Upper Dublin High School
Encyclopedia
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
. 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.
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.
.
As a graduate of UD - class of 1989, I never ever remember singing the Alma Mater. To be honest I didn't even know there was one!
and is owned by nine school districts in Eastern Montgomery County
, Pennsylvania
. They include Abington
, Bryn Athyn
, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham
, Jenkintown
, Upper Moreland
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.
(PIAA), the state high school athletic governing body. The school has 14 male varsity sports and 13 female varsity sports recognized by PIAA. The school also has a cheerleading squad. There is also an Ice Hockey Team representing Upper Dublin, although they are not directly associated with the school.
'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."
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Fort Washington
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Fort Washington is an unincorporated census-designated place and suburb of Philadelphia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,446 at the 2010 census.-Prior to the Revolutionary War:...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the sole high school in the Upper Dublin School District
Upper Dublin School District
Upper Dublin School District is located in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.-General information:The school district operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, and serves students in grades K-12. The professional staff has an average of 16 years...
.
Upper Dublin High School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
. In 2007, the school was named the #1 high school in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
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
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
. 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.
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 MaterAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
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
.
As a graduate of UD - class of 1989, I never ever remember singing the Alma Mater. To be honest I didn't even know there was one!
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 option 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 GroveWillow Grove, Pennsylvania
Willow Grove is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township...
and is owned by nine school districts in Eastern Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. They include Abington
Abington School District
The Abington School District covers the Borough of Rockledge and Abington Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The district operates Abington Senior High School , Abington Junior High School , Copper Beech Elementary School, Highland Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Overlook...
, Bryn Athyn
Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Bryn Athyn is a home rule municipality, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was formerly a borough, and its official name remains "Borough of Bryn Athyn". The population was 1,375 at the 2010 census...
, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham
Hatboro-Horsham School District
The Hatboro-Horsham School District is located in Montgomery County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It encompasses an area of approximately with a population of 30,774...
, Jenkintown
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
Jenkintown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles north of downtown Philadelphia. "Jenkintown" is also used to describe a number of neighborhoods surrounding the borough, which also are known by names such as Rydal, Jenkintown Manor and Noble...
, Upper Moreland
Upper Moreland School District
Upper Moreland School District is located in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Township has a general population of 25,000 residents who are served by the post offices of Willow Grove, Hatboro, and Huntingdon Valley, although due...
Lower Moreland, Springfield
Springfield Township School District
Springfield Township School District is a public school district serving the following communities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania:*Springfield Township:**Oreland**Flourtown**Erdenheim**Wyndmoor-Elementary schools :...
, and Upper Dublin
Upper Dublin School District
Upper Dublin School District is located in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.-General information:The school district operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, and serves students in grades K-12. The professional staff has an average of 16 years...
.
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 and AAA member of the Suburban One American Conference of District 1 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic AssociationPennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
(PIAA), the state high school athletic governing body. The school has 14 male varsity sports and 13 female varsity sports recognized by PIAA. The school also has a cheerleading squad. There is also an Ice Hockey Team representing Upper Dublin, although they are not directly associated with the school.
- Baseball - AAAA
- Basketball - AAAA
- Bowling - AAAA
- Cross Country - AAA
- Field Hockey - AAA
- Football - AAAA
- Golf - AAAA
- Indoor Track & Field - AAAA
- Lacrosse - AAAA
- Soccer - AAA
- Softball - AAAA
- Swimming and Diving - AAAA
- Tennis - AAA
- Track & Field - AAA
- Volleyball - AAA
- Wrestling - AAA
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 TwainMark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
'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
Nigger
Nigger is a noun in the English language, most notable for its usage in a pejorative context to refer to black people , and also as an informal slang term, among other contexts. It is a common ethnic slur...
" made "black children uncomfortable."
Notable alumni
- Kim GallagherKim GallagherKim Ann Gallagher was an American track & field Olympian, who participated in two Summer Olympics...
(Class of 1982) -- Sprinted 800 meters to a silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a bronze in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Died in 2002 at age 38. - Suzy KolberSuzy KolberSuzanne Lisa "Suzy" Kolber is a football sideline reporter, co-producer, and sportscaster for ESPN. She was one of the original anchors of ESPN2 when it launched in 1993. Three years later, she left ESPN2 to join Fox Sports, but rejoined ESPN in late 1999....
(Class of 1982) -- ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
"Monday Night Football" sideline reporter and host of "NASCAR Countdown." - John TartagliaJohn TartagliaJohn Nicholas Tartaglia is an American singer, actor, dancer, puppeteer.Tartaglia was born in Maple Shade, New Jersey, U.S.. He joined Sesame Street's puppetry team at the age of 16 part-time, performing as a right hand and many minor characters, including Phoebe and being the backup for Kevin...
(Class of 1996) -- Tony Award nominee for Avenue QAvenue QAvenue Q is a musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty and the show was directed by Jason Moore and produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, and Jeffrey Seller...
and star of Disney Channel's Johnny and the SpritesJohnny and the SpritesJohnny and the Sprites is a musical television show aimed for preschoolers that airs every weekend on the "Playhouse Disney" program of The Disney Channel. The show was created for, is produced by, and stars John Tartaglia . The show's theme song was written by Stephen Schwartz...
. - Zach PfefferZach PfefferZach Pfeffer is an American soccer player who currently plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.-Career:...
(Class of 2013) -- Midfielder, Philadelphia Union.