Laurel Highlands High School
Laurel Highlands High School is a public high school serving around 1,100 students in grades 9–12 from the outlying Uniontown, Pennsylvania city limits. Due to the campus' location, some students from Uniontown do attend Laurel Highlands for convenience.
| South Union High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| |
300 Bailey Avenue Uniontown , Pennsylvania 15401 | |
| Coordinates | 39°54′26″N 79°42′36″W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public High School |
| Opened | 1972 |
| School district | Laurel Highlands School District |
| NCES District ID | 4213320 |
| Superintendent | Dr. Jesse Wallace |
| NCES School ID | 421332006600 |
| Principal | Mr. John Diamond |
| Faculty | 75 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 928[1] (2016-17) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 15:1 |
| Color(s) | |
| Athletics conference | WPIAL (PIAA District VII) |
| Mascot | Mustangs |
| Nickname | LH |
| Rival | Uniontown Albert Gallatin |
| Feeder schools | Laurel Highlands Middle School |
| Website | Laurel Highlands High School |
Creation and history
Laurel Highlands High School was created in 1967 by merging rival high schools, North Union and South Union. Students attended high school in their respective buildings until completion of the current campus in 1972. Minor upgrades were performed to the school in 1994. The most recent structural update was completed in 2015 with a $43 million renovation.
Academics
According to the schools Curriculum Guide[2] students need 25.5 credits in order to graduate, as well as complete a graduation project and career portfolio.
Credit structure
| Subject Area | # Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4.0 | Academic English I, II, III, IV |
| Social Studies | 4.0 | Civics, World History, American History, Political Science/Recent US History OR Geography/Economics |
| Science | 4.0 | Biology and three Science electives |
| Mathematics | 4.0 | Minimum of: Algebra 9, Algebra 10, Geometry 11, and Algebra 12 |
| Health, Physical Education/Aquatics | 2.5 | Phys Ed. Each Year, Health in Sophomore Year |
| Arts or Humanities | 2.0 | Foreign Language, Art, Technology Education, Music, or Family/Consumer Science |
| Freshman Seminar | 0.5 | Grade 9 Required Course. |
| Other Areas | 4.5 | Courses vary depending on which curricula the student participates in or if goes to Fayette County Career and Technical Institute. |
| TOTAL | 25.5 |
Course offerings
- English
- Social Studies
- Science
- Mathematics
- Physical Education/Health/Aquatics
- World Language: Including courses in French, Spanish, and Foreign Cultures
- Business Education: Including tourism courses
- Air Force/JROTC
- Technology Education: Including courses in CADD, as well as an introductory course to the Natural Gas industry in the area.
- Family/Consumer Sciences
- Music
- Art
- Driver's Education
Vocational Education Opportunity
Students in Grades 10–12 have the opportunity to attend the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute in Georges Township for one-half day, each day while attending their home school the other half of the day.
Athletics
| Sport | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Class AAA | |
| Basketball | Class AAA | Class AAA |
| Cross Country | Class AAA | Class AAA |
| Football | Class AAA | |
| Soccer | Class AA | Class AAA |
| Golf | Class AAA | |
| Swimming and Diving | Class AAA | Class AAA |
| Track and Field | Class AAA | Class AAA |
| Softball | Class AAA | |
| Wrestling | Class AAA | |
| Volleyball | Class AAA |
Notable alumni
- Dr. Peter M. Rhee, the Physician to Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the other patients in the 2011 Tucson shooting graduated from Laurel Highlands in 1979.
- Wil Robinson, former ABA basketball player, All-American at West Virginia University
- Terry Mulholland, MLB pitcher for many teams over a 21-year career
- Kaleb Ramsey, drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 7th round of 2014 draft.
- Gus Gerard, former ABA and NBA player. 1975 All rookie first team, 1976 ABA All Star.
- Dr. Mark Esper, class of 1982, Esper attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated from West Point in 1986 as a dean's list student and recipient of the MacArthur Award for Leadership. Esper was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and various service medals. In 2019, Esper became the 27th United States Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump.
- David Nehls, actor, singer, composer and lyricist, graduated in 1982
References
- "Laurel Highlands SHS". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
- "High School Curriculum Guide" (PDF). Laurel Highlands School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.