Grand Prairie High School
Encyclopedia
Grand Prairie High School is a public high school in Grand Prairie, Texas
, the seventh-largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
and 17th-largest in Texas. It is one of two high schools serving the 37-campus Grand Prairie Independent School District
, which encompasses the Dallas County
portion of Grand Prairie.
In 2010, the school was rated "recognized
" by the Texas Education Agency
.
Due to dramatic growth in the student population, GPHS opened a Ninth Grade Center in 2002 at the southwest corner of the campus. The original building now serves grades 10–12.
Warriors. It was remodeled and expanded in 2003–2004 and re-dedicated as the Gopher-Warrior Bowl, 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.
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
.
—
Grand Prairie, Texas
Grand Prairie is a city in Dallas, Ellis, and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas and is a part of the Mid-Cities region in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Grand Prairie is a suburb of both Dallas and Fort Worth and had a population of 175,396 at the 2010 census.- History :The city of...
, the seventh-largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
and 17th-largest in Texas. It is one of two high schools serving the 37-campus Grand Prairie Independent School District
Grand Prairie Independent School District
Grand Prairie Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas, United States.GPISD is a district serving more than 22,000 students within the Dallas County portion of Grand Prairie. The district boasts 36 campuses, including 23 elementary schools, seven...
, which encompasses the Dallas County
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
portion of Grand Prairie.
In 2010, the school was rated "recognized
Texas Education Agency accountability ratings system
The Texas Education Agency accountability ratings system rates all public schools, charter schools, and school districts in the State of Texas.The criteria are the same for schools and districts, and are discussed below...
" by the Texas Education Agency
Texas Education Agency
The Texas Education Agency is a branch of the state government of Texas in the United States responsible for public education. The agency is headquartered in the William B...
.
History
| 1902 | Grand Prairie Independent School District established |
|---|---|
| 1904 | 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 |
Classroom facilities
Following construction of the original building in 1951, 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 original building now serves grades 10–12.
Athletic facilities
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 Gopher Bowl is a true bowl-shaped stadium, situated below ground level. Since 1969, it has also been the site of the home football games of the South Grand Prairie High SchoolSouth Grand Prairie High School
South Grand Prairie High School is a suburban, public high school in the city of Grand Prairie, Texas . It is part of the 36-campus Grand Prairie Independent School District.-Characteristics:* Four-year comprehensive public high school...
Warriors. It was remodeled and expanded in 2003–2004 and re-dedicated as the Gopher-Warrior Bowl, 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
The 2000-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
Leon Breeden
Harold Leon Breeden , known as Leon Breeden, was a jazz studies educator at the collegiate level, a classical and jazz clarinetist, a saxophonist, a prolific composer and arranger, a music clinician, and jazz festival judge...
. Following his tenure at GPHS, Breeden achieved international recognition as the director of the world-renowned jazz program
One O'Clock Lab Band
The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
at the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
.
Demographics
Grand Prairie High School had the following demographic profile during the 2009–2010 school year in grades 10–12:| 72.7% | Latinos |
|---|---|
| 14.7% | Anglo-American |
| 10.6% | African-American |
| 1.6% | Asian or Pacific Islander |
| 0.4% | Native American |
UIL Academic State honors
| Year | Class | Award | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | 2A | Champion | Team Debate |
| 1990 | 5A | Runner-up | Calculator Applications |
| 1993 | 5A | Champion | Current Issues and Events |
| 1994 | 5A | Champion | Current Issues and Events |
| 2002 | 5A | Runner-up | Poetry Interpretation |
| 2004 | 5A | Champion | Ready Writing |
| 2004 | 5A | Runner-up | Headline Writing |
| 2004 | 5A | Runner-up | Current Issues and Events Team |
| 2006 | 5A | Champion | Poetry Interpretation |
| 2011 | 5A | Champion | Prose Interpretation |
UIL Athletic State honors
| Year | Class | Award | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | N/A | Champion | Boys' 220 Yard Low Hurdles |
| 1960 | 4A | Champion | Boys' Pole Vault |
| 1963 | 4A | Champion | Boys' 180 Yard Low Hurdles |
| 1987 | 5A | Champion | Boys' 110m Hurdles |
| 1987 | 5A | Champion | Boys' 100m Dash |
| 1987 | 5A | Champion | Boys' 200m Dash |
| 1995 | 5A | Semifinalist | Baseball |
| 1997 | 5A | Champion | Boys' High Jump |
| 1999 | 5A | Runner-up | Boys' 300m Hurdles |
| 1999 | 5A | Runner-up | Boys' Wrestling, Weight Class 130 |
| 1999 | 5A | Runner-up | Boys' Wrestling, Weight Class 215 |
—
Speech and Debate
| Year | Competition | Award | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | National Forensic League National Tournament | 11th Place, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking | |||
| 2000 | National Forensic League National Tournament | 7th Place, Humorous Interpretation | |||
| 2009 | Texas Forensic Association State Tournament | Finalist Duo Interpretation http://www.joyoftournaments.com/tx/tfa.state/2009/DUO.pdf |
2011 | Texas Forensic Association State Tournament | State Champion, Duo Interpretation |
Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest State honors
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Outstanding Performer | Vocal |
| 1983 | Outstanding Performer | Vocal |
| 1991 | Outstanding Performer | Medium Ensemble |
| 1994 | Outstanding Performer | Medium Ensemble |
| 1995 | Outstanding Performer | Medium Ensemble |
| 2002 | Outstanding Performer | Trumpet |
Notable alumni
(includes Grand Prairie High School and Dalworth High School)- Michael MoseleyMichael MoseleyMichael Moseley may refer to:*T. Michael Moseley , retired United States Air Force four-star general*Michael E. Moseley, American anthropologist at the University of Florida...
, Chief of Staff of the United States Air ForceChief of Staff of the United States Air ForceThe Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Air Force, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Air Force, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the...
(2005–2008) - Randy GallowayRandy GallowayGeorge Randolph "Randy" Galloway is the host of Galloway and Company, the drive-time program on KESN 103.3 FM, ESPN Radio's Dallas affiliate and also heard on ESPN Xtra on XM Radio. He is also a sports columnist for the Ft...
, Dallas/Fort Worth ESPN RadioESPN RadioESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
host and Fort Worth Star-TelegramFort Worth Star-TelegramThe Fort Worth Star-Telegram is a major U.S. daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. Its area of domination is checked by its main rival, The Dallas Morning News, which is published from the eastern half of the Metroplex. It is owned...
columnist - Charley TaylorCharley TaylorCharles Robert Taylor is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984....
, member of Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
and former Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
wide receiver - Kerry WoodKerry WoodKerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher and 1998 National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Rookie of the YearMLB Rookie of the Year AwardIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946... - Michael Keasler, Texas Court of Criminal AppealsTexas Court of Criminal AppealsThe Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the court of last resort for all criminal matters in the State of Texas, United States. The Court, which is based in the Supreme Court Building in Downtown Austin, is composed of a Presiding Judge and eight judges....
Judge - Charles England, Mayor of Grand Prairie
- B. Glen Whitley, County Judge of Tarrant County, Texas
- E. P. SandersE. P. SandersEd Parish Sanders is a New Testament scholar, and is one of the principal proponents of the New Perspective on Paul. He has been Arts and Sciences Professor of Religion at Duke University, North Carolina, since 1990. He retired in 2005....
, leading New TestamentNew TestamentThe New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
scholar and retired Duke UniversityDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
professor - Ronald L. Berry, former Director of Mission Support, Space Shuttle ProgramSpace Shuttle programNASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called Space Transportation System , was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011...
- Fred Knox, Joint Strike FighterBoeing X-32The Boeing X-32 was a multi-purpose jet fighter in the Joint Strike Fighter contest. It lost to the Lockheed Martin X-35 demonstrator which was further developed into the F-35 Lightning II.-Background:...
Chief Test Pilot, Boeing Corporation - Dave Clark, 1960 Olympian1960 Summer OlympicsThe 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
, Pole Vault - Lonnie Hannah, member of 20022002 Winter ParalympicsThe 2002 Winter Paralympics, the eighth Winter Paralympics, were held in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, from March 7 to March 16, 2002. A total of 416 athletes from 36 nations participated....
gold-medal-winning and 20062006 Winter ParalympicsThe 2006 Winter Paralympic Games, the ninth Winter Paralympics, took place in Turin, Italy from 10 to 19 March 2006. These were the first Winter Paralympic Games to be held in Italy. They were also the first Paralympics to use the new paralympics logo....
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- Dennis BurkleyDennis BurkleyDennis Henry Burkley is an American character actor from Texas who has appeared in numerous films and television series since the 1970s.-Early life:...
, actor - Chris Allen, 2011 Emmy Award Winner for Most Outstanding Commercial