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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

East High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
East High School is a high school formerly in the Memphis City Schools district, but now in the Shelby County Schools district in Memphis, Tennessee, serving grades 9 to 12. East High School is an all-optional school, with whose T-STEM programs offers opportunities to study transportation and logistics, engineering, and aviation. East High School partners with local universities to support Dual Enrollment for students to earn college credits while in high school.

History

Early years

The current main building was designed by architect Everett D. Woods after WWII as an elementary, middle, and high school for East Memphis. Construction began in 1946 and the first classes of grades K-10 took place in 1948, with 11th and 12th grade being added in 1949 and 1950 respectively.

1975–1999

In 1976 a separate building was built adjacent to East's rear parking lot, originally housing East VoTech. Another smaller building was built in 1984. It connects to the East VoTech building and houses facilities for the main school. 1984-1985 was also the last year for the elementary school, with the classrooms being given to the secondary and high school section.

2000s

The location of the former annex as it is today.

In March 2003 the Annex was demolished. An elevator and six ADA accessible restrooms (2 per floor) were built in its place.

A $12.8 million renovation was completed during the summer of 2007. The renovation was started in October 2005 with the renovation of the auditorium; the windows were bricked over, ADA accessibility features were added, the wooden seating was replaced with plastic ones, and a new media booth was built in the rear of the auditorium. The renovation also included drop ceilings throughout the entire school; new fluorescent lighting, HVAC, and water pipes located within the drop ceilings; and new tile flooring in the halls.

In January 2017, East High announced its T-STEM Optional Program, partnering with University of Memphis, FedEx, and AutoZone to develop a new curriculum. The decision was made due to low enrollment. The following fall, the T-STEM Academy was established, with all non-qualifying students being rezoned to other high schools. It is the first T-STEM school in SCS.

On April 19, 2021, SCS revealed their "Reimagine 901" facilities plan. The plan involves the creation of more K-8 and 6-12 schools to smoothen building transitions for students. The following spring, it was announced that Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, also known as MSSA, would be relocated to East High School. MSSA shared a building with Middle College High School at 750 East Parkway. The relocation was completed before the fall 2022 school year despite resistance.

Demographics

As of the 2021-2022 school year, East High School has an enrollment of 573 students.

  • Asian - 0.7%
  • Black - 70.0%
  • Hispanic - 7.3%
  • White - 14.7%
  • Multiple Races - 7.3%

Athletics

The sports teams of East High are known as the Mustangs (and Lady Mustangs for girls' teams).

The basketball team won three consecutive state titles between 2016 and 2018 under Penny Hardaway, before he began coaching for the University of Memphis. In September 2022, East High was fined nearly $15,000 by the TSSAA and stripped of 2018-19 post-season titles after Hardaway was found to have violated recruiting rules in bringing James Wiseman to East High from Nashville.

Memphis East Mustangs Athletic State Championships- Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Sports
Season Sport Number of Championships Year
Fall Golf, Boys 1 1955
Football 2 2016, 1999
Winter Basketball, Boys 8 2017, 2016, 2012, 1996, 1988, 1983, 1982, 1979
Spring Track and Field, Girls 7 2001, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1989
Total 18

Notable alumni