Central Dauphin High School
Encyclopedia
Central Dauphin High School is a public high school located in Harrisburg
, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
one of two high schools in the Central Dauphin School District
, and the first built in the school district.
Between 1955 and 1972, renovations and additions were added to the school, including the science wing, a planetarium, and a new cafeteria. In 2003, the planetarium was named for the school's highly inspirational and influential teacher Dennis Phillippy, however was demolished in 2007.
In the late 1990s, overcrowding in the Central Dauphin School District resulted in a proposal to merge Central Dauphin High School with nearby rival Central Dauphin East High School. The proposal was opposed by Central Dauphin High School and was later voted down by the school board (after its removal in the election the week before). In 2000, the school board voted to build a third high school, but in a sudden turnaround by the school board, it was decided that the district would have only two high schools. A new facility was to be built, and it would be named Central Dauphin High School.
In the 2004-05 school year, the high school moved from its Locust Lane, Lower Paxton Township
location to its current Piketown Road, West Hanover Township
location. The old building was renovated, and it is now being used as Central Dauphin Middle School.
Since 1955, the yearbook has been called the Centralian. The school newspaper is called the Rampage.
Central Dauphin High School is one of the largest public high schools in south-central Pennsylvania and holds graduation ceremonies at the Giant Center
in Hershey, Pennsylvania
.
In 2004, former President
George W. Bush
visited the school, making a speech in the auditorium.
Graduation rate
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $15,027 for the program.
rules.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital...
one of two high schools in the Central Dauphin School District
Central Dauphin School District
The Central Dauphin School District is a large, suburban, public school district located in suburban Harrisburg, Pennsylvania serving students in central and eastern Dauphin County. It is the largest school district in the county, the largest in the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area and is the...
, and the first built in the school district.
History
The school, built in 1955, replaced the former Lower Paxton High School. The school was named Central Dauphin High School, for the school district. Central Dauphin School District was created in 1957, and this merger of several school districts was completed by the opening of Central Dauphin High School.Between 1955 and 1972, renovations and additions were added to the school, including the science wing, a planetarium, and a new cafeteria. In 2003, the planetarium was named for the school's highly inspirational and influential teacher Dennis Phillippy, however was demolished in 2007.
In the late 1990s, overcrowding in the Central Dauphin School District resulted in a proposal to merge Central Dauphin High School with nearby rival Central Dauphin East High School. The proposal was opposed by Central Dauphin High School and was later voted down by the school board (after its removal in the election the week before). In 2000, the school board voted to build a third high school, but in a sudden turnaround by the school board, it was decided that the district would have only two high schools. A new facility was to be built, and it would be named Central Dauphin High School.
In the 2004-05 school year, the high school moved from its Locust Lane, Lower Paxton Township
Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Paxton Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The township was incorporated in 1767 from Paxton Township...
location to its current Piketown Road, West Hanover Township
West Hanover Township, Pennsylvania
West Hanover Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,505 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.4 square miles , of which, 23.4 square miles of it is land and...
location. The old building was renovated, and it is now being used as Central Dauphin Middle School.
Since 1955, the yearbook has been called the Centralian. The school newspaper is called the Rampage.
Central Dauphin High School is one of the largest public high schools in south-central Pennsylvania and holds graduation ceremonies at the Giant Center
GIANT Center
The Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League since 1938...
in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
.
In 2004, former President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
visited the school, making a speech in the auditorium.
Academic achievement
The Central Dauphin Senior High School achieved AYP status in 2011 and in 2010.Graduation rate
- 2011 - 96%
- 2010 - 92%
- 2009 - 89%
- 2008 - 92%
- 2007 - 92%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2011 - 73% on grade level, (11% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010: 79%, State - 67%
- 2009: 73%, State - 65%.
- 2008: 79%, State - 65%
- 2007: 67%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 74%, on grade level (11% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 82%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 69%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 67%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 56%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science
- 2011 - 47% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 55%, State - 39%
- 2009 - 50%, State - 34%
- 2008 - 48%, State - 39%
College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 37% of Central Dauphin School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher EducationPennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per 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...
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual enrollment
The high school offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $15,027 for the program.
Graduation project
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.Extracurriculars
The high schools offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policy. The school sports are also governed by 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....
rules.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
Athletics
Central Dauphin High School has teams for the following sports: football, rugby, field hockey, soccer, golf, tennis, volleyball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball, wrestling, swimming, diving, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and cheerleading.Music Program
Central Dauphin's music program consists of five bands, five choirs, and two orchestras. Bands include a symphonic, wind, two jazz bands, and a marching band. The choirs include an all boys choir, three all-girls choirs, and a mixed ensemble, as well as a newly added Jazz Choir. The two orchestras are symphonic and string. Each part of the music department holds several concerts throughout the school year, including the annual spring musical, and seasonal concerts held in the auditorium. In the spring, students are able to volunteer their time to try out and participate in the pit orchestra for the annual musical.Current clubs
Central Dauphin offers a number of clubs. Students can create new clubs with the principal's approval.- Amnesty International
- Art Club
- Book Club
- Centralian (Yearbook)
- Central Dauphin Green Power Club
- Christians in Action
- Debate Team
- ETC (Evolution of Television Comedy)
- Fall play
- FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
- French Club
- Friends of the Swamp (local environmental issue)
- German Club
- GSA
- Hope Club
- Indoor Guard/Majorettes/Drumline
- Japanese Animation and Culture Club
- Key Club
- Latin Club
- Marching Band
- Mock Trial
- Model UN
- Quiz Bowl
- Rampage (Newspaper)
- Rams Shed (school store)
- SADD (students against destructive decisions)
- Science Olympiad
- Ski Club
- Spanish Club
- Student Council
- Students for a Democratic Society
- TATU (teens against tobacco use)
- Volunteen
- Web Team (maintaining school website)
- Four Diamonds (fights cancer through various fundraising activities)
- Central Dauphin Ice Hockey Rams
- Central Dauphin Big Horn Rugby
- Green Power Club
Notable alumni
- Jeremy LinnJeremy LinnJeremy Porter Linn , set an American record in the one hundred meter breaststroke category while winning the silver medal in that event at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia....
- Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer 4x100m Medley Relay, Silver Medalist 100m Breaststroke Atlanta 1996 - Marty ReidMarty ReidMarty Reid is an American television sportscaster who has worked for ESPN since 1982.Reid is currently the lead television announcer for ESPN on ABC's coverage of the IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500, and was the lead announcer for ESPN and ABC's NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage for the...
- Espn Nascar Broadcaster - Michael BoyerMichael BoyerMichael Boyer is an American actor and showman who has been living the role of the Pied Piper of Hamelin in Germany, for nearly 15 years now...
- Actor and showman living in Germany - Marc Freedman - Creator of the MyLink500 site and Moderator of LIONLinkedIn Open NetworkerA Linked In Open Networker is a member of the business-oriented social networking site LinkedIn who positively encourages connections from some members or any other member, whether or not they have had a previous business relationship. The abbreviation LION™ is used, and is usually placed...