EAST HIGH SCHOOL RECORDS 1876-1989

East High School, originally known as Denver High School, began as part of Denver’s first public school in June 1872. Called the Arapahoe School, it accommodated both elementary and high school students. With many students living far from the school it took a few years for student activities to take hold. The Woodbury Medal prize, field trips to Morrison, Colorado, dances and the school’s literary society, the Lyceum Club, were the only student activities. In 1876, the high school had four teachers and held mandatory entrance exams for each eighth grade student to advance to high school. In 1877, the seven graduating seniors elected the school colors of red and white.

As the Arapahoe School student body grew it became apparent that a new high school was needed. By 1882, only the south wing of a new building at 19th and Stout was completed. The high school moved into that section while construction continued. Once completed in 1889, it was listed in Baedeker’s Guidebook as one of the show places of the West. Although it was famed for its decorative architectural elements, the school lacked a gymnasium, cafeteria, shop building and supplies for science classes. The Arapahoe School remained open as an elementary school until 1890, when it closed and was eventually razed.

After moving into the new school, the Attic, another literary society was created. Each produced journals called The Lyceum Star and The Attic Sun. East High School, still called Denver High School, continued to grow. When the first middle school in Denver opened in 1917, the Latin School, or Old Broadway School, was closed and integrated into East High.

The class of 1925 wast the last to graduate from the 1886 Denver High School building, or Old East. Old East was demolished, and the new building, or New East, was dedicated on September 25, 1925. The new building located at 1600 City Park Esplanade, remains the current East High School. Speech contests like the Woodbury, Wolcott, Kiwanis Oratorical, Stevens Oratorical and Shafroth Extemporaneous competitions were widely popular.

The remainder of the 20th century was one of continued growth and development. The years also brought much social and cultural change to the school. As of 2012, there were approximately 2,200 students enrolled in the school.