseball
*Basketball
*Bowling
*Cheerleading
*Cross Country
*Field Hockey
*Ice hockey
*Football
*Golf
*Indoor Track
*Lacrosse
*Marching Band
*Softball
*Spring Track
*Swimming and Diving
*Tennis
*Volleyball
*Wrestling

Notable alumni

*Kim Gallagher (Class of 1982) - U.S. Track Olympian.
*Suzy Kolber (Class of 1982) - ESPN Monday Night Football Sideline Reporter.
*John Tartaglia - Tony Award nominee for "Avenue Q" and star of Disney Channel's "Johnny and the Sprites".

References