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Eagan High School

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Eagan High School is a public four-year high school in Eagan, Minnesota. The school is a member of Minnesota Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District). It is also affiliated with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and is a member of the Lake Conference. It was constructed next to Dakota Hills Middle School and shares common access to a man-made pond, an auditorium, a stadium and various other municipal parks and sports facilities. The two schools are connected at a shared entrance, the so-called "South Entrance". At the same time, the two schools are separate entities, and interaction between the student bodies is shunned for the most part. Eagan High School is most commonly referred to as "EHS".

The high school's mascot is the Wildcat, signified by the colors blue, green and silver. The school's fight song is derived from the Notre Dame tune and is played at each "pepfest" or "peprally". The school is located in the far east central part of the city of Eagan on Braddock Trail near Diffley Road. Originally, before the school was built, locals went to either Rosemount High School, Burnsville High School, Henry Sibley High School or Apple Valley High School. Portions of the City of Eagan are still in other neighboring school districts such as the far northern portion where local youth attend Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights. The far Western section of Eagan belongs to the school district of Burnsville High School in Burnsville and the southern border of Eagan is in the school district of Eastview High School in Apple Valley. The student body is grades 9 through 12 and has over 2,300 students enrolled. Academics are organized into a trimester system with seven class periods each day.

Two of the school's icons known as "Putz and Klutz" make frequent appearances at school-sponsored spirit activities, such as the Homecoming Pep-Fest, played by two of the school's most prominent teachers, whom are both widely considered student favorites. As a study-hall tradition that has been passed down through the years, misbehaved students will sometimes plaster the cafeteria walls with "cream cheese bombs" as a tribute to a small group of students that were once referred to as "the study-hall bandits" by the school administration. The identities of the members and the time period during which they originated this study-hall ritual are not accurately known. As a result, they are now considered legendary and are occasionally a popular topic of Eagan High School folklore.

The Minnesota educational system allows for upperclassmen students to take different paths through their final years of high school. First, Post-Secondary. With this option, a student may enroll in a Minnesota college or university and take instruction there. The High School must cover the cost of the credits and books. It is a valuable option that some students take advantage of. Alternatively, EHS offers various "College-in-the-Schools" courses through the University of Minnesota. Students have the opportunity to receive college-level curriculum in Advanced Placement courses. Offered courses include CIS Honors Freshman Composition, Introduction to Literature, Spanish, French and German. Many students take advantage of these opportunities.

Contents

History

The high school was opened in the fall of 1989 and the first class to graduate from Eagan High School was the class of 1990. The first principal was Dr. Thomas Wilson. Wilson held the position for over the first ten years of the high schools existence. Upon Dr. Wilson's retirment in 2002, a controversial replacement Dr. Jane Stewart was appointed. Almost the entire faculty walked out in protest of a meeting with the new principal. Dr. Stewart stepped down for personal reasons shortly thereafter, and long-time Assistant Principal of Fine Arts Polly Reikowski was promoted to Principal.

Since its creation, several referendums as well as departmental fundraising allowed for the construction of a fully operational television studio within the school. The main purpose of the studio was the ability to rent out the equipment for student or community projects, but the construction of the studio also allowed the school to create a weekly closed circuit television series called "Eagan AM."

During the 2002 Winter Olympics, EHS student Natalie Darwitz participated on the American national women's hockey team that took the silver medal that year. Her jersey is now displayed in the EHS main foyer.

In 2004, the long-delayed planned construction of additional classrooms began in order to alleviate some of the over-crowding that had begun over the preceding years. Construction was a long and difficult process; administrators claimed it would be completed by spring 2005, but only finished after the start of the following school year.

Eagan High School stresses technology in everything it does, a standard laid down by Eagan's former Principal, Dr. Thomas Wilson, and embodied by its motto "Technology-Enhanced Education with the Human Touch." There is a wireless system for teacher internet access throughout the building, and many computer labs are found within the walls. Eagan High School's T.V. program is called Eagan AM, and is aired every Thursday morning. This show features the popular "Teachers Cribs" every year.

Extra-Curriculars

Eagan's speech and debate programs rank highly annually in various competitions, and several national champions have been instructed in this high school. In addition, the varsity volleyball team has won several state championships. The Drumline team also makes virtually annual trips to nationals in Ohio, often faring well.

The MUSE, the literary arts magazine of EHS, is printed on a yearly basis, taking submissions from the student body.

Eagan Fight Song

We are from Eagan; stand up and cheer.
Wildcats are roaring year after year.
Send a victory shout on high.
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
Yes, we're the wildcats and we are great.
Onward to glory; fame is our fate.
Blue and Green and Silver waving
Onward to victory!
W-I-L-D-C-A-T-S, E-H, E-H-S

Other District 196 High Schools

Awards

External links

 

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